The Hunger Games vs. The Great Gastby

The trilogy of The Hunger Games, which has become a huge sensation ever since the major motion picture premiered earlier this year, deals with a series of issues present this day in age.

Even though the book is based in the future, about 200 years from now, it centers on the possible consequences our present actions could have on the U.S.

In this new country named Panem, formed after America was destroyed by many natural disasters and a civil war that almost ended with the human race in the country, there are twelve districts and one capital city, named indeed, The Capitol.

The Capitol, innovative and futuristic

The Capitol is a futuristic, dream city, in the center of Panem. It includes high-speed trains, food at everyone’s disposal at whatever hour and all the latest technology that scientists today dream about. This could be connected to the term of “new wealth” mentioned in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby’s house innovates; it introduces new things that people proceeding from “old wealth” didn’t know. His parties, his drinks, his gardens, his rooms, all fascinate the people who attend these idealistic celebrations. 

An idea of how Gatsby's house would be, also innovative,
characteristic of new wealth.

In both books, wealthy people continually try to innovate, creating new and peculiar fashions, strange customs and constantly obsess about the parties that take place regularly. Again, these are superficial, empty-minded people who care about gossip and cocktails. Always ready for stories to gossip about, The Hunger Games is a perfect entertainment show for the people in the Capitol. For people in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s parties and his unknown past are also ideal topics of gossip.

An example of wealthy people in The Great Gatsby.

Habitants of The Capitol in The Hunger Games

Surrounding the Capitol are twelve districts, full of poverty and suffering. Each district produces something destined for the big city. The people of these districts work unimaginable hours and receive nothing in return from the Capitol, which turns a blind eye on them. Just like in The Great Gatsby, where the wealthy don’t want to be associated with the poor because they consider them inferior, the rich avoid all contact with the lower class and form a sort of bubble that surrounds and protects them from outsiders.

District 12, a poor district in The Hunger Games

Imitation of "The Valley Of Ashes" where poor people
lived in The Great Gatsby

Another very prominent subject spoken about in The Great Gatsby is the fact that people from old wealth families have never had to work, they are born and raised with abundant money and therefore have not had to challenge themselves to achieve anything; whenever Daisy and Jordan are mentioned they are simply attending parties or laying on sofas. This shows that once the social ladder is climbed, there is no need to do anything more, simply enjoy your wealthiness and privileges. On the other hand, people either poor or from new wealth in some cases, have to work hard to achieve anything they desire. Gatsby is always shown working or on phone calls to important cities, presumably about work matters. 

In conclusion, in both books, we see conflicts between social classes and generally, a strong critique of wealthy people.