How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Hunger Games.
Quote #1
GALE: If no one watches, then they don't have a game. It's as simple as that.
Like our world, reality television holds enormous power in Panem. Everyone watches the annual Games. And, having decided that TV's a useful tool for controlling the population, the Capitol now needs to play by television's rules if they hope to hold on to power.
Quote #2
SNOW: This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.
This is what we call an excuse. He's citing heritage and tradition and all that jazz as the reason for the Games. In reality, it's just a raw exercise of power: we're killing your kids because we can. That should keep y'all in line if you're ever thinking of another uprising.
Quote #3
EFFIE: I think it's one of the wonderful things about this opportunity, that even though you're here and even though it's just for a little while, you get to enjoy all of this.
This is an expression of power that, frankly, isn't much better than throwing them into an arena and killing them. The nice things on the train just remind them of how little they have. The Capitol is happy to let them enjoy it for a few days instead of using those resources to make life better for people at home. As part of the power structure herself, Effie can't even see how ridiculous her words sound to Katniss and Peeta.