Constructing Reality: The Role of Mass Media in The Hunger Games Series

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is an incredibly popular Young Adult series that has had a large impact on both children and adults. The media environment within The Hunger Games trilogy can provide insight into our own world. This thesis seeks to discuss how governing structures in the trilogy, the Capitol and District 13, manipulate the media to secure their own power. Using contemporary research on media theories, media methods, and media effects, this thesis focuses primarily on the Capitol and District 13’s efforts to create and use the media image of Katniss Everdeen, the central character of The Hunger Games trilogy. It shows that in the midst of this battle for her image and identity, Katniss must develop her media literacy skills if she is to achieve and maintain any control over her own life and image