literary analysis essay hunger games

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins Literature Analysis Essay

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The modern world claims to be very sophisticated, empowered by the wisdom and experience of generations and multiple ways to address all possible conflicts and issues. Even though our society is filled with scientists and scholars, who study every aspect of our life daily, make achievements, create discoveries and inventions, draw conclusions and work out new strategies, out world is still undergoing dozens of unwanted problems that seem to be unpredictable for the scientists and researchers.

There is an opinion that some of these conflicts are being artificially created and enforced by various parties in order to achieve more influence or to pursue some personal interests. There also is a version that the unwanted problems tend to occur in our society due to the lack of knowledge or some systematical mistakes, which the scientists still do not know how to identify. One of the most important issues of the contemporary society is the growing gap between the social classes. This tendency has already been called a serious problem that may bring multiple negative results in the near future.

The movie called “The Hunger Games” is based on the three novels written by Suzanne Collins. It is a well known fact that the movie presents a story about a violent and cruel game young people from poor districts are forced to play in order to entertain the upper classes. In the beginning it seems that the main focus of the movie and the books is the game and surviving of the players, but actually, the basis and the causes of this brutal game lay in the confrontation between the classes of the society.

There are twelve of poor districts, where people are being neglected, where they starve and live in poverty, and there is another part of the society, the rich people living in luxury, the people, who are so bored that they ran out of entertainments and came up with the idea of Hunger Games. Social conflict in the story of “The Hunger Games” represents the issue that every country of our world has to face these days. This is the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor. In “The Hunger Games” this issue was taken to the extreme and the rich class is dominant in a cruel way, it oppresses the poor people, owns them and decides whose lives to take and when.

Gwartney, Patricia, A., Lynne Fessenden and Gayle Landt. “Measuring the Long- Term Impact of a Community Conflict Resolution Process: a Case Study Using Content Analysis of Public Documents”. Negotiation Journal , 18 (1) (2002): 51-74. Print.

This article was designed to explore the ways of conflict resolution through the application of social exchange theory and the ways of evaluation of the progress or success of the conflict resolution. The scientists noticed that short-term success is much easier to evaluate than the long-term success. There are criteria that offer the ground for making a definite conclusion about the results of conflict resolution, but even if the result was evaluated as positive – that does not guarantee that long-term effects of the conflict resolution will also be successful (Gwartney, Fessenden & Landt, 53).

The theory of social exchange is based on collaboration between the sides of the conflict. This kind of co-operation is very hard to achieve because in most situations the conflicting parties have multiple contradicting points of view and it is impossible to find aspects of agreement between them. The authors of the article state that in order to overcome a community or regional confrontation the relationships between the leaders of both sides need to be improved. The representatives of the leading forces need to find common ground and learn how to work together.

According to this point of view, in order to resolve the conflict in the society of “The Hunger Games”, the leaders of the Districts and the Capitol need to meet and find a compromise. The only thing necessary for the progress to happen in this situation is mutual desire of all sides to resolve the conflict. Yet, as it always happens, in the particular case of “The Hunger Games” there is a side that has a significant advantage and would like to keep it that way. In this case, there is no mutual desire to agree because one of the sides enjoys its position and is not willing to co-operate.

Christian, Diana, Leafe. “24 Common Sources of Community Conflict”. Communities, 128 (2005): 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35. Print.

This article presents twenty four causes of the conflicts in the society. All of the sources of disagreement identified by Diana Christian are very common and are the constant reasons of multiple problems in smaller communities, such as families, couples and roommates, and bigger communities such as regions of a country or members of a union between several states.

The author describes in detail several cases of conflicts between individuals caused by different reasons. According to the article, one of the best and most effective ways to resolve a conflict is communication, honest and open sharing of insights and complaints about various uncomfortable situations. Christian describes the lessons various members of the community learnt through participating in confrontations and heated arguments, observing other members having a disagreement and managing the conflict.

The author of this article points out how important it is to be flexible and ready to participate in the process of resolution, solve the problems by means of an honest conversation and making conclusions together (Christian, 35). This method is very helpful for smaller communities and the confrontations that have not been lasting for too long. Yet, when we take a look at the conflict of “The Hunger Games” – we notice that what people experience there is called the class war. It is not a minor misunderstanding between two spouses; it is a long lasting heated confrontation between crowds of people.

It has been going on for generations and many people have been involved. The confrontation caused sufferings and pain that cannot be forgiven with the help of one honest discussion. The conflict in “the Hunger Games” happened over money and power. Finding a compromise would mean that the abusing dominant party would, all of a sudden, realize that they were hurting thousands of people and change their policy. Unfortunately, even if this miraculous outcome happened, this would not guarantee the forgiveness from the side of the poor people, who lost their friends and relatives during this oppression and discrimination.

Both of the articles suggest similar ways of conflict resolution. The authors logically suppose that if the representatives of both conflicting parties find an agreement and common ground, the conflict will be over. To my mind, we should not forget that the leaders of dominant Capitol have been keeping the situation this way for a long time for a reason. The reason is – they like the way things are. In order to solve such enormous and complicated conflict, completely new leaders need to be involved and these leaders need to be supported at least by the majority of their sides.

Works Cited

Gwartney, Patricia, A., Lynne Fessenden and Gayle Landt. “Measuring the Long-Term Impact of a Community Conflict Resolution Process: a Case Study Using Content Analysis of Public Documents”. Negotiation Journal , 18 (1) (2002): 51-74. Print.

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The Hunger Games

Welcome to our literary analysis blog series focused on "The Hunger Games," the beloved dystopian novel series written by Suzanne Collins. This series has captivated readers worldwide with its intricate plot, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Our team of expert writers and literary analysts have delved deep into the series to bring you a comprehensive and insightful analysis of this modern classic.

In this blog series, we explore the complex themes of power, inequality, and oppression that underlie the narrative of "The Hunger Games." We examine the characters and their relationships, the symbolism and imagery used throughout the series, and the impact of the story on modern culture. From the Capitol's extravagant excesses to the Districts' struggles for survival, we leave no stone unturned in our examination of this epic tale.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of "The Hunger Games," our blog series offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the books. Our analysis is perfect for students and educators, literary enthusiasts, or anyone interested in exploring the themes and ideas that make this series such a timeless classic.

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:Text and analysis

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• NESA HSC English Syllabus This site includes past HSC exam papers, the subject syllabus and notes from the marking centre.

• Bloom's literature : Suzanne Collins The biographic entry for Suzanne Collins from the Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction. more... less... TAFE NSW username and password required
• Love Among the Ruins : How our awful future became the next big thing. By Lev Grossman. Time, 3/12/2012
• Dystopian novels : have you read one lately? Library Media Connection, Aug/Sep 2012
• Wikipedia : The Hunger Games A short summary of the books in The Hunger Games trilogy.
• The Hunger Games : Wikia A fan created community wiki site devoted to books and film adaptions of The Hunger Games trilogy. It includes sections on characters and plot.
• Cliff notes : The Hunger Games With sections on characters, chapter summaries and analysis, this site provides a useful overview of the novel.
• Time : PANEM's rebel : The star of the 74th annual Hunger Games A mock propaganda issue of Time Magazine promoting the 74th Hunger Games. It usefully demonstrates the manipulation of image and information in the world of Panem.
• The New York Times : Scary new world (book review). By John Green. 7/11/2008 A review of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and The dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer.
• The Artifice: The political message of The Hunger Games This article examines the political, social, cultural, and environmental messages contained in The Hunger Games.
• Revisiting Dystopia: the Reality Show Biopolitics of "The Hunger Games" (Academic article) This paper explores the dystopian imaginaries of the trilogy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and its film adaptations. It places the narrative into a genealogy of dystopian fiction concerned with the historical nation-state totalitarianism.
• The Hunger Games: An ecocritical reading (Academic article) This academic paper argues The Hunger Games "Recognises that the degradation of non-human nature through human action" as a major theme. It suggests a deep reading of this multilayered text "can broaden as well as change perspectives and trigger engaged debate". The paper also covers the critical issues of "consumer manipulation, media and celebrity culture".
• “In hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge”: Belly, bellum and rebellion in Coriolanus and The Hunger Games trilogy (Academic article). By Sara Soncini. Essays No. 15 05/2015 This article examines the link between Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and the shortage of food as ferment for rebellion in the districts of Panem.

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The Hunger Games

By suzanne collins.

'The Hunger Games' follows the story of young Katniss Everdeen who takes part in the dystopian battle royale in a post-apocalyptic nation.

About the Book

Article written by Neesha Thunga K

B.A. in English Literature, and M.A. in English Language and Literature.

The Hunger Games is the first in a series written by Suzanne Collins . Published in 2008, this novel is a young adult dystopian novel that received critical acclaim. Not only has it been adapted for film , but it has also been released as an audiobook and an ebook. The Hunger Games has won the California Young Reader Medal and was named one of the “Best Books of the Year” by Publisher’s Weekly in 2008.

Key Facts about  The Hunger Games

• Title: The Hunger Games
• Published: September 14, 2008
• Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian fiction, Science fiction
• Point-of-View: First-person limited
• Setting: The post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America
• Climax: Katniss and Peeta are forced to kill each other in the Hunger Games before a rule change is announced
• Antagonist: President Coriolanus Snow

Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins derived inspiration for The Hunger Games when she was channel surfing on television. She has stated that a reality show on one channel and the invasion of Iraq on another channel began to blur together “in this very unsettling way.” This is how she came up with the idea for the book.

Collins also drew inspiration from the Greek myth of Theseus, which was the foundation for the story. Katniss was envisioned as a futuristic Theseus in the wound of Panem. The Roman gladiatorial games were the inspiration behind the Hunger Games.

Collins also drew from her own life for elements of the story. For instance, the sense of loss that she felt when her father was drafted for the Vietnam war was echoed in the protagonist, Katniss, who lost her father when she was 11 years old.

Collins has also stated how she found it extremely difficult to write the dark parts of the story, such as the death of the young characters, while she found it enjoyable to write about the happier past of Katniss.

Books Related to  The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy set in the Hunger Games universe. It has been followed by two sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay , published in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The sequels have been well received by both critics and readers, with Catching Fire becoming a New York Times bestseller, and Mockingjay topping every single one of the bestseller lists in the US after its publication.

Catching Fire continues the story of the young protagonist, Katniss Everdeen in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. After the events of the first novel, a rebellion has begun against the oppressive Capitol , and Katniss and Peeta are forced to take part in a special edition of the Hunger Games once again. Mockingjay , on the other hand, captures the rebellion that brews against the Capitol , with Katniss as the leader of the rebellion.

The Hunger Games also has a prequel called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , which was published on May 19, 2019. The prequel follows the story of young Coriolanus Snow in the initial stages of the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is extremely similar in plot to Koushun Takami’s novel Battle Royale , published in 1999 – to the point where people have accused Collins’ work as a ripoff. However, Suzanne Collins had apparently never heard of this book until she got wind of these accusations, and decided not to read Battle Royale at the behest of her publisher.

Stephen King has compared The Hunger Games to his own novels, The Long Walk and The Running Man , while others have compared the novel to a 1953 short story written by Robert Sheckley called “ The Seventh Victim .”

Fans of The Hunger Games will also be intrigued by other young adult dystopian novels such as The Divergent series by Veronica Roth, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

The Lasting Impact of  The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was extremely well received by critics , authors as well as readers. Published with an initial print of 200,000 copies, the novel had sold almost 800,000 copies in just five months of its release. It became a worldwide sensation, and the rights to the novel were soon sold in 38 territories. The Hunger Games made the New York Times bestseller list within two months of release, where it continuously featured for more than 100 consecutive weeks. The novel also made the bestseller list of USA Today for 135 consecutive weeks and sold more than 17 million copies by March 2012.

A film adaptation of the same name was released in March 2012, serving to increase the popularity of the novel manifold. The Hunger Games also made Suzanne Collins the first young adult author to sell more than 1 million ebooks on Amazon Kindle, thus, making her the sixth author to take her place in the “Kindle Million Club.” By the time the film adaptation of the novel had been released, Suzanne Collins was named by Amazon as the bestselling Kindle ebook author of all time.

John Green , author of The Fault in Our Stars , praised the novel’s plot and pace in a review for the New York Times. He applauded the world-building in the novel as well as the complexities of the heroine. However, he also mentioned that while the book is rich in allegory, it does not realize its true allegorical potential. Time magazine also praised the “hypnotic quality of the violence” in the book, and stated that it was “chilling, bloody and horrifying.” Similarly, Rick Riordan, Stephenie Meyer, and Stephen King have all left positive reviews for the book, praising the plot, the action, and the characters.

The Hunger Games has received several accolades and honors. Not only was it named “Notable Children’s Book of 2008” by The New York Times, but it was also named one of the “Best Books of the Year” by Publisher’s Weekly. The novel received the Golden Duck Award in the Young Adult Fiction category in 2009. The Hunger Games was the 2008 Cybil winner for the genre of fantasy and science fiction along with Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book , as well as the Booklist Editor’s Choice in the same year.

The novel went on to win the California Young Reader Medal in 2011 and was named as the 33rd best book for children by Scholastic’s Parent and Child magazine, winning an award for “Most Exciting Ending” at the same time.

The novel was converted into an audiobook narrated by Carolyn McCormick in December 2008. It has been adapted for film by Lions Gate Entertainment, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in the roles of Katniss, Peeta, and Gale respectively. The film was hugely successful and the opening weekend alone raked in a record $152.5 million in North America.

The symbol of the Mockingjay, a fictitious Bird in The Hunger Games universe, (born by crossbreeding mockingbirds and jabber jays), has also left a lasting impact on popular culture. The cover of the novel designed by Tim O’Brien features a golden Mockingjay. This bird resembles the pin that is given to Katniss by the daughter of the District 12 Mayor. The pin is described as a golden bird attached to a ring only by the tips of its wings. The Mockingjay has entered the territory of fan merchandise, along with several other memorabilia from the novel.

Most significantly, The Hunger Games has shaped the world of Young Adult Fiction, leading to a tsunami of Young Adult novels in the contemporary period. Its popularity has been compared to the immense fame and influence held by the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series, and several YA writers across the world have acknowledged the impact that The Hunger Games has had on their own writing.

The Hunger Games continues to be well-loved across the world and has remained one of the top 5 best-selling Amazon Kindle books of all time.

The Hunger Games Review ⭐

The hunger games historical context 🏹, the hunger games character list 🏹, the hunger games quotes 💬, the hunger games themes and analysis 🏹, the hunger games plot summary 🏹, about neesha thunga k.

Neesha, born to a family of avid readers, has devoted several years to teaching English and writing for various organizations, making an impact on the literary community.

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The Hunger Games

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Division and Control

Panem is a dictatorship ruled by President Snow and predicated on authoritarian control. President Snow maintains his control by sowing division among Panem’s people—divvying up the country into twelve districts—and ensuring their dependence upon the government. Each of the districts specializes in producing particular goods—and only those goods—and therefore relies on centralized distribution in order to survive, and this dependence is further enforced through rules like the one against poaching, which prevents residents from augmenting…

Love, Loyalty, and Compassion

In the harsh environment of the Hunger Games, it is normal for tributes to form temporary “alliances” for strategic purposes, only to eventually kill their allies when the time comes. Yet though the Games turn tributes into brutal competitors who know only that they must kill or be killed, Katniss forms not alliances but relationships . First, she volunteers for the Games in place of her little sister, Prim . Because District 12 has a…

Societal Inequality

In The Hunger Games , social inequality occurs at all levels: throughout the nation of Panem, among the twelve districts, and among the inhabitants of any given district. It is this inequity that breeds strife and creates the main conflicts of the book. In Panem, for example, wealth is heavily concentrated in the hands of those living in the Capitol, and the result is that they can’t even comprehend the lives of the poor. The…

Appearances

The Hunger Games are set up as entertainment for the citizens of the Capitol and are essentially a very extreme reality television show. As with American reality TV, appearances matter a lot in the Hunger Games, and they don’t always depict reality. The tributes need to learn how to appeal to their viewers in the Capitol so that they can gather support from sponsors. In Katniss’s case, she pretends to be in love with Peeta …

By celebrating and watching the Hunger Games, the citizens of the Capitol suggest that the tributes, drawn from the districts of Panem, don’t deserve the same security and respect that the people of the Capitol do. They suggest that the tributes are beneath them. However, during the course of the Games, many of the competitors prove that they’re more capable of feeling genuine emotion—and acting on it—than the citizens of the Capitol who watch the…

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The Hunger Games Character Analysis

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The Hunger Games Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

Below you will find four outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins that can be used as essay starters. All four incorporate at least one of the themes found in “The Hunger Games” and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements offer a short summary of “The Hunger Games” in terms of different elements that could be important in an essay. You are, of course, free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of  important quotes from “The Hunger Games”  on our quotes page, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Topic #1: Morality in  The Hunger Games

In the novel, there is a very clear sense of right and wrong. The Capital killing children and growing rich of the toil of the people is obviously wrong. Katniss does what she must to survive and does kill other competitors. Morality is defined as personal or cultural values, codes of conduct or social mores; it has neither a good or bad connotation on its own. For this essay argue the role that morality plays in the novel. How does Katniss’ sense of morality affect the way that she plays the game? Is there a clear representation of Good and Evil in the novel?

Topic #2: Setting in  The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games  is set in a dystopian future for North America, a world called Panem. The use of setting is used to not only give a sense of the dismal world that Katniss finds herself but also to give history into how North America became so vastly different from the world we know today. Give examples of how descriptions of the setting set the tone for the novel. What are we told about the history of Panem that gives a sense of North America’s dystopian future? A dystopia is a repressive and controlled state. In what ways is Panem a dystopia? Are there any ways that Panem is not a dystopia? Use examples from the novel to support your assertions.

Topic #3:  The Hunger Games  and Beauty

  There are two different perceptions of beauty presented in the novel, those of the people of Seam and those of the people in the Capitol. The Capitol prides the beauty that people tend to pride today, youth, a lean figure and facial beauty. Seam finds attractiveness in what shows survival and wealth, such as a large belly showing an abundance of food or old age showing strength and longevity. What do you think the novel is trying to say about today’s perceptions of beauty? Do you think the novel favors one version of beauty over the other? Use examples from the novel to support your conclusions.

Topic #4:  The Hunger Games  and Relationships

In the novel, Katniss forms strong relationships with Gale and Peeta. Gale is a symbol of strength that is born out of a lifetime in poverty. Peeta is an example of selfless kindness. Throughout the novel, Katniss finds herself confused about her feelings for both of them. What do Gale and Peeta signify for Katniss? What do they have in common with Katniss? How do Gale and Peeta shape Katniss’ participation in the games? Does the novel stress one quality or relationship over the other? Why? Use examples from the novel to support your conclusions.

The Hunger Games

89 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Part 1, Chapters 6-9

Part 2, Chapters 10-14

Part 2, Chapters 15-18

Part 3, Chapters 19-23

Part 3, Chapters 24-27

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Katniss volunteers to save her sister. Was this worth it? Why or why not?

Are Katniss and Peeta any better off at the story’s end than before they became tributes? Why or why not?

Haymitch quickly decides to serve as a real mentor to Katniss. Why do you think that is, and what effect does this have on the story?

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The film begins with Katniss taking the place of her sister, Primrose who was chosen to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games. This is an act of both sacrifice and rebellion. Katniss clarifies that she is a person of character, and she will not play the game the same as others. This continues as Katniss fails to operate in the same manner as the other participants of the Games. She isn't seeking to kill people, but to stay alive and make allies. And as she does we learn that many of the participants, specifically the ones from less wealthy Districts, aren't seeking just to kill but to live. While those called the "Careers" are all from the wealthy districts and simply want to win and will kill anyone in any way they can.

When Katniss signals to the public, who are watching live stream, a three finger symbol it causes upheaval as the hand gesture is one of great respect and love for the one who has died. So when Katniss does this for a fallen participant of the Games she is signaling unity between districts which is the opposite of what President Snow seeks. Thus, by the end of the film Katniss becomes a symbol of rebellion to all those who know that President Snow's rule is one of a tyrant that must come to an end. And Katniss will be the one to lead the people against him.

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The Hunger Games (2012 Film) Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Hunger Games (2012 Film) is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What film making devices are employed to suggest that life is rough in District 12?

The movie starts by showing us two men, wearing lavish and expensive clothes, discussing the importance of hunger games. Later on, we see capital personnel, Effie Trinket, who has come to announce the tributes and again we see her dressed in...

How is Peeta characterized? How do you know?

Peeta Mellark is the male tribute chosen to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games, and Katniss's closest companion during the event. The son of a baker, Peeta belongs to the merchant class of the district. Peeta is an extremely kind boy, and...

How long do the tributes have to wait on the metal circles in the arena?

They must wait sixty seconds before they are released.

Study Guide for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

The Hunger Games (2012 Film) study guide contains a biography of director Gary Ross, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Hunger Games (2012 Film)
• The Hunger Games (2012 Film) Summary
• Character List
• Director's Influence

Essays for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

The Hunger Games (2012 Film) essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hunger Games (2012 Film), directed by Gary Ross.

• Media, Trauma, and Survival: Psychological Strategies in the Hunger Games
• Applying Hallie and Hobbes to “The Hunger Games": Philosophical Analysis

Wikipedia Entries for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

• Introduction

The Hunger Games: A Literary Analysis Essay

The first novel written for a young adult audience on record is the Swiss Family Robinson, written in 1812 by Jonathan David Wyss. This charming novel documents the adventures of a family stranded on an island, fight pirates, and exploration of the island. This genre had been slowing climbing its way up the genre ladder for popularity among readers with some major hits being the recent Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games trilogy. This genre covers several topics, in several different subgenres, but they all have one element in common, a main character is growing up.

This concept of the “bildungsroman” or coming of age story has graced the pens of famous writers such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain, and yet, young adult books still get flack for being too “mainstream” or shallow. As a writer of young adult, I find that I may have some bias, however, as a scholar of creative writing, I find that even a short story filled with relationships, fairies, and murder to have a spark of depth that truly brings the idea of “growing up” to the next level.

Within my short story, I have two characters, Cora and Bryce, whose story is told during two nightmarish nights. Cora and Bryce begin as scared little kids who grow into adults in a harsh world. “His expression changes into something darker. He would kill me, without hesitation. Kindness was a thing for children. I was never allowed to be weak; showing feelings in front of the Court was deadly”(Like 6). As a coming of age story, the evolution of Cora’s relationship towards Bryce is a vital part of the story.

The element of relationship is a major deal in the young adult genre. From friendship to romance, the concept of relationships is heavily drawn upon in young adult stories. It is in this discussion of relationships that we see the possibility of growth and change among the characters as children, and now as young adults. The purpose of young adult fiction is to create an entertaining story, filled with young characters that the audience can connect with, and for many young adults, there is nothing as entertaining and provides an emotional connection that with relationships.

Two series I mentioned earlier, Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, are driven by the connection of relationships. “But know this; the ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them in here”(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). Potter’s entire purpose for fight the Dark Lord is to save his friends. Every time Potter looses a comrade, readers ache with him. The series gives room for Potter to grow with those around him, and very much like Cora and Bryce, those relationships change.

In the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s rise to revolution begins with an act of sacrifice for her sister. This moves the entire story from an arena of children killing children, to a journey of love and sacrifice. Following this blueprint, young adult stories are not made to simply us emotion as a cheap trick to draw in readers, but to give another level of depth within the story altogether. The young adult story had certain expectations attached from the types of elements of the stories to the characters.

Genres are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres are invented and the use of old ones are discontinued. Often, works fit into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions” (Cram101). One of these genres, fantasy has expectations and conventions, such as fairies, and magic. Without these elements, the needs of the genre are not met, but that doesn’t mean every in the story is the same. While both the J. M.

Barrie’s famous Peter Pan stories and William Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream by William Shakespeare both contain fairies, however, these fairies are vastly different, and have significantly varying roles. Understandably so, it is not that genres are ground in these elements, but in order to reach their audience, they must take these genre elements into serious consideration, and be purposeful in changes to genre norms. In this short story, Cora is a nymph, which according to Merriam Webster “is a spirit in the shape of a young woman who lives in mountains, forests, meadows, and water”.

Bryce is forcibly turned into a version of a “changeling”, which according to Merriam Webster “a child secretly exchanged for another, usually in infancy”, however, in this case, a changeling can also be created if a child eats fruit of the fey(fairy) world. The magical world of the story (or glamour in this case) is mysterious, in which these characters live, can be seen in a few glimpses of the story. “I wouldn’t open the suitcase for all the world, not wishing to see the body without the layers of glamour he used to cover himself from the magic he gained for himself, and the Court to remain immortal”(Like 2).

This mixture of modern world and the magical world is a common motif in fantasy stories today, and allows themes of fantasy and reality to collide into a mixture of emotions, complications, and possibly a murder. In short stories, conflict comes early within this story. In the case of the short story, “Find Me”, the conflict comes into the story in the very beginning as the two characters bury a body in secret. The continual flashbacks within the story continue to give background information, developing the plot as well as the characters.

This allows for the audience to receive context for the events and characters in the short story. Within “Find Me”, and other young adult stories, there is the need to not only give background, but also introduce the conflict in the way there is both compelling and allows for the story to move towards an appealing conclusion. The idea of gradual conflict rising to a sudden conclusion is a classic motif of short stories, and so it is with the story, “Find Me”. Not unlike the longer works of Harry Potter and Hunger Games, short stories use motifs to build conflict. In the Hunger

Games, Suzanne Collins uses incidents a poisonous bug sting to create the setting for a flash back about her father’s death, and her mother’s depression that almost makes the family starve to death. This gives the story a chance to give background information about the main character, while also creating the tension that builds into the next scene. Just like in the Hunger Games, the story “Find Me” uses flash backs in order to build background and conflict. In conclusion, the idea of growing up is scary and complicated without adding fairies, magic, and murder to the mix.

Through these events, it is not solely the idea of breaking down the elements that make a story good, but the right combination of these elements in order to tell the compelling story that connects to the audience in an emotional level. In young adult fiction, it is the story about a young adult character growing up in all kinds of circumstances. As the writer Ben Okri once said, “Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger. ” Through a story, one can reflect upon ones own life, whether it is about the choices one makes, or just to escape into a really good story.

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