Social Structure and Social Institutions of the Hunger Games Society - Essay Example

The Social Structure and social institutions of the Hunger Games Society consist of twelve districts ruled by the government in the Capitol. A local government and peacemakers are instituted in every district, yet the leaders in the Capitol strictly control everyone and everything in each district. Every district consists of its own specialty, which is of benefit to the Capitol, such as seafood, agriculture, and coal mining.

People who live in the capital do not contribute much to their own sustenance but are mainly concerned with the most recent amusements and fashions.  The twelve districts are responsible for sending two representatives or agents each year (Collins 56). These agents are a boy and a girl who is sent to participate in the hunger games. Tennis and Peeta are sent to represent their districts. They are also called “tributes.” The victors’ district receives as many gifts as possible especially foodstuffs, when the victors finally return home.

Several social classes are evident in the hunger games society. District 12 is the poorest, the most beaten down, the hungriest, and the laughing stock of Panem, who are in the upper class. There is a gulf of knowledge between the dirt poor and the highest social elite (Collins 77). For instance, Katniss is a stylist, Cinna comments on meeting her at dinner: “We seem so despicable to you.” This is due to the reason that Katniss has had her life living hungry, and subsisting on a diet of pine bark, roots, and squirrels.

In contrast, in the capital, one gets any kind of food he wishes by simply pressing a button. Peeta’s family belongs to the middle class since they own a bakery and we do not see him starve. Deviant behaviors are noticed where Kitnnis awakens as a sexual being, rebels against the authority, and complicates her relationship with her parents, which is not an expectation of society. Society also does not keep to the expectations of the citizens since there is an unequal distribution of resources.