HUNGER GAMES Meaning and
Definition
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Hunger Games is a term originally derived from Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy of novels, later adapted into a successful film franchise. It refers to an annual televised event set in the fictional nation of Panem, which was once North America after it had been devastated by a series of calamities.
In the Hunger Games, one boy and one girl, aged between twelve and eighteen, are chosen from each of the twelve districts that make up Panem. These twenty-four participants, known as "tributes," are then forced to compete in a brutal fight to the death, until only one survivor remains. This grim spectacle serves as both entertainment and a means of control enforced by The Capitol, the ruling authority in Panem.
The purpose of the Hunger Games is twofold: to remind the districts of their subjugation and to instill fear and discourage rebellion among the oppressed population. The games are designed to be ruthless and unpredictable, with a vast arena manipulated by the game makers, filled with traps, obstacles, and limited resources. Tributes must utilize their survival skills, intelligence, and physical prowess to outlast and eliminate their opponents, while also surviving the whims of the game makers.
The term "Hunger Games" has transcended the fictional world and is now commonly used in broader contexts to describe any competitive, dog-eat-dog environment or situation where individuals or groups struggle ruthlessly against each other for limited resources, power, or survival. It embodies the notions of sacrifice, oppression, and the human will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds.
Etymology of HUNGER GAMES
The term "Hunger Games" was created by Suzanne Collins for her best-selling dystopian young adult novel series of the same name. The words "hunger" and "games" have their own distinct etymologies:
1. Hunger: The word "hunger" originated from the Old English term "hungor" and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hungruz". It is related to the Gothic word "hungrus" and the Old High German word "hungar". The word has remained fairly consistent in its meaning throughout history, referring to the feeling of discomfort or desire caused by a lack of food.
2. Games: The word "game" comes from the Old English word "gamen", which had the general sense of "joy, fun, amusement". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "gamanan", which means "to play".
