Power in Dystopian Society

          Most dystopian societies are based on pop culture. Unlike the traditional version of pop culture in today's world, pop culture in dystopian worlds tend to have an agenda and a motive behind it. For the most part, it is a way of controlling the citizens and keeping them in line. In other ways, it is a way of ensuring the unending loyalty of the citizens of the society.  For example, in The Hunger Games, the ruins of district 13 is repeatedly shown on TV in order to curb any signs of rebellion, this form of pop culture of course is meant to serve as a source of fear. In all the districts, the destruction of district 13 is commonplace and people are so used to seeing the footage that they do not pay attention to it anymore. An example is pointed out in The Hunger games: Catching fire when Katniss encounters two women in the woods and they say they are going to district 13 (Collins pg. 133). The women figured out that the footage was not a live one but rather the same one that has been used for years (Collins, pg. 136).  They figured it out because they paid attention to the footage that others would have normally ignored.


     Environmental influences on pop culture

         The role of environment on pop culture has a huge influence. In today’s world, most forms of popular culture are opposed by institutions such as the church and education. An excerpt from the text, A History of Popular Culture states that “popular culture is hegemonic because it operates in conjunction with institutions like the state, the law, education and the family to legitimatize the values of the capitalist society” (p. 44 Obrien et Szeman). The History of Popular Culture. In an environment such as the Hunger Games, the capitol is able to use the districts’ geographical location to oppress them. For example, with district 4 being close to the coast, that puts them in charge of providing fish and other sea products for the capitol.
Map of Panem showing the Proximity of District 4 to the ocean, hence their district being known for fishing. 

                                    

 The regulation of space to control


        Furthermore, the use of fences between the districts and electrical fences to surround the districts is another way of keeping the districts contained. That way by regulating how much space is allotted to each district, the districts are easier to control and overcome. 

   Oppositions to Pop Culture Hegemony


        Not much is said about religion or spirituality in the hunger games so one would assume that religion died out as Panem progressed. In the text A History of pop culture, it is said that certain institutions oppose pop culture including the church and that sort of curbs the hegemonic effect that pop culture has on the society.  However, that does not apply to the Hunger Games since it is a place where religion has no pedestal. Even if a church was to rise to defend the citizens of Panem and condemn the harsh treatment of the districts by the capitol, the church would receive no backup because it would be viewed as a strange entity by the districts. 

The Career Tributes seeming happy to be in the hunger games 
This idea that suffering and unfair treatment has been normalized in the hunger games stems from the upbringing the children in the districts receive. They are taught that the history of the hunger games resulted due to rebellion and thus the hunger games is justified because it is a way for the districts to pay for the rebellious acts they tried to commit against the capitol. To someone who is not immersed and brought up in Panem, the hunger games seem like a barbaric, senseless and unjust killing. However, to the districts, it is received with mixed reactions. The career tributes see the hunger games as a worthy conquest to undertake, some districts like 12 are just going with it as they have no other option. 
Katniss's face looking apprehensive as she volunteers for her sister Prim


             
                                                                  Works Cited
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic. 2010. Print.
O'brien et Szeman, The history of Popular Culture. 2004. Print. 







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