“The odds in our favor?”: problematizando questões de sociedade e classe na obra literária The Hunger Games (2008) à luz da crítica materialista

Abstract

Literary works, in addition to being forms of entertainment, can also act as “distorting” mirrors, reflecting the afflictions and oppressions suffered by the less affluent part of the population. Materialist criticism, an important part of marxist studies, is an approach that gives us the foundation to point out the injustices and inequalities present within literary narratives and, by extension, in the society in which these works are produced. By adopting a marxist perspective in literary analysis, we can highlight various dimensions that reveal the existing relations and conflicts in societies. Books such as The Hunger Games (2008) offer a rich lens through which to apply marxist analysis and explore social dynamics. Collins' novel, set in the dystopian nation of Panem, reveals power structures that mirror our own world, making it a valuable tool for understanding real-world social issues. Therefore, this research aims to investigate how The Hunger Games (2008) depicts social and class issues from a materialist perspective. In order to answer this question, the following general objective was defined: To investigate how social and class issues are represented in The Hunger Games (2008) from a materialist standpoint. To accomplish this general objective, the following specific objectives were outlined: To discuss the theoretical assumptions of materialist criticism, with emphasis on the concepts of society and class; and to identify the representations of society and class in The Hunger Games (2008). Regarding the methodological approach, this research adopted a qualitative, exploratory, and interpretive perspective. In terms of its type, it follows a bibliographic approach. This research is grounded, among others, in the studies of Maria Elisa Cevasco (2013) and Raymond Williams (1983; 2011). The results of this research indicate that the work The Hunger Games (2008), in relation to society, can be analyzed through action, structure, and dystopia. Regarding class, the analysis can be conducted based on food and the lack of unity within the same district.