In the study of politics and popular culture, works of fiction are often used as a reflection and form of criticism of social reality. The Hunger Games is a prominent example, as it is not merely entertainment, but also contains messages that criticize social inequality based on capitalism and authoritarian power systems.
In The Hunger Games, conflict and power emerge in a nation called Panem. Panem is a fictional nation formed in the former North American region following a major global catastrophe. Panem is divided into the Capitol, the seat of power, and 12 districts living in poverty. Every year, Panem holds a tradition called The Hunger Games---a life-or-death competition broadcast throughout Panem---as a tool of control and oppression by the rulers to instill fear and obedience in each district. In this competition, each district is required to send a randomly selected representative, who must then kill or be killed by representatives from other districts. One of the purposes of this competition is to serve as a reminder of the rebellion that once occurred in Panem society, while also demonstrating the dominance and power of the Panem government led by President Snow. (Goziyah & Amelia, 2021) Â Â Â Â
This paper will discuss how The Hunger Games uses class conflict, symbols of resistance, and an oppressive political system to critique capitalism and totalitarianism.
Capitalism That Creates Social InequalityÂ
Suzanne Collins' film The Hunger Games illustrates the ideology of capitalism through the stark class differences between the residents of the Capitol and the districts. This situation mirrors Karl Marx's theory in his book The Communist Manifesto about class struggle, where the bourgeoisie, i.e., the Capitol residents who control the means of production, oppress the proletariat, i.e., the poor district residents who are exploited and oppressed continuously. (Rihanggrahita, 2022)
The film highlights social injustice and exploitation through the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the Capitol residents, who are completely indifferent to the suffering endured by the district residents. Additionally, the rules enforced compel the districts to sacrifice one of their own as a means of maintaining the power of the ruling elite. This is in line with Karl Marx's idea that human history is a history of class struggle, where the ruling class always oppresses the lower class in order to maintain their power and economic gains.
Symbols of Resistance as a Response to InjusticeÂ
The inequality arising from the capitalist system then triggers various forms of resistance, which are depicted through the story's symbols and visuals throughout the film.
Through the main character, the film also displays symbols of resistance that reflect the struggle of the proletariat against capitalist domination. Katniss Everdeen, who voluntarily replaces her sister as a tribute in the 74th Hunger Games, not only reflects personal courage but also symbolizes the struggle of the marginalized proletariat against an oppressive social structure. Her actions demonstrate a spirit of resistance against exploitative power and the injustice imposed by the ruling elite of the Capitol.
This symbolism is reinforced by visual elements in the film. According to Dahlan et al. (2025), the symbols in the story enrich the social message conveyed and strengthen the critique of social inequality. For example, fire is often associated with the spirit of resistance and hope for change. Katniss's costume, which appears to be on fire during the competition, depicts the courage to reject injustice, while also showing that the lower class has the power to challenge the oppressive system. Additionally, the mockingjay serves as a symbol of the people's voice, which has been suppressed but eventually rises up in resistance. Katniss's identity, tied to these symbols, makes her an embodiment of hope and liberation, illustrating that the collective power of the people can shake a tyrannical system and bring about more equitable social change.
