Resistance in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games Trilogy: A Deleuzoguattarian Reading

• Main Authors: Yu-Han Tsai, 蔡育涵
• Other Authors: Tsui-yu Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83458321481687739386

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 英語學系 === 103 === This thesis aims to discuss resistance with postmodern perspective in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games Trilogy by means of Deleuzoguattarian theory. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, with resistance attitude tries to escape from arborescent structure with centralized configuration and inhumane oppression established by the government, the Capitol. According to Deleuzoguattarian theory, “the apparatus of capture, machine of enslavement” imprisons people’s thoughts and actions (Deleuze and Guattari 448). The Capitol embodies the apparatus of capture and machine of enslavement. Within my thesis, I will discuss how government’s system and surveillance imprison people of each district and lead to people’s resistance. Three Deleuzoguattarian concepts are employed in this thesis: rhizome, lines of flight, nomadism. The concept of rhizome focuses on the structure and system established by the Capitol; the concept of lines of flight proves Kaniss’s adventure of resistance; the concept of nomadism shows relationship among Katniss, District Thirteen, and the Capitol to prove Katniss as a conceptual figure of nomadism. In Chapter One, I discuss the main argument, literature review and theoretical framework of this thesis. In Chapter Two, I focus on structure with the concept of rhizome—the arboresent structure established by the Capitol and rhizome formed by opposer. Katniss symbolizing rhizome tries to resist the oppression of the arboresent structure. In Chapter Three, “lines of flight” means escaping from one’s fixed status and identity within the society. Since the State apparatus is the machine of enslavement that puts everything into order through homogeneity of differences (including against thoughts and actions). Within a country, we can say that lines of flight reflect a resistance to this “apparatus of capture” (Deleuze and Guattari 448). I will discuss how Kaniss develops her lines of flight under Capitol’s oppression. In Chapter Four, I will discuss the ideas of nomadism pertaining to Katniss’s nomadic character who is nomadic war machine inhibiting in a smooth space while the State apparatus inhabits and constructs in striated. The discrepancy between smooth and striated spaces is that a smooth space is a space of non-hierarchy and freedom. And forest is Kaniss’ smooth space without surveillance. She tries to establish her smooth space which escapes from the Capitol’s control and surveillance. In Chapter Five, the conclusion is that once the oppression from powerful authority exists, resistance never ends and keeps interfering the majority. The majority oppress the minorityin order to satisfy their desire for power. Because of ignorance of humane nature, resistance occurs constantly. Both rulers and the ruled should learn to respect each other, and try to get rid off the dichotomous opposition.