Representation of gender focusing upon the Hunger Games franchise

1. Representation of gender:
Hunger Games
By Grace Crawford, AS Media, Research

2. Introduction
I shall be analysing the representation of women from the thriller
science-fiction dystopian film, The Hunger Games (Director, Francis
Lawrence, 2012-2015).
Katniss Everdeen (portrayed respectively by Jennifer Lawrence) will
be the focus of my attention as her female role challenges the
typical expectations of females in films, I’ll also be looking closely
into supporting character Peeta Mellark (portrayed respectively by
Josh Hutcherson) and his representation as a male in the film
franchise.
In the film, Katniss is looked upon to be the dominant figure in
which the nation of Panem look to, the film offers a positive
representation of women, as Katniss dominants the narrative
throughout the films, she is seen as strong-willed, protective and
independent. Peeta Mellark is seen as Katniss’s love interest in the
films, he’s seen as more emotionally open and romantic towards
Katniss.

3. Katniss Everdeen
Katniss is seen as the female protagonist from the films,
she’s portrayed as the independent character,
protective and strong willed.
She is stronger than most characters in the film and has
the typical male traits, this being her skills as a hunter
and a fighter and when necessary, a killer.
In the film, it is seen that her dad died when Katniss
was a young, since than she’s taken on lead role of
protecting her family from starvation and death, in
order for her to do this she goes out and hunts and
trades for money and food in order to keep her family
going.
Katniss challenges the stereotypical roles that are held
by people in regards to gender.
Typically women are seen as more weaker and
venerable, a reliant on the males, who constantly needs
saving or is the eye of beauty.
Katniss however is neither of these things and in fact is
the opposite of these views.
In Vladmir Propp’s character role theory, Katniss is seen
upon as the Hero in the Hunger Games films, she
dominates the story narrative as audiences follows her
story of trying to keep herself and Peeta alive
throughout the Hunger Games.

4. Peeta Mellark
Peeta Mellark is viewed as the princess in the Hunger Games
films, he is the gatherer whilst Katniss hunts, he’s non-violent,
and refuses to kill anyone whilst inside the games.
Peeta is the character whom needs saving by Katniss, this is
seen throughout the Hunger Games, where he is injured and
unable to walk, he’s protected by Katniss and is saved due to
her risking her life by trying to receive medicine to save his
life.
Peeta is openly romantic towards Katniss and expresses his
love to her, his aim is to protect her through all costs, even
risking his own life to ensure that she is safe and away from
harm, this usually ends in himself getting hurt in the process.
Peeta and his family run the local bakery, showing he is more
of a nurturer and a feeder, his passion is also art, painting in
particular, his acts of gentleness and sacrifice are reflected
throughout the films, he warns her away from conflict and
isolation, encouraging her to make friends and alliances while
she deals with trust issues amongst tributes.
Peeta’s also clever, witty, and observant, also sardonic when
he needs to be.
In Vladmir Prop's theory, Peeta Mellark is looked upon as the
princess in the Hunger Games, in parts of the narrative he is
injured by tributes in which he is saved by Katniss, she looks
after and protects him from dangers to keep him safe and
alive.

5. Mise En Scene-Katniss Everdeen
This scene is capturing Katniss in her Mockingjay suit, which is all black, its
tight fitted showing off her figure, the use of the colour shows off her power
as she's is an important character.
Katniss’s weapon is the bow and arrow, instantly making herself known as
this is her signature style, this and her braided hair, the weapons is also
coloured black, matching her costume and reflecting her dominance of how
she not afraid to fight back against the forces of the Capitol.
Her makeup and hair is all done up, her makeup have a Smokey eye effect
reflecting the atmosphere of war, and her Dutch braid, a signature hairstyle
that can made her be instantly known to everyone.
In this scene, she portrays power and dominance over all, the people follow
behind her slowly, allowing Katniss to lead the way, she walks slowly but
stands tall, she holds a stern and a serious expression on her face, proving to
be a powerful leader over the nation of Panem.
The use of the colour black is powerful, it can convey different meanings
towards the audience, one of which could be representing evil and dark, as if
she’s the enemy in the war against the Capitol. Another representing her
power and dominance over the nation as she fight back and leads the war to
a whole new level, the colour black connotes leadership and control as she
leads her people to war against the Capitol.

6. Mise En Scene-Peeta Mellark
Peeta in this scene shows that he's in the capitol hands, unlike
Katniss who's dressed all in black, he’s all in white, reflecting
Levi Stress theory of good against evil (black against white),
this could be seen as a positive representation as white is
reflected as innocent and pure.
He appears to be well looked after and living in comfort as if
nothings wrong with him, his facial expressions appears to be
well relaxed yet stern, especially as he addresses Katniss
about war and declares a ceasefire, the white addresses this
with good over evil as he tries to end the fighting over the
districts.
The use of setting in this scene shows that Peeta is in an well
refined place, the use of refurnished rooms reminds
audiences of how the Capitol lives in luxury on top of the
slums living in poverty in the districts, reminding audience of
why the rebels are fighting in the first place, however the use
of the prop of the vase of white roses sitting next to Peeta
reminds audiences of how the Capitol obscures reality from
the residents living there, showing how all is not what they
seem.

7. Editing-Katniss Everdeen
Editing for Katniss in this particular scene reflects how
powerful her character is, the use of special effects is
shown through fire added in the background to reflect
her leadership and control.
This is a powerful representation of women, Katniss
stands tall and alone amongst the fires of the war
inflicted with the Capitol, her emotions demonstrates
how powerful she is, showing a positive representation
of women, this challenges the usual stereotypes of
women as Katniss is not running away nor is she afraid
to fight back. This challenges the usual expectations of
women and shows them in a positive light.

8. Editing-Peeta Mellark
CGI (Computer Generated Images) were used here to enhance Peeta’s
deteriorated state to show months of abuse and starvation has occurred
since he was kidnapped by the Capitol, he has been inflicted with torture for
rebel secrets and used as a weapon against Katniss. CGI effects were used to
show his mental state of mind and form in these particular scenes, an over
the shoulder shot shows Katniss looking at Peeta after his ordeal in the
Capitol, as a main character, Peeta is positioned in the middle and focused
upon so that audiences can observe a glimpse of what he's been through in
the enemy's hands, as a love interest to Katniss this is set to make her
unstable, emotionally and physically for seeing what Peeta has been
through.
Before: After:

9. Camera Angles-Katniss Everdeen
Low angle shot looking up at Katniss showing her dominance and power,
reflecting her importance in the films, this use of shot makes a character
appear stronger and powerful, inferior to other characters, this shot challenges
the usual roles of women in our society as they’re looked upon to be weak,
small and helpless.
Long shot, low angle depicting Katniss amongst the fire and rubble
of the Mockingjay scene, the location shot establishes the ruined
buildings in the background, connoting danger and death, Katniss is
positioned in the middle of the shot, reflecting her importance.
Normally, a women is seen to be running from the scene and into
danger, here Katniss is positioned amongst the thick of it, placing
herself in danger but not caring about it at all, the way she stands
tall and addresses the public shows dominance which is typically
not seen in the portrayal of women.
180 degree shot of Katniss as she’s surrounded by followers, the shot follows Katniss
closely and slowly as people begin to recognise her, they close in and show their
support with the signature whistle and hand gestures. The 180 degree shot follows
Katniss as she observes this, the music also rises in this atmosphere, the shot is
focused upon Katniss where the people around her are blurred, showing her
significance in this powerful scene where people gather to get a glimpse of her.

10. Camera Angles-Peeta Mellark
Posh decorations are denoted in this particular scene, although blurry
viewers can clearly make out the crystal chandelier and lamps, the scene is
focused upon Peeta, against the corner looking out, suggesting he's not
familiar with the scenes he looking upon due to the poorer community he
comes from.
He's not like Katniss who instead would be portrayed as dominant, but
instead takes on a more vulnerable role, suggesting weaker than Katniss.
Wide shot shows Peeta in a hijacked state, he’s tied to a bed,
suggesting danger and vulnerability, yet in the window you can
clearly make out Katniss’s reflection, showing an emotional side
to her for once as Peeta is the love interest , reflecting her
unstable state, this scene shows how women can be emotional,
especially when it come to love, showing an conventional
representation for them.
Low angle shot looking down upon Peeta in this scene, showing his weak
and venerable state as he's clearly hurt and unable to move, Katniss looks
down upon him, protecting him from other dangers, trying to nurse him
from his wounds, this scene challenges Levi Stress binary opposites where
women should clearly be the weaker characters and the males should be
dominant and protect the weaker females from dangers.

11. Sound-Katniss Everdeen
In the films, Katniss is represented as the hero, strong and powerful
over the nation of Panem, she’s the symbol of hope that has
inspired the nation to rise up from the slums and join the fight
against the Capitol.
In the scene where she declares a speech in front of Panem after
witnessing attacks made by the Capitol, she speaks openly to
President Snow, declaring that “if we burn, than you burn with us”,
the dialogue is loud yet strong, dominating over the background
music, Katniss takes up the shot consisting of close ups and mid
shots of her so that the scenes focus purely on her.
This is powerful and challenges Levi Strauss binary oppositions of
how women should be seen upon as unimportant and in the
background, here audiences can see Katniss making this emotional
speech, she addresses President Snow and the residents of Panem,
proving a very important role as normally women are seen as
venerable and weak, this is a positive representation of women.

12. Sound-Peeta Mellark
Peeta is represented in the Hunger Games as more
emotionally open and romantic towards Katniss, he will
stop at nothing to ensure her safety and well being,
this usually leads to himself getting hurt with Katniss
protecting him.
Peeta's love for Katniss is true right from the start, this
devotion is shown in scenes, such as the romance on
the beach, here he openly declares his love for Katniss
once again and tells her about his devotion in keeping
her alive throughout the duration of the games, saying
how “Nobody needs me”, here the music is light and
quiet, reflecting how important the scene is as Katniss
finally realises her love for Peeta and goes in to kiss
him, the music is than picked up but only by a little,
instruments such as violins are heard connecting to the
idea of conveying romance, with the beach blurry in
the background, pathetic fallacy is used here to again
remind viewers of the romance being seen here.

13. Overall…
I find that Katniss clearly offers a positive representation of women in todays society,
it challenges Levi Strauss’s binary oppositions of how women should be looked upon
as weak and helpless, instead the role of Katniss’s character clearly changes this and
makes room for change.
The role of Peeta portrayed as more or less as Propp’s character theory, the princess
also challenges character roles in films, Peeta as the male is expected to be the hero,
however is portrayed as venerable as he’s saved multiple times by Katniss throughout
the films. Peeta is normally seen in the background where the attention is focused
upon Katniss, this typical reflection on characters is not normally seen so challenges
gender issues and makes room for development on the role of gender in today
society.