Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins Wiki by Leigh Wyttenbach
About the Book Mockingjay was written by Suzanne Collins, and was published on August 24, 2010. It is the last installment in The Hunger Games trilogy. The novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem, which is located in the remains of modern day North America. In the novel, the main characters face the challenge of overthrowing their totalitarian government. Along the way, there are many challenges that could lead to their death.
Characters & Conflict
Katniss Everdeen: The "Mockingjay" of the rebellion. She leads the rebels through the uprising against their government and helps to save Peeta.
Peeta Mellark: Katniss' fellow tribute and love interest. His mind is hijacked by the Capitol to the point where he cannot tell the difference between reality and fiction.
Gale Hawthorne: The best friend and hunting partner of Katniss. He joins the rebels and helps lead missions to overthrow the government.
Primrose Everdeen: Little sister of Katniss. She works as a healer alongside her mother.
Haymitch Abernathy: A previous District 12 victor of the Hunger Games. He is Katniss' and Peeta's mentor. He also become a part of the rebellion.
President Snow: The cruel leader of Panem, known for his lack of compassion.
Conflict: The people in the districts of Panem must decide to either risk their life for liberation, or to continue existing in poverty and under complete control of the Capitol.
About the Author Suzanne Collins grew up always moving, due to her father's work with the U.S. Air Force. She was always told about effects of war, hence where she got the inspiration for The Hunger Games trilogy. As a child, she was interested in theater. She eventually went on to Indiana University and majored in Drama and Telecommunications. Collins is now married and has two children. Other novels of Suzanne include Gregor and the Overlander (2003) and //Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods// (2005). Collins has also written the books When Charlie McButton Lost Power (2005) and When Charlie McButton Gained Power (2009). Her works are praised for their on edge-of-the-seat plots and for their social commentary on problems the world faces today. In 2010, she was named one of Time magazine's most influential people.
ThemeIn Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins conveys the theme that more pain comes out of war than glory, and does so through her questioning of the morality of tactics used in warfare, as well as through describing the effects war can have on a society, such as death, starvation, and destruction.
ReviewSuzanne Collins' Mockingjay is the thrilling end to The Hunger Games trilogy. Picking up where Catching Fire left off, the reader is immediately drawn into the continuous struggles of Katniss Everdeen. After receiving the news that her district is destroyed by the Capitol, Katniss joins the rebellion to overthrow the government. She decides to become the "Mockingjay," or the face of the uprising. While trying to conquer the Capitol, Katniss must also rescue her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark. Each chapter will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the characters tackle problems such as loss, oppression, and the consequences and effects of war. I highly recommend Mockingjay for anyone looking for a novel they won't be able to put down!
Style Analysis
In Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins uses several elements of style, including tone, pace, and character development, in order to differentiate her style from other authors. Her literary style has its own unique elements that makes it stand out among other writers.
The tone of Mockingjay is very dark and haunting. Throughout the entire novel, the reader can feel this heavy, chaotic air all about. Collins' use of chilling imagery adds to the distressing tone.
"In the final volume of Suzanne Collins' blockbuster Hunger Games trilogy, people are murdered by a stunningly baroque variety of means: snared in barbed nets, smothered with gas, coated in poisonous gel, steamed like lobsters, melted like candles and beheaded by mutants... Light romantic comedy this is not..." (Gurdon)
"I stick to the road out of habit, but it's a bad choice, because it's full of the remains of those who tried to flee. Some were incinerated entirely. But others, probably overcome with smoke, escaped the worst of the flames and now lie reeking in various states of decomposition, carrion for scavengers, blanketed by flies." (Collins 5)
Mockingjay keeps up a relatively quick pace overall, though Collins does take a good amount of time to describe the atmosphere. Generally, it seems rather balanced, with some points moving along with less descriptions that others.
"Collins tries...at showing from the inside how that violence might affect someone beyond the immediate and leave subtle and lingering scars. It's hard to spread those effects over enough time to show gradual changes and repeated trauma without slowing the story down too much, but while at times this is a slower book that the previous two, I think it finds a good balance." (Allbery)
"The trilogy balances seriousness with special effects, a fundamental furious darkness with fast-paced storytelling, so that the books manage to be simultaneously disturbing and fun." (Roiphe)
Collins uses character development to show how the war changes and effects the people involved. Throughout the novel, the reader can see the character of Katniss evolve. In the beginning, she is rather timid and unsure. However, she becomes more confident and learns her place as the "Mockingjay."
"[Mockingjay] attempts a breathtaking risky thematic shift and direction of character development that I was completely not expecting, and largely pulls it off." (Allbery)
Wiki by Leigh Wyttenbach
Mockingjay was written by Suzanne Collins, and was published on August 24, 2010. It is the last installment in The Hunger Games trilogy. The novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem, which is located in the remains of modern day North America. In the novel, the main characters face the challenge of overthrowing their totalitarian government. Along the way, there are many challenges that could lead to their death.
Characters & Conflict
Suzanne Collins grew up always moving, due to her father's work with the U.S. Air Force. She was always told about effects of war, hence where she got the inspiration for The Hunger Games trilogy. As a child, she was interested in theater. She eventually went on to Indiana University and majored in Drama and Telecommunications. Collins is now married and has two children. Other novels of Suzanne include Gregor and the Overlander (2003) and //Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods// (2005). Collins has also written the books When Charlie McButton Lost Power (2005) and When Charlie McButton Gained Power (2009). Her works are praised for their on edge-of-the-seat plots and for their social commentary on problems the world faces today. In 2010, she was named one of Time magazine's most influential people.
The official Mockingjay book trailer
More information on the author, Suzanne Collins.
Suzanne Collins' official website.
Works Cited
Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. New York: Scholastic, 2010. Print.
Gurdon, Meghan. "Children's Books: Mockingjay." Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc., 28 Aug. 2010. Web. 17 May 2012. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453913148763360.html>.
Roiphe, Katie. "Survivor." Rev. of Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. The New York Times Sunday Book Review. The New York Times Company, 8 Sept. 2010. Web. 16 May 2012. < http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/books/review/Roiphe-t.html>.