Misuse of Power: How the Capitol’s Method of Control Is Unsuccessful

Misuse of Power: How the Capitol’s Method of Control Is Unsuccessful 

Control is the power of being able to influence or change people's behaviour. All around the world, the government has an essential role in making laws and education systems to controlling their citizens, which does not always work. The government is supposed to make people feel safe and protected. In Suzanne Collins’s book, The Hunger Games, the Capitol misuses its power, thus making its control over the citizens of Panem non-successful. This is displayed by the Gamemakers allowing there to be two victors of the Hunger Games, how District 12 goes behind the Capitols back, and how the Hunger Games are used to produce fear from the districts, which is administered by Gamemakers. However, the Capitol still can not influence the events of what the Tributes do in the arena. 

The initial example that President Snow expects the districts to be obliged under his strict control, which is not successful, is proved when the Gamemakers allow both Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark to be victors when there is supposed to be only one. For example, a quote that proves this point is when Claudius Templesmith states, “Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, and Peeta Mellark! I give you — the tributes of District Twelve!” (Collins 338). This quote supports the argument of the Capitol losing its control by letting there be two victors because the Gamemakers knew they had no control over what Katniss and Peeta did. Another quote that proves this argument is in chapter twenty-five when Katniss states, “They’d have failed the Capitol. Might possibly even be executed, slowly and painfully while the cameras broadcast it to every screen in the country.” (Collins 337). The quote provided proves the Head Gamemakers not having a choice of crowning both Katniss and Peeta as victors because he knew what would happen if they both died. The indicated also supports the argument of President Snow losing his control over his citizens because he could not alter or influence the course of this event. The debate of the Gamemakers allowing both District Twelve Tributes to win is significant because it represents that no matter how much the government or a person controls people, it does not mean that everything goes according to their plan. It also symbolizes that everyone can take control over a situation even when the odds are against them. No matter what the Gamemakers allowed to happen, the Capitol would still have no sway in either circumstance, which is why no matter how strict the Capitol’s rules are, its control over Panem is failing. 

Furthermore, another excellent example that President Snow’s control over Panem is falling, displayed by District twelve, home to Katniss and Peeta, is how they go behind the Capitol’s back and dismiss some of their government’s rules. This point is proven when Katniss states, “Discuss little more trades in the Hob, which is the black market where I make most of my money.” (Collins 6). Since the hob is illegal, it proves that district twelve does not follow all the strict rules provided by the Capitol, which also supports the argument that President Snow’s control is failing because the Peacekeepers in this district are not doing their job. Along with the first quote that proves the argument, stated in chapter one Katniss, says, “Even though trespassing in the woods is illegal and poaching carries the severest of penalties, more people would risk it if they had weapons.” (Collins 5). This quote is significant proof that district twelve does not follow the rules given by the Capitol because Katniss stated that if more people had weapons, more citizens would hunt in the woods. This quote supports the idea of the Capitol’s control being unsuccessful because if it is working, then Katniss would not be trespassing in the woods. These quotes are significant because they represent that humans will do anything it takes to provide for themselves or their families even when there is a risk of cruel punishment. The only reason the citizens of District Twelve disobey their government is that the Capitol feels no guilt with the people of this district being poor and left starving, which proves the argument of the Capitol losing its control because they abused it. 

The final evidence that the Capitols try of controlling the districts of Panem, which continuously fails, is demonstrated by the fact that the Hunger Games are used to produce fear from the citizens. However, the Capitol still can not influence what the Tributes do in the arena, even though it is highly controlled. For instance, when Peeta states, “I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.” (Collins 139). This quote supports the point that no matter how far the Capitol is willing to go to ensure it has total control over Panem, they can not control the actual person. Therefore, they can not control their citizens either because they have too many people who do not support their government. Another example is when Katniss states, “I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can not own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I.” (Collins 232). This quote supports both arguments of how the Capitols control is failing and how they can not even control the most controlled settings; Katniss refers to showing the viewers watching the games, a sign of rebellion to honour her fellow tribute, Rue. These quotes are significant because they represent people having the courage to stand up for what they believe in, even when they know there will be consequences. Another symbolization within these statements shows what a good leader is because Katniss and Peeta do not let the Capitol influence their beliefs. These statements prove that the Capitol does not have control over their citizens because they have the freedom to have their values even if they are not comfortable openly expressing them. 

The use of control is to exhibit dominance and power. When in good hands, the well-being of people is a concern, but in others, it is misused. First, the Gamemakers allowed two victors to win the Hunger Games because they had lost control of the remaining two tributes. Moreover, District Twelve goes behind the Capitol's backs by the Mayor of district twelve, permitting his citizens to run a black market and how their citizens trespass in the woods. Ultimately, the Capitol can not control even the most controlled settings, like in the arena, because people like Katniss and Peeta do not let President Snow influence their beliefs. All of these points demonstrate how the Capitol exploits its control over its citizens, making it seem less noteworthy and more unsuccessful in Collins's book, The Hunger Games. Overall, this argument has a notable amount of importance because it relates to people finding their voice, which will help civilians who are afraid of the punishments for freedom of speech.