I disagree with Meg Roy’s argument that Katniss’ role in The Hunger Games is not feminist. She mentions in her article that the film focuses on her sexuality, romantic relationship with Peeta, and her dependence on him for her survival. While I can see where Roy is coming from when she makes these claims since those aspects are present in the film, Roy is looking at it all wrong. The whole point of The Hunger Games is to critique society and its values by taking the negative aspects of human nature to extremes.
The fact that Katniss is forced to use her appearance to gain support from the Capitol is part of Suzanne Collins' criticism of society, not as Roy would argue, a way to encourage girls to use their appearance to gain an advantage. Another critique of Collins is the obsession with physical appearance and wealth in the Capitol.
The fact that Katniss is forced to use her appearance to gain support from the Capitol is part of Suzanne Collins' criticism of society, not as Roy would argue, a way to encourage girls to use their appearance to gain an advantage. Another critique of Collins is the obsession with physical appearance and wealth in the Capitol.
Just because the book and movie portray the people in the Capitol wearing elaborate costumes and makeup doesn’t mean that Suzanne Collins is encouraging them--she's showing how ridiculous they are. The same applies to Katniss' behavior throughout the book and movie. At first, Katniss is strong-willed and unapologetic for who she is, but she is forced to change her behavior and become more feminine to gain support from the Capitol.
It seems as if Roy didn’t realize that Katniss's oppression is part of the critique—that Collins is criticizing society for forcing girls into certain gender roles. If anything, The Hunger Games encourages strength and independence, both qualities that Katniss demonstrates (aside from the scenes where she pretends to be a damsel in distress for the cameras during the Games).
It seems as if Roy didn’t realize that Katniss's oppression is part of the critique—that Collins is criticizing society for forcing girls into certain gender roles. If anything, The Hunger Games encourages strength and independence, both qualities that Katniss demonstrates (aside from the scenes where she pretends to be a damsel in distress for the cameras during the Games).