The government of Panem is a totalitarian one, which means that it has absolute power over its people. (Nazi Germany is a good example of a totalitarian government.) Yup, that's right. The government has total and complete control over every part of its citizens' lives, and the citizens get absolutely no say about any of it. No voting, no elections, no nothing. Any kind of rebellion is a HUGE no-no, and we learn that the Capitol set up the Hunger Games to remind people of that. Lots of the book, then, is about what it is like to live in a society where you've got to struggle to have any kind of voice at all, and speaking your mind could get you killed.
Questions About Politics
- What happened to District 13?
- What is the significance of District 12's three finger salute?
- What is an Avox? What does an Avox symbolize?
- Why did Katniss and Peeta's double suicide attempt anger the president?
- Is Katniss consciously trying to be a rebel? Would she make a good rebel leader?
- Aside from Katniss, do we see any other characters rebelling or displaying hints of rebellion?
- Why is it significant that Rue's district sends Katniss a gift? How is this action special? Is it an act of rebellion?