The Importance Of Appearance In The Hunger Games

How important is appearance in everyday life? At work? Or even at school? Although appearances do not affect one’s chance at survival in ordinary life, they undoubtedly are very important in The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins. As time goes by, Katniss and Peeta have to be more careful as to how they look and act when around the Capitol, or in front of the camera. Katniss and Peeta’s appearance, altered by the capital, is important for their survival before, during, and after the games.
In the Capitol of Panem, appearances are everything, especially the pre-games rituals, such as the chariot ride into the Capitol or the Gamemaker's scores on the tributes. Katniss and Peeta, both coming from a poor district, are not liked as the other districts are, such as Districts 1, 2, or 3, but this does not restrain their chatriot ride into the Capitol. “The crowd’s initial alarm at our appearance quickly changes to cheers and shouts of ‘District Twelve!’ Every head is turned our way, pulling the focus from the three chariots ahead. At first, I’m frozen, but then I catch sight of us on a large television screen and am floored by how breathtaking we look” (Collins 70). Katniss and Peeta were irresistible to look at on their chariot, creating a sense of fame. Their “famous”

Throughout the novel, this theme of appearances is portrayed in all areas, even when it is not expected. Evading the Capitol’s persecution with fake love and dazzling outfits, Katniss and Peeta live on, back in District 12, until they have to compete in the 75th Hunger Games. For the future of these characters, I hope they continue to defy the Capitol and cause rebellion in the Districts, creating an appearance of hope and defiance. Collins wrote a beautiful novel and this theme came to life with her descriptions of the victors’ outfits and her use of Katniss's thoughts and feeling about Peeta and the