Kaylim

In the novel
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen fights for the
sake of unravelling her true identity in the dystopian country of Panem. Suzanne
Collins illustrates to the reader how important it is to keep your identity under control
in an oppressive state. Collins uses setting, symbolism and conflict to portray the idea
of oppressed identity.
In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to The Seam. One of the poorest
districts of Panem and is unfortunately, the most oppressed district in the country.
Katniss personality was shaped solely to serve as a provider for her family. Shes
always known that life wasnt the way she'd expected. Though Katniss didnt realize,
she grew up liberated and taught how to live off nature, this made her brave
"When I
was younger, I scared my mother to death, the things I would blurt out about District
12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the
Capitol. Eventually I understood this would only lead us to more trouble. So I learned
to hold my tongue and to turn my features into an indifferent mask so that no one
could ever read my thoughts. Katniss actions were always disavowed from her
mother as she knew that one day the government would have to shut Katniss up for
indecent act against the Capitol and for an act of treason. Evidently the government is
scared of the first spoken word, Like the Mockingjay, things get around easier.

Food was always a trouble for the Everdeen family as it was very scarce and very
expensive. Katniss ability to hunt was founded by her late father, who made it easier
for the family to survive the famines that most families have to endure. Food is the
foundation of a feared strength. For example, hunting is an illegal activity in Panem,
but if done without getting caught trading with others for the sake of survival
commandeers the power from the Capitol and gives districts more flexibility and more
strength to unify, ...
Fancy rolls would mean another trade with the baker, perhaps for
two or three squirrels. This signifies that food can bring people together, that food is
culturally and socially important to strengthen a community. If food were to be
restricted that means that there will be a reluctance to fight back for the freedom that
district 12 solemnly aspires for.

Katniss identity is masked by her gender role whilst she is in the Capitol. Katniss was
brought up to look after herself and provide for her family, a role which is taken up by men.
As her identity is oppressed, Katniss has to live like a queen, prim and proper. She has to
look enticing and beautiful towards the public eye to be displayed as a traditional female
character. Evidently, we dont know of Katniss gender until her name is mentioned in
chapter one. As Katniss new identity kicks in, so does her confusion, shaping her insecurity
and mistrust with those around her. Katniss then realizes that the people of the Capitol are
like aliens. She is unrecognizable because of her natural beauty which is tainted by the
beauty treatment she receives from her prep team My legs, arms, torso, underarms, and
parts of my eyebrows have been stripped of the stuff, leaving me like a plucked bird, ready
for roasting. In a scene, Katniss also questions who she is, because of her confusion with
her true identity and the one that has been chosen for her,
I stare at the mirror as I try to
remember who I am and who I am not.