Suzanne Collins’ latest prequel, “The Sunrise on the Reaping,” was released on March 18 and it reminds us how propaganda shapes public perception, a theme that resonates in today’s political climate.
The novel follows Haymitch Abernathy, a beloved character from the original “Hunger Games” trilogy, through his experience in the 50th Quarter Quell and his fight to control his story.
Each Quarter Quell marks a significant event in the state of Panem, serving as a powerful reminder of the Capitol’s dominance over the districts.
These events occur every 25 years to signify the importance of the Capitol’s win over the rebels, including higher budgets and increasingly horrible stakes.
Through controlling the narrative of the Hunger Games, the Capitol ensures its power like modern governments and media entities shape public discourse.
These games are designed as punishment and psychological warfare for the different districts' rebellions.
The book’s cover features a flint striker intertwined with a Mockingjay and a snake, symbolizing the duality of people in both good and evil.
The Mockingjay is a powerful symbol of rebellion throughout the series, representing the Capitol’s failures.
Created by the Capitol to spy on the districts during the first rebellion, the Jabberjays were intended to listen in on their plans.
Over time, the Jabberjays mated with Mockingbirds, resulting in the Mockingjay – a living testament to the Capitol’s attempt to control, only to be outwitted by the very forces they sought to dominate.
Throughout the book, the snake is connected to the brutality of the Hunger Games, as we see the tribute’s capacity for cruelty.
While the districts are forced to participate in the Games and take lives, they are not inherently evil but survive.
The novel begins with four quotes from influential thinkers, including David Hume and George Orwell, setting the tone for the themes of inevitability, power and the manipulation of the truth.
Abernathy’s story reveals how selective storytelling can be weaponized and highlights the dangers of government-controlled media and historical revisionism.
David Hume’s quote warns in the opening, “That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation that it will rise.”
From the start, Collins prepares us for the message ahead as Hunger Games fans eagerly anticipate more games but finish the book in tears over Abernathy’s real story.
The book’s title, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” symbolizes Abernathy and the district’s struggle with the belief that the Hunger Games are as inevitable as the rising sun.
Meanwhile, the Capitol decides what is seen and what is erased, crafting a reality that serves as a reminder of submission in the districts.
Abernathy’s suffering is broadcasted as entertainment, while the systemic oppression of District 12 remains hidden, mirroring how governments suppress unfavorable narratives.
Constant propaganda, such as signs reading “NO PEACEKEEPERS, NO PEACE” or “President Snow: #1 PEACEKEEPER”, reinforces the districts’ lack of strength and crushes any lingering hope of rebellion.
Peacekeepers embody the Capitol’s control over the districts, enforcing the government’s rule through propaganda and violence.
The theme of the Quarter Quell, as originally mentioned in “Catching Fire,” revealed that Abernathy was reaped alongside 47 other tributes – 24 more than in Katniss’ original games.
This detail further emphasizes that the districts vastly outnumber the Capitol, yet remain powerless under its control.
After defying a Peacekeeper to protect his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, Abernathy is forced into the Hunger Games, though none of this is ever shown to the Capitol audience.
During Abernathy’s reaping ceremony, what the rest of Panem sees is far from the reality of what truly happens.
Collins reinforces the idea that history is often rewritten by those in power to control the outcome that best suits their needs.
The author does an excellent job of acknowledging the intense themes of control from the government through the story without hitting you over the head with it.
The Capitol even controls what people remember about past Hunger Games, reading moments of defiance and amplifying those that support their authority.
Through Abernathy’s eyes, Collins expands the history of District 12, deepening our understanding of the Capitol’s relentless grip up until Katniss’s time.
As a longtime fan, the new information about District 12 throughout the story felt to be both accurate and effective, staying true to the original series without making unnecessary changes.
The economic disparity and daily struggles of the Seam reflect real-world issues of wealth inequality and government control.
The Seam is also the home of both Katniss Everdeen and Haymitch Abernathy, who each take on the role of primary provider for their families.
The contrast between the Capitol’s extreme excess and District 12’s poverty is even more pronounced here, illustrating how the elite like President Snow thrive by keeping others in desperation.
Lenore Dove embodies the hope for change as she continues to challenge the fatalistic thinking that is common among the districts.
“And that’s part of our trouble. Thinking things are inevitable. Not believing change is possible,” Dove said.
Her words contrast with the Capitol’s effort to instill helplessness in the districts as her hope is precisely what they are trying to eliminate.
Dove’s words echo throughout Abernathy’s time in the Games as a defiant response to the Capitol’s attempt to strip individuals of their identity and agency.
His time in the Games, particularly the manipulation and betrayal he endures, also set the stage for his later struggles with alcoholism.
Abernathy’s arc is both heartbreaking and compelling, I was so engrossed that I finished the book in a night.
The Quarter Quell was the start of the revolution that would unfold in Katniss Everdeen’s time, and it was Abernathy’s later struggles with alcoholism that now feel more of an understandable coping mechanism.
His pain is not just personal but symbolic of the collective trauma experienced by victors after their time in the Games.
Overall, Collins delivers a timely warning about the power of propaganda and the manipulation of the truth at the expense of the people.
As I read the prequel, its reflection on how history is shaped and controlled makes its message feel more relevant than ever.
The Capitol’s ability to distort reality, reframe history and use fear as a tool of control mirrors real-world authoritarian tactics.
Even subtle changes, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, serve as examples of how the current administration in the U.S. is using the media and press to manipulate public perception.
Through expanding the lore of Panem and furthering the audience’s understanding of its characters, the “Hunger Games” series remains a powerful commentary on the nature of power and resistance.
By weaving these timeless themes into her narrative, Collins challenges us to question the truths we are fed and remain vigilant against those who seek to control our perceptions.
