This week I’ll look at how women are portrayed, and how they interact with other characters, in the 2012 dystopian thriller The Hunger Games, one of my favorite films. And books for that matter.
(You can find out more about the 3 tests I’ll use in Women, Men, and Movies or just read on.)
The Story
In the future a wealthy capitol city governs twelve districts that once rebelled against it. As payback, the Capitol requires each district to draw names of one boy and one girl—called Tributes—each year to battle to the death in a staged reality show/pageant.
Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who lives in impoverished District 12, volunteers when her little sister’s name is drawn. Katiniss and Peeta, the boy from District 12, become allies, friends, enemies, and love interests as they fight the Tributes from other districts and struggle against the Capitol’s machinations.
Quick Results
Bechdel: Pass
Sexy Lamp: Strong Pass
Mako Mori: Strong Pass
Chasing Bechdel
(Does a (named) female character talk to another named female character about anything other than a man?)
Who’s Talking To Whom About What
Three sets of named female characters talk to one another about something other than a man. I was surprised, however, at how many more one-on-one male conversations there are than female-to-female given that The Hunger Games features a female lead and a large cast of both male and female characters.
Here’s the breakdown:
Women To Women
Katniss and her sister, Prim, talk about:
- the Hunger Games
- how Tributes are chosen
- Prim’s nightmare
- singing
- a Mockingjay pin
Effie (a mentor for the games) and Katniss talk about:
- Katniss volunteering to save Prim
- an interview where Katniss does a good job
Rue, a young female Tribute, and Katniss talk about:
- getting food
- their districts
- healing wounds with plants
- strategy
- Peeta
- signaling one another through Mockingjays
- Rue’s fatal injuries (Katniss sings to her)
The rest of the one-on-one conversations between female characters include one or more who are never named.
For instance, Katniss and her mother, who is unnamed, talk about:
- the Hunger Games
- the way mom shut down after Katniss’ father’s death
- how to survive while Katniss is gone
- clothes for the Reaping Day
Katniss’ mom and Prim talk about:
- clothes for the Reaping Day
- Prim looking pretty
Also, Katniss talks to an unnamed female vendor about the Mockingjay pin and trading.
Men To Men
TV personality Caesar and gamemaker Seneca Crane talk about:
- past and current games
- the Rebellion
- the Tributes
- Katniss volunteering
Caesar and another announcer, Claudius, talk about:
- the Tributes
- the victors
- the crowd size
- the history of the games
- costumes and stylists
Seneca Crane and President Snow talk about:
- Katniss
- why the games have a victor
- hope
- underdogs
- containing potential rebellions
Peeta and Haymitch (a mentor to Katniss and Peeta) talk about:
- how to survive
Caesar and Peeta talk about:
- the Capitol
- Peeta’s feelings for Katniss
Haymitch and Seneca Crane talk about:
- giving the crowds something to root for
Women And Men
Katniss and Peeta talk about many topics, including:
- their mentor Haymitch
- seeking help
- strategy
- who is stronger
- Peeta’s declaration of feelings for Katniss
- injuries
- other Tributes, including Rue
- their families
- remaining true to themselves
- winning
- how much to risk to get medical supplies
- their childhoods
- hunting
- food and plants
- surviving
Katniss and her friend Gale talk about:
- hunting
- killing animals versus people
- the games
- selling to Peacekeepers
- their families
- running away
- getting food
- caring for Katniss’ family when she’s gone
Haymitch and Katniss talk about:
- that he believes she can win
- strategy
- the consequences of making the Capitol look bad
Katniss and Cinna (the stylist who designs her clothes) talk about:
- being likable
- interviewing
- sponsors
- making an impression
- Katniss being brave and volunteering
- making friends
- costumes
- his faith in her
Caesar and Katniss talk about:
- the flames under her costumes
- her promise to Prim that she’ll try to win
- her nervousness being on stage
Many other conversations occur between mixed groups of male and female characters.
For example, Haymitch talks with Peeta and Katniss about strategy, sponsors, and their skills, as does Effie. Peeta talks with a group of Tributes about hunting Katniss. The same group talks about Peeta when he’s not there and about strategy.
Conclusion
The Hunger Games passes the Bechdel Test.
In one of the earliest scenes Katniss talks to her sister, Prim, about the games. During the games, Katniss allies herself with Rue, a girl about Prim’s age. While the two talk about Peeta, they mainly talk about strategy and survival. Katniss also has a couple one-line conversations with Effie.
Women v. Sexy Lamps
(can a female character be replaced by a sexy lamp without affecting the plot?)
No question Katniss drives the story rather than solely being an object for male characters to protect, chase, or attack. She promises her sister to try to win. She knows how to (and does) hunt, forage for food, fight, protect others, protect herself, and outwit enemies.
While Peeta falls in love with her and that has some effect on both their fortunes in the game, Katniss’ storyline turns on her ability to survive, fight, make alliances, connect with people, play a part, and be herself.
Conclusion
The Hunger Games passes the Sexy Lamp Test.
Mako Mori
(does a female character have her own narrative arc that does not support a man’s story line?)
Yes, for the same reasons in the Sexy Lamp Test above.
Also, interestingly, here it is Peeta’s storyline that supports Katniss’. He feels he has no chance, while Katniss does. His approach is to help her and/or to hide from others. Without her, he probably couldn’t survive.
In many ways, Haymitch’s storyline also supports Katniss’ story. True, Haymitch has his own arc. He allows himself to hope that, for once, one of his Tributes will survive. But it’s Katniss more so than Peeta who sparks that hope and feeds it.
Without Katniss, there’s no story for Haymitch or Peeta.
Conclusion
The Hunger Games passes the Mako Mori Test.
Did I Like It
I love so much about The Hunger Games, including Katniss as a hero. I’ve probably watched it three or four times in addition to the first viewing in the theater. Before that I read the book, which I also love.
Along with being a great story with compelling characters, The Hunger Games highlights a lot of issues women face.
Without being heavy handed, the film shows us how much more time and effort Katniss must spend on her appearance and also the double standard that requires her to be both fierce/scary to other Tributes and approachable/likable.
Coming Soon
Not sure, but I keep hearing good things about the horror film Jennifer’s Body. So I’m thinking about that next.
You might also like:
The Terminator: Men Talk, A Woman Fights (Women & Men in the Movies No. 5)
Terminator 2: Sarah, Action Hero, But… (Women & Men in the Movies No. 6)
Leia Says Little In The Last Jedi (Women & Men in the Movies No. 9)
Annihilation: Five Women And The Unknown (Women, Men, and Movies No. 4)
Ex Machina: If An A.I. Were A Woman (Women, Men, and Movies No. 3)