The Hunger Games is a dystopian story that melds both Orwell’s and Huxley’s visions of the future. The Capitol citizens are pacified by their lifestyle, which is supported by the Capitol’s exploitation and oppression of the Districts. Capitol citizens could become aware of the extent and severity of this injustice and act in ways that defy the Capitol’s system. The Capitol appropriates the possible signs and symbols of this defiance and reintegrates them as sources of entertainment through its media culture. The remainder of Capitol citizens who defy the Capitol’s system are then easily isolated, ridiculed, and eliminated if necessary. Collins story is a satire of contemporary American society: we are the Capitol. Is she’s right, then how do the controllers and operators of our socio-economic system distract us from meaningful criticism and action against itself? - By equipping media culture with weapons of mass diversion. - By appropriating the signs of Capitol decadence and reintegrating them as desirable commodities. - By appropriating the symbols of Capitol defiance and reintegrating them as emblems of democratic ideals or social consciousness. Be an observer of or participant in the event, and District life fades into irrelevance.

1. Weapons of Mass Diversion:
Quarter Quells
and Capitol Couture
Thursday, 21 Nov 2013
Dr. Joel Hunter

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. Photographs by Zack Arias. “de_VICE: Our
mobile ‘addiction’,”
http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com, 29 Feb 2012
9

10. 10

18. “Katniss' Wedding Dress Is
Real, And It Is Fabulous”
http://www.refinery29.com
/2013/07/50001/

25. “Learn How To Make COVERGIRL's Capitol
Collection Looks More Wearable!”
http://style.mtv.com/2013/10/14/covergirl-
capitol-collection-wearable-tutorial/

37. Weapons of Mass Diversion:
Quarter Quells
and Capitol Couture
Thursday, 21 Nov 2013
Dr. Joel Hunter
Huxley was right about us.
Orwell was right about everyone else.