Mollie Richards

Kathryn Dach

The Hunger Games

Call to adventure:​ Prim gets picked at the reaping to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games
and her sister Katniss volunteers as tribute for her spot. (14:48)
Explanation:​ In this scene, all of the people of District 12 are very nervous and anxious to see
who will be drawn to represent their district in the annual Hunger Games. Prim Everdeen, the
sister of Katniss Everdeen, is drawn to be chosen during her first reaping where she is eligible to
be picked. However, Katniss is the leader of the family and will not let her baby sister be
involved in these deathly games, so she steps forward and volunteers as tribute for her sister. The
director uses the gray coloring and close up angles to depict the nervous and sad environment of
the scene. The close up angles give the viewer a in depth look at the reaction and shock Prim is
in when her name is called and the reaction Katniss gives as well.

Supernatural aid:​ Haymitch, a previous District 12 winner of the Hunger Games, gives advice
and mentors Katniss and Peeta for their first games. (22:56)
Explanation:​ With Katniss and Peeta going in for their first ever Hunger Games, they have no
idea what to do and what to expect. So, each team is given a mentor who is a previous winner
and they are given Haymitch. At the first meeting, he is a drunk who seems to be giving to help
or advice to the tributes. However, as time goes on, Haymitch begins to see the spark in them,
especially Katniss, and does everything he can to help them succeed in the games. The director
uses the sound effects to show the clanking of his glass and his drinking problem as well as his
harsh and short words of advice. Haymitch evolves as a character by starting out completely
useless and pessimistic to becoming very helpful and encouraging.

Crossing the threshold:​ As Katniss moves on the train to the games, she is starting her journey
of the Hunger Games. (28:11)
Explanation:​ Once Katniss volunteered as tribute for Prim, she knew what she was getting into,
but it didn’t seem real. Throughout the course of their ride to the Capitol, each minute becomes a
step closer to crossing the threshold and making this experience becoming a reality. Katniss
begins to ponder her thoughts and realize the fact that she needs help from Haymitch. The
director uses the pale lighting to convey a feeling of poverty and helplessness throughout the
train ride. Also, the sound effects given off by the train provide a feeling of anxiousness.
Belly of the whale:​ This marks the start of the Hunger Games in the inclosed arena. (1:08:35)
Explanation:​ The games begin, marking a new ‘life’ and ‘rebirth’ that Katniss must be the lone
survivor of in order to win the games. In this scene, it becomes surreal to Katniss that she is
actually part of the games and she gets very frightened as the clock is counting down to the start.
This moment is very significant because she is standing in a surreal arena along 24 other tributes
awaiting the start of this journey for life or death. The director uses to countdown to cause the
viewer to become frightened and nervous for what is to come in the games. Also, the use of the
setting invite the viewer to be a part of the journey that Katniss will take on.

Road of Trials:​ Throughout the Hunger Games, Katniss goes through many different challenges
that come for her and she has to work to get sponsors. (1:20:41)
Explanation:​ Throughout her journey, Katniss goes through many challenging and difficult tasks
to get closer and closer to being the victor of the games. Before the games, she is required to
enter in the opening show as the ‘girl on fire’, which shows to frighten her because she says she
doesn’t want to burn to death. Also, prior to the games, Katniss has to learn how to fight and she
practices her skills needed to have a chance in the games. Throughout the games, some trials that
she goes through include the mutant wasps, the instant forest fire, the attack by the other tributes,
and the fight for materials. The director uses setting to convey the terrible challenges that come
after Katniss and the viewer can tell by the camera angles that she is scared to death.

Meeting with Goddess:​ Katniss gets bit by mutant wasps and Rue, another tribute, saves her
and heals her for the 2 days she is passed out. (1:31:12)
Explanation:​ When Katniss gets stuck in a tree and trapped in by other tributes who are awaiting
her departure so the can kill her, she doesn't know what she will do to save herself. However,
while in the tree, she looks over and sees Rue who tells her to saw the mutant wasp nest from the
tree which will hopefully kill some of the tributes below her. As this happens, Katniss gets put
herself and has hallucinations which eventually cause her to pass out for two days. While passed
out, Rue saves the day and helps to heal her wounds and keep her alive, so she can hopefully get
farther in the games. The director uses special effects to give off the effects of the fire and
explosions which causes the viewer to become more intrigued in these scenes.

The Temptress: ​Katniss risks her life to go to the cornucopia to get the medicine to save Peeta’s
life. (1:54:15)
Explanation:​ With the announcement that there can be two victors if they are from the same
district, Katniss finds Peeta and immediately there is a spark between them. Peeta has been
slashed and is going to die without medicine, so Katniss knows she must get the offer of the
medicine from the cornucopia. However, Peeta tempts her aways by telling her not to go, but she
must go in order to save his life and while receiving the medicine, Katniss goes through many
near-death experiences. The director uses dialogue to show the life saving moment that Katniss
goes through with Rue’s fellow tribute who chooses to not kill her.

Apotheosis:​ Katniss and Peeta attempt to eat the poisonous berries and the capital stops them
and declares them both as the victors relieving much stress from them. (2:08:50)
Explanation:​ With the new rule of two tributes from the same district being able to win, Katniss
and Peeta work together and eventually become the last ones standing. At this moment, you can
see the amount of excitedness and relief in their eyes that they have made it to end. However,
there is a new announcement saying only one will go home, but to break the system, Katniss
decides to have them both eat the poisonous berries, which would kill them and the capitol
immediately stops them and declares them winners. The relief and nervousness the characters
went through within those two minutes is very obvious in the camera angles and acting. The
director uses sound effects of the quietness and birds chirping to give off a sense of suspense
during the scene.

The Ultimate Boon​: Katniss wins the Hunger Games which means she achieved her goal of
surviving for her family and district. (2:09:10)
Explanation:​ All along, Katniss seemed to doubt herself even with the recognition of others with
her survival skills. The acting in the movie gives off the feeling that Katniss had a hard time
believing in herself and never thought this moment would come true. As the speaker announces
that she has won the annual games, the camera angles and sound effects help to give off the fact
that she is completely in shock. This scene marks the completion of the journey she has been
fighting for around two weeks. Katniss was mostly worried about the starvation of her family
with her departure to the games and this moment meant everything would be better with not only
herself, but her family.

Crossing the Return Threshold:​ Katniss realizes that her new relationship with Peeta might
interfere with her relationship with Gale and she is afraid of what will happen. (2:12:45)
Explanation:​ With the new relationship Katniss has made with Peeta, she is not sure how she
feels and whether or not it is for the cameras or for themselves. As she goes through many
interviews about the games, when talking about Peeta, the sound effects and dialogue depict the
second-thoughts she seems to be having. At home, her best friend and potential boyfriend, Gale
awaits and she does not seem to want to face the facts with him of what has happened with her
and Peeta. By crossing the return threshold, this moment of her relationships colliding are
coming surreal and are being to be a culture shock.
Magic Flight:​ Katniss tries to convince the world they did this out of love and not to cheat for
President Snow to win the games. (2:10:08)
Explanation:​ With the new District 12 winners, Katniss and Peeta making their way to the
Capitol for the parties and interviews post Hunger Games, they are finally closer to going home.
This short experience provides a quick, but heartfelt journey home. After coming back from
these games, life will never be the same and they need to convince the world that they are only
reason for what they did was pure love. However, throughout the games, the two seemed to use
love as a cheat to win the games. Considering this, they need to convince their people along with
President Snow what should be known. The director uses dialogue to convey the points that
Katniss makes to the world about their ‘true love’.

Master of Two Worlds:​ Katniss has achieved her goals because she is the victor and is also
mentally and physically safe. (2:13:08)
Explanation:​ Katniss has now reconciled her experience on her journey of the Hunger Games
and she is a survivor. She has mastered her literal two worlds, the Hunger Games, and her own
life and no can take on whatever challenges come in her way. The director uses characterization
to depict her evolvement of a character. Katniss began as an innocent and fierce girl to this
strong woman who can fight anything in her way. Katniss is now a true hero who represents her
District well and she has achieved her goals.
 The Alchemist
Call to Adventure: ​“And suddenly, the child took both hands and transported me to the
Egyptian pyramids.” (Coelho 15)
Explanation:​ Santiago’s dreams that spark his interest and his call to adventure for his future
journey. This dream where he is in an abandoned church and a child tells him to go to the
Egyptian Pyramids is recurring for him and it shows the true calling for Santiago to start this
journey. Coelho uses foreshadowing in this passage to show how this dream will soon become a
reality. The constant sign of a recurring dream is now coming in to play. The universal truth in
this is that our dreams can help us to identify our callings and who we truly are. Santiago has
found his calling and he is going to go find his Personal Legend.

Refusal of the Call: ​“While standing at the ticket window, the boy had remembered his flock,
and decided he should go back to being a shepherd.” (Coelho 28)
Explanation:​ Santiago is having second thoughts about this journey and is starting to refuse the
call. He wants to leave all of this behind and go back to being just a shepherd. Santiago has
always been a shepherd and leaving everything, especially his sheep is causing him to not want
to go. With just the dreams, Santiago had not fully committed to this journey and he also does
not want to leave behind his family during this quest. Many thoughts begin to enter his head and
the King of Salem’s words cause him doubt whether or not he should go chasing for this
unknown treasure and his Personal Legend. Coelho uses dialogue to show the thoughts going
through Santiago’s head and the effect the people at the window are having on him. The
universal truth in this passage is that change is difficult and leaving your everyday life can cause
second thoughts.
Supernatural Aid:​ “Don’t forget that everything you deal with is the only one thing and nothing
else. And don’t forget the language of the omens. And, above all, don’t forget to follow your
Personal Legend through to its conclusion.” (Coelho 33)
Explanation:​ When meeting with King Melchizedek, Santiago is helped and encouraged to find
his Personal Legend. He is given two stones called the Urim and Thummim and when unable to
read the omens, they will help Santiago. This meeting helped Santiago to realize that he needs to
make his own decisions and find his Personal Legend. Coelho uses imagery in this passage to
depict the scenery and the meeting of Santiago and the King of Salem. A universal truth from
this passage would be to follow your instincts and not let the little things get in the way.

Crossing the Threshold:​ “Melchizedek watched a small ship that was plowing its way out of
the port. He would never again see the boy, just as he had never seen Abraham again….”
(Coelho 36)
Explanation:​ Santiago has made his departure to Africa which marks his crossing of the
threshold onto his newly awaited journey. The King Melchizedek had given him important
information which will help him greatly when finding his Personal Legend. Santiago wants to
find his treasure and that becomes known when he pays the King in sheep for information to help
him. Coelho uses dialogue between Melchizedek and Santiago to show the negotiation and
change in Santiago’s mind of what he wants. The universal truth given off by this passage is that
going for the unknown and risky challenges in life can have great and unexpected outcomes.

The belly of the whale:​ “I’m going to become bitter and distrustful of people because one
person betrayed me.” (Coelho 42)
Explanation:​ Santiago acted to quickly and got himself caught up in a situation in which he got
robbed. This robbery causes Santiago to develop many fears of this unknown land, strangers, and
his life ahead of him. Now, he does not have enough money for a ticket home and he is all alone
in this strange land. However, he decides to not let this ruin his journey and he needs to move
forward in this adventure. Coelho uses diction in this passage to depict the strong feelings
Santiago is having at the moment with no money left. A universal truth found from this is that
when it seems like nothing is working out, it’s important to be optimistic and work for your
goals.

The Road of Trials:​ “I can work for the rest of today,”, the boy answered. “I’ll work all night,
until dawn, and I’ll clean every piece of crystal in your shop. In return, I need money to get to
Egypt tomorrow.”
Explanation:​ Throughout the many tests and trials Santiago goes through while on his journey to
finding his treasure, one main one is the meeting of the crystal merchant. The crystal merchant
allows him to work for her and he sells tea inside the crystal glasses in order to make a profit. He
is in need of a profit so he can make his way over to Egypt. Also, Santiago works to adapt to the
desert life while on his journey. Coelho uses imagery to depict these passages and this causes the
reader to see what he is seeing with the crystal merchant and to feel the anxiousness, but also
determination given off by Santiago. The universal truth given off by this is that it takes large
amounts of hard work and effort to achieve the ultimate goal.

Meeting with The Goddess: ​“At that moment, it seemed to him that time stood still, and the
soul of the world surged within him… the language that everyone on earth was capable of
understanding in their heart. It was love.” (Coelho 95)
Explanation:​ Santiago and the Englishmen have traveled too Al-Fayoum, a desert oasis, to
escape from the tribe wars in desert and search for the mysterious Alchemist. In his search he
meets Fatima, and it's love at first sight. The next day he tells her he loves her, Santiago also
goes onto to explain how he has never felt this feeling before. Santiago is very connected with
the world, and one of the main ideas of the story is finding the universal languages of the world,
the author amplifies this in this quote by using personification of the world saying that the
worlds soul surged within him, he is not implying the world has a literal soul but the
personification of the world allows santiago's character to connect better too it on a powerful
level. Santiago explains the important universal language of love does not need words, it is
unspoken and felt on a deeper level. This teaches an important truth that love is not entirely
defined by actions, but also by unspoken communication in the universal language of love.

The Temptress: ​“He thought of all the married shepherds he had known. They had a difficult
time convincing their wives that they had to go off into distant fields. Love required them to stay
with the people they loved.” (Coelho 101)
Explanation:​ Santiago is being called by the Alchemist to be his apprentice, but that would mean
leaving his goddess Fatima in the oasis. He continues to think of more and more good reasons to
stay with her, and to ignore his personal legend. Ultimately Fatima, a goddess and a temptress,
wants Santiago to follow his personal legend of finding the universal language and soul of the
world. The love between Santiago and Fatima is strong enough to withstand this challenge, and
they both known Santiago must follow his fate. Coelho uses a form of an analogy and narrative
to compare Santiago's relationship with Fatima to that of the people around him, saying that
Fatima should be acting as his temptress and tempting him to stay happily at the oasis forever but
instead she wants only what is best for Santiago. This explains another truth of the universal and
unspoken language of love that in a relationship the other person's well being and happiness
should have an importance before selfish actions are taken.
Atonement with the Father: ​“ “Who taught you to speak the language of the desert and the
wind?” “My heart” the boy answered.” (Coelho 151)
Explanation Santiago,who has been an apprentice for the Alchemist in the desert for much time,
is trapped in a military camp. To escape, the Alchemist tells Santiago he must turn into the wind,
and after this accomplishment he will fulfill his personal legend. Santiago uses universal
language to speak too the elements of the desert and after much strife is able to turn himself into
the wind, and not only reach his goal but escape. Coelho uses the wind as a metaphor or symbol
of Santiago's ability to possess impossible abilities. In this quote even the wind itself questions
him, but Santiago knows his abilities and knows that he is worthy of freedom from the camp.
This portrays a universal truth that believing does not come from others but within yourself, this
is a truth that santiago has both struggled and stayed true too.

Ultimate Boon:​ “ It’s true, life really is generous to those who pursue their personal legends, the
boy thought” (Coelho 170)
Explanation:​ Santiago has ultimately fulfilled his personal legend, learned the universal language
of the world, and found his treasure. Santiago has finally reached his ultimate self, his life has
lead up too this moment and he is now one with world. The author uses characterization in this
quote to show Santiago's change in feelings and being now that he has reached his personal
legend, showing santiago in a better light of humor and happiness. A truth that can be learned
from this is that following through will take you far in life, as for santiago he faced many
challenges but stayed on path that led to completing his personal legend, understanding universal
languages, and discovering the treasure.
santiago knows the language of the world and he finds where the treasure is (finding himself)

Refusal of the Return: ​“If he wanted to, he could now return to the oasis, go back to Fatima,
and live his life as a simple shepherd.” (Coelho 165)
Explanation:​ Santiago has now found his profound treasure and is back in his hometown. He has
experienced everything he could have dreamed of. However, even though all of these goals he
started with have come true, he really just wants to stay with Fatima and not go back to his old
life. Coelho uses imagery to show the way Santiago is feeling and the life that he longs for with
Fatima. The universal truth is that the work it takes to get to the ending result may take a while,
but it’s all worth it in the long run.

Crossing the return threshold:​ santiago returns home and digs by the sycamore tree finding a
chest of jewels. “ He remembered the time he had been there with his sheep; it had been a
peaceful night … except for the dream.”(Coelho 169)
Explanation: ​ Santiago's has finally completed his journey and physically has returned home,
where his personal legend began and will soon end. He remembers all the people and things that
led him to where he is today, the alchemist, the king, the gypsea, and his dreams that led him
there. The author uses tone and diction, showing Santiago's nostalgic emotions at the time.
Santiago has missed home and still remembers his past life before he reached his personal
legend. A truth that can be learned from how Santiago feels is to never forget your humble
beginnings, everyone started with nothing before they became something.

Master of Two Worlds:​ “Instead it brought the scent of a perfume he knew well, and the touch
of a kiss-a kiss that came from far away, slowly, slowly, until it rested on his lips.” (Coelho 171)
Explanation:​ : Santiago has finally found his treasures and completed his incredible journey that
allowed him to understand the universal language of the world and complete his personal legend,
so he is now ready to return to the desert oasis. With his new found language, through the wind
he understands where Fatima is and now can discover and experience living with his newfound
magical abilities while also being with his goddess fatima. The Author uses imagery to describe
Santiago's remembrance and longing for Fatima, who he has dearly missed. Though this is more
metaphorical, a truth that can be found is that loved ones do not have to physically be there, like
with Fatima, as long they were in each other's heart they were always together.
 Works Cited
Coelho, Paulo. ​The Alchemist​. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. Print

Ross, Gary, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth,
and Suzanne Collins. ​The Hunger Games.​ United States: Alliance Film, 2012.