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Im writing this in an attempt to make sense of the disjointed and muddled thoughts swirling

around inside my head. (Which is usually the main reason I write un-school-related things these

days.) It has to do with the recent explosion of popularity The Hunger Games has received due

to the release of its movie adaptation as well as popularity and media attention in general.

Its wonderful to see a quality book series receive the attention that it deserves (though also sad

that it takes a film adaptation for it to receive that attention), but something about the massive

amount of exposure gnaws at me, making me uneasy. I couldnt identify this strange feeling nor

the reason for my discomfort at first, but I think Ive mostly figured it out.

Initially, I believed that the negative sentiment was just my personal, irrational yet inevitable

mentality of I was a fan first, before it was popular, due to the fact that I bought and read the

first book a couple months after its release, back in 08, and had to wait a year for the second

book, then another for the third. I imagine the person who first found the gold in California felt

similarly. Yet I realized that this wasnt the whole reason for my negative reaction to its

mainstream popularity.

Somehow, I feel like popularity diminishes the meaning and depth that I personally find in

stories. Nowadays, when you bring up Harry Potter to the general public, associations are

immediately made to the worldwide cultural phenomenon, to the amount it made at the box

office, to the millions of copies it sold, the careers of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma

Watson, and to icons such as the glasses and the scar. But what about the complex story told

about friendship, family, courage, and the power of love? What about the messages it conveyed

about bigotry and evil? What about the gorgeously drawn characters that were flawed yet

infinitely admirable for finding that beautiful inner strength to fight the evil and injustice in the

world? What about the journey of self-discovery the main character went on, all while navigating

the rough seas of adolescence and bearing the weight of the world upon his slight frame? What

about the good organizations such as the HP Alliance are doing in the world, all in the name ofHarry Potter? I always feel as though these types of topics are either ignored or

underemphasized by mainstream media.

A similar opinion is rising in me about the Hunger Games and the public interest it is garnering.

When I read the trilogy, I felt strongly about and deeply appreciated the focus on subject matters

of importance such as poverty, totalitarianism, privilege, war, oppression, and the pitfalls of

reality television and the media. I greatly admire stories that not only entertain, but can serve as

a springboard for discussions about issues pertinent to the current state of our society and

perhaps even force self-examination where necessary.

Its wonderful that such a powerful tale is reaching a broader audience, but I detest the fleetingand shallow nature of the media today. Questions such as Team Peeta or Team Gale? are

posed infuriatingly often during interviews with the cast and crew of the movie, and these kinds

of questions are representative of the line popular media generally takes. I understand that most

are out to entertain and draw the attention of the public, but this fact only further disturbs me

when I realize that the line media takes is the line they believe people are interested in. What

does this say about our society?

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But I have to qualify what Ive said above so that I dont seem like a utter hypocrite. I have

nothing against media being entertaining and humorous, and I ve spent my fair share of time

watching cast interviews and giggling at amusing things people said. (And I ve made it

abundantly clear just how much I love watching Jennifer Lawrence, who is a delight. Also, I m

always heartened when she and the director, Gary Ross, discuss how they feel the story is an

important one to tell and how people involved with the film usually deflect the ridiculous TeamPeeta or Team Gale? question by instead stressing the importance of the female heroine,

Katniss, and her personal journey.) I just wish the entertainment and the stars involved with the

film werent focused on at the expense the themes and messages of the story.

(Sidebar: Another reason why I dont like the Team Peeta or Team Gale trend. It isnt even the

fact that it focuses on the romantic subplot of the story, which I personally believe is an

important, though far from the most integral, portion of the trilogy. It is the fact that the rather

flippant question trivializes these characters and their relationships. When I read the books, I

observed a beautiful story of two individuals who find solace in each other and who, in spite of

the amount of both internal and external obstacles, decide they would rather face hard times

together than apart-- the story of Katniss and Peeta. I also saw a heartbreaking tale of twouncommonly similar souls who formed a strong bond and yet go their separate ways after their

irresolvable differences are exposed and cause the crumbling of their relationship-- the story of

Katniss and Gale. I find the oversimplification of these relationships demeaning to the two

stories.)

(Second sidebar: I adored the movie, but Ill have to disagree with those who say that the movie

was even better than the book and that it was a story more suited to the medium of film. If a

book was amazing and the movie was equally amazing, Ill always be biased towards the book.

I am just so much more attached to books. They make me feel stronger emotions than films do

and I connect so much more with books than with movies. Thats not to say I dont love

watching movies and that I dont feel emotions when watching them, because I do. A lot. But

books trump movies every time. The sad thing is, though, I dont think I read more books than I

watch movies. I attribute this to my laziness and lack of free time more than anything, because I

think reading challenges your mind far more than watching a film does. Also, reading a novel

generally takes far longer than sitting down for just a couple hours and watching a movie. I

really should find more time to read.)