Discussion Topic

Examples of figurative language in The Hunger Games

Summary:

Examples of figurative language in The Hunger Games include metaphors, similes, and personification. For instance, Katniss describes her emotions as "a mockingjay trapped inside a cage," using metaphor to convey her entrapment. Similes are used when she compares the Capitol's citizens to "brightly colored birds." Personification appears when the Capitol is described as "breathing down our necks," emphasizing its oppressive presence.

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What evidence from The Hunger Games Book 1 shows figurative language?

Figurative language is language that is not meant to be taken literally. It is creative language used to add spice and interest to a writer’s work.  Much of the writing in this work is sparse and concise in tone, but occasionally there is some figurative language to add a spark.  Figurative language might include a simile or a metaphor.  A simile, like the one below, will use a comparison with “like” or “as.”

But today, despite the bright banners hanging on the buildings, there's an air of grimness.  The camera crews, perched like buzzards on rooftops, only add to the effect. (Ch. 1)

In this case, the camera crews are compared to buzzards because they are preying on the people at the reaping.  Although the Capital tries to create a festive atmosphere by hanging colorful banners, the people know that some of their children will be chosen.  They are not feeling cheerful.

There is another type of comparison that is more direct.

We always wait to trade with him when his witch of a wife isn’t around because he’s so much nicer. (Ch. 3)

This is an example of a metaphor.  Katniss does not like the baker’s wife.  She saw her beat Peeta for giving Katniss bread at one time.  This is why she says “witch of a wife.” She is comparing her to a witch, but she does not say that she is like a witch.  She says that she is a witch.  This is what makes it a metaphor.

As we have seen, figurative language can be used for characterization, as well as to describe the setting. Sometimes, similes or metaphors can be paired for increased effect. 

One time, my mother told me that I always eat like I'll never see food again. And I said, "I won't unless I bring it home." That shut her up.

When my stomach feels like it's about to split open, I lean back and take in my breakfast companions. (Ch. 4)

Here, the two similes both work together to show how Katniss is not used to getting food, and her reaction to getting an unlimited supply.  Katniss does not want to take advantage of her circumstances, because she does not like the Capital, but she is so hungry that she can’t help herself.

Although there are not many examples of figurative language in this book, there are a few.  When they are included, they are more meaningful because they are rare.  Since the language is so stark and simple, they stand out more, and add to the storytelling.  They characterize Katniss and other characters, and help to describe the setting and create a mood.

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Can you provide an example of figurative language from Chapter 10 of The Hunger Games?

Katniss uses figurative language to describe her reaction to Peeta telling Caesar and the audience that he loves her.

Figurative language is language that is not meant to be taken literally.  Figurative language can consist of similes, metaphors, personification, and other strategies. 

Here is an example of a metaphor from Chapter 10.

I press my lips together and stare at the floor, hoping this will conceal the emotions starting to boil up inside of me. (Ch. 10)

A metaphor is an indirect comparison.  This is a metaphor because Katniss is describing the emotions that seem to be boiling inside her, but of course nothing is literally boiling.  She is just very upset, because she has heard Peeta say that he loved her.  Katniss is not sure what is going on.  She does not know if Peeta is just playing to the cameras, of it he actually means it.

Another example of figurative language is related to this same incident.

The roar of the crowd is deafening. Peeta has absolutely wiped the rest of us off the map with his declaration of love for me. When the audience finally settles down, he chokes out a quiet “Thank you” and returns to his seat. (Ch. 10)

When Katniss says Peeta has wiped the other competitors off the map, she means it figuratively.  There is no literal map.  The map is a metaphor for competition.  The idiom of wiping someone off a map means to get rid of the competition.

What Katniss means is that Peeta instantly became the most interesting competitor with his tale of unrequited love.  Since the contestants are supposed to kill each other to win, Peeta’s comment means that he was sent to kill the one he loves.  The audience is very sympathetic to him.  Katniss is furious at him.  She does not like being used as bait for sponsors.

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What figurative language is used in The Hunger Games?

Suzanne Collins uses plenty of figurative language in her famous young adult novel The Hunger Games. Let's take a look at three of the most common types of figurative language: simile, metaphor, and personification.

A simile is a type of figurative language that uses the words "like" or "as" to compare two things that are alike. Here's an example of a simile from the very first page of the book:

"Prim’s face is as fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose for which she was named."

This simile, which compares the character Primrose Everdeen to both a raindrop and a flower, conveys the idea that Prim is very beautiful, as well as being young and innocent. Here's another example of a simile:

"But today, despite the bright banners hanging on the buildings, there's an air of grimness. The camera crews, perched like buzzards on rooftops, only add to the effect."

This simile here is used to show how unsafe Katniss feels during the reaping, like a vulnerable animal being watched by buzzards.

Metaphors, another type of figurative language, directly compare two things without the use of "like" or "as."

"Career tributes are overly vicious, arrogant, better fed, but only because they’re the Capitol’s lapdogs."

Collins is not literally saying that these people are lapdogs; this passage suggests they are given preferential treatment by those in the Capitol just as a beloved lapdog would be given preferential treatment by a human owner.

Yet another type of figurative language is personification, which gives human characteristics to something that is not human.

"The woods became our savior, and each day I went a bit farther into its arms."

Here Collins personifies the woods, figuratively giving them arms to be held in, conveying that this is a place where Katniss feels safer.

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What are some examples of figurative language in The Hunger Games?

In the novel, The Hunger Games, figurative language  can represent something, compare two unlike things, make something which is not human have human characteristics, and be used to enhance the picture in the reader's mind of what is happening at the moment.   For example, when Katniss volunteers to replace her sister Prim, Prim "wrapped her skinny arms around me like a vice."  When Katniss is remembering Peeta giving her the burned bread, she takes it home, "clinging to life."  When Katniss is aboard the tribute train,  she takes a shower, and says "It's like being in a summer rain, only warmer." Each of these examples make the picture clearer for the reader.  The first example shows the desperation Prim feels for a vice is made to hold onto something with an unbreakable grip.  The second example compares the burned bread Peeta gives to Katniss to life itself, for to her the bread is life and gives her the idea of how to support her family.  The third example shows the country girl wondering about what she faces as even a shower is unfamiliar.  Writers need to use figurative language to create the pictures which help you see the characters and the actions of the story.  With these examples, you should be able to find many more in the story.

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