PERSONAL SYNTHESIS/FEMINIST ANALYSIS

Based on the book's content, I believe there is a radical change between the perception of genders.  My two examples would, of course be Katniss and (the ever-so-cute!) Peeta.  It seems that these star-crossed lovers are living in some sort of dystopian fairy tale...

First let me start with Peeta, who is described in a way that I would perceive as a woman.  In one instance, he admits romantic feelings towards his partner, which would be viewed as an un-masculine act.  He later is found to be hurt and had to be taken care of by Katniss, even being fed.  In the final book, he is "brain-washed" and has to be rescued (like a true damsel in distress) by Katniss, and the best part is, they end up together!  It is supposedly a "fairy tale" ending minus the happily ever after.  Men are supposedly strong, show no feelings except anger, and are mostly the ones saving the girl up in the tower.  I feel that the only time he acts like a true man is when he returns the favor to Katniss and protects her in some way.  I'm not sure how I would describe it, but on those nights when she would have nightmares and he would come in and lay with her - they wouldn't do anything, whether that be kiss or anything else your imagination could come up with - and he would protect her.  We later find that he was protecting himself as well since now, after all the games are over, they find each other - settle on each other - just because no one quite understands themselves as they do.

The bigger act is being played by Katniss, though.  Not only is she acting masculine, but she is acting as a mother, and as a little girl.  Throughout the book, Katniss takes her life, (literally) into her own hands.  She keeps her emotions inside, rejects the story of love between her and Peeta stating that she looks like a fool now that she may have a "boyfriend", and is a true hunter and soul survivor.  It seems that Katniss owns this sort of masculine attitude, yet owns a softer side that isn't as easy to see.  She takes care of everyone she sees - she nurtures Peeta - as a mother would do.  She also obviously takes care of her little sister by bringing home the food day after day and taking the place of their actual mother.  And, as I have stated above, she rescues Peeta and keeps him out of harms way throughout the final book.  But one final remark is how she is used.  If we think in the past, women have been used for many different purposes such as being a "trophy wife" or being a "baby maker".  So it shouldn't be a surprise when I state that Katniss was being used by District 13.  Feminism can be defined as anyone who respects and understands the values of both genders and thinking that all are equal.  This final district seems to value it, they label each person with their agenda for the day and give each body the same amount of food as every other.  But they neglected this terminology on Katniss.  She is not seen as a woman or even just a person in their arm-branded society, they see her as their pawn in rising up against the Capitol.  And further more, they use her team and friends against her as well.  They don't disclose information on Peeta because they know it will affect her will, and they enforce Cinna in creating a dress that will stun and corrupt the Capitol.  And, like I said, they just USE her.  They use her as their rebellion, and often remind her about what her duty is.  This then leads to her own decision on killing the person who has been using her, and honestly, I believe it was for the best.

With the other parts of this essay, I believe the film really brought out this masculine/feminine side of herself.  Like I talk about in the page, the book describes her (as above), and the film portrays her the same with her facial expressions.  In one example, her feminine side comes out to show that she acts like a mother, protecting her child, volunteering for her sister Prim by screaming out in agony, beckoning her down from the platform.  In the Critical Essay, it seems that Katniss is two different people in the final book, one Mockingjay and one Katniss, and that may be just because she is so easy to manage.  Now thought of as a damaged young woman, she can easily be used as "the victim" and can be portrayed as a fighter for injustice, and it may be easy because Peeta as well as Gale are "steeled", which would be intended towards male to be standoffish.  The Reader Response has compelled me to think of this book as a heroine tale.  So many comments were about how refreshing it is to have a book where there isn't a damsel in distress, and how great it is to have Katniss be such a strong woman.  And it is, like I've said above, it is refreshing to tell a tale of the woman saving the world.  Well, kind of.