Discussion Topic

Types and central conflict in Mockingjay

Summary:

The types of conflict in Mockingjay include man vs. society, man vs. self, and man vs. man. The central conflict revolves around Katniss Everdeen's struggle against the oppressive regime of the Capitol and President Snow, alongside her internal battles with trauma, leadership responsibilities, and moral dilemmas in the fight for freedom.

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What is the major conflict in Mockingjay?

The major conflict is between all of the districts and the capital; during the entire book, these two main groups are fighting with each other.  The conflict is over who will gain control in the end--will it be the materialistic capital who has been in charge for so long now,...

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oppressing its people and using them for slave labor?  Or will it be the leadership of District 13, who have been staging a rebellion for years?   It is through this conflict, that is played out in District 12, Disctrict 12, and the capital streets itself, that is such a good showcasing for rather serious themes of war, violence, power and greed that are evident throughout the book.

Minor conflicts erupt between Katniss and various characters throughout the book, but the major conflict lies in the larger picture of the battle for power between the districts and the capital. I hope that helps; good luck!

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What types of conflict are present in Mockingjay?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is ripe with conflict, most predominantly Man vs. Man and Man vs. Self.

Man vs. Man

The heart of the conflict in Mockingjay is the open rebellion of the districts against the Capitol.  President Coins' forces from District 13 lead the other districts in an uprising.  The battles escalate in violence, from the fire-bombing of District 12 to the decimation of the hospital in District 8. 

President Snow also takes the war to a personal level with Katniss when he leaves her the white rose in her Victor house, "a promise of revenge" that "whispers, 'I can find you. I can reach you. Perhaps I am watching you now'" (99).  Katniss answers back in her propo video when she says:

  "President Snow says he's sending us a message? Well, I have one for him.  You can torture us and bomb us and burn our districts to the ground...Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!" (99-100)

Man vs. Self

Katniss and Peeta both face internal struggles in Mockingjay as well.  Katniss debates her role in the rebellion, questioning whether she is being manipulated and used by Coin similar to the misuse by the Capitol.  Katniss also struggles discerning her true feelings for Gale and Peeta. 

Peeta has tremendous internal conflict after the Capitol "highjacks" him, using a type of "fear conditioning" with tracker jacker venom (180).  "Arguing with himself like he was two people," most of his struggle in the novel happens internally as he tries to figure out what is real (244).

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