The Role Of Katniss Everdeen In The Hunger Games

Later when Hunger Games series came out in 2012, it was considered to be the first film to be revolutionary for stereotypical female roles in the mainstream cinema. Not only did the Hunger Games break the stereotypes, but it is also a film which is one of the highest grossing films of all times on the box office with a female protagonist. Hunger Games is about a 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen who is independent in all forms, which Twilight has never shown (Ellis, 2014). In Twilight, there is much support of the other fellow characters to form the character of Bella. For Katniss in Hunger Games, this isn’t the case. Katniss’s character is shown to be as equal as a man’s character: she hunts, provides food for her family and is an archer. Her

Two participants, one boy and one girl, between the ages of 12 and 18, are annually selected from each the district to fight in the Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister is initially selected as one of the participants, Katniss volunteers to aid instead of her. Right from the opening scene of the film, Katniss is portrayed as the man of the house. She is confident, with a clear opinion. She is the protector of the family and fulfills this role till the extent to endangering her own life – just like a man, the protector and provider of a traditional household. In scene 1 of appendix 3, we see Katniss in a close up shot, where we can see a strong eye contact for the male character on the other side of the scene. Her eyes convey rebellious behavior and attitude due to the helplessness of her situation. In this scene, Katniss and Peeta Mellark – the male elected participant from Panem – are transported to Capitol, for the games. Katniss is shown as to have the freedom to express her feelings and anger. This is revolutionary in itself, since her character does not adhere to patriarchal stereotypes. Her characteristics are also not limited to any gender or powered positional figures in the film. Likewise, in scene 2 of appendix 3, we see Katniss and Peeta in the opening ceremony of the Hunger Games. In this scene, Peeta tries to

By taking the dominant role as the head of the family, she is assigned to a typically male role of being the bread-winner. But still, she also displays the feminine characteristics whilst interacting with her family members. For example, the bond between Katniss and her younger sister, is of a nurturing woman. She sings songs to her younger sister and gives love to her like a protective motherly elder sister. An obvious example of Katniss’ masculinity is her skill for archery, which is a skill that is usually given to boys. In many scenes throughout the film, Katniss is shown to take tough decisions as a strong independent woman, in order to protect herself, or the loved ones around her. But these decisions are solely based on her affection for thus people, which again is a visible feminine quality. One such scene is added in appendix 3, as scene 3. We can see Peeta and Katniss both in a cave. He is laying on the ground, wounded, whereas Katniss is shown to be sitting next to him, providing support. In the very instant, the participants are ordered to commence on another location to collect goods they need to win the game. Katniss gets up to leave and Peeta tells her that she shouldn’t risk her life for him, by facing the dangers by herself. On this point, Katniss tells him: ‘’Wouldn’t you do it for me?’’ (The Hunger Games, 2012). This is a strong depiction of how the stereotypical gender roles