Within The Hunger Games, the Capitol constantly reminds the Districts of their complete dominance and control, but the mockingjay shows otherwise. The Capitol bred genetically altered animals to use as weapons during the rebellion: "one was a special bird called a jabberjay that had the ability to memorize and repeat whole conversations" (Collins 43). After their use, they are left in the wild to die, but instead they mate "with female mockingbirds creating a whole new species that could replicate both bird whistles and human melodies" called mockingjays (44). The mockingjays are "a slap in the face to the capital" because they are a sign of rebellion (43). They are living proof that it is possible to escape the control of the Capitol and, thus, that the Capitol does not have as much power and control over the creatures of Panem as they portray they have.
Before leaving for the Capitol, Katniss is given a mockingjay pin to wear during the Games as the District 12 token. By wearing this pin, Katniss is rubbing the Capitol's failure in their face as well as partaking in the little resistance she can manage without getting into too much trouble. It is a reminder to the Capitol that it is possible for creatures to be free of their control, which can also be seen with how the 74th Hunger Games ends. At the end when Katniss and Peeta believe they both have won the games, Claudius Templesmith announces that "the earlier revision has been revoked...only one winner may be allowed" (337). Refusing to give in and knowing "they have to have a victor", Katniss and Peeta decide to commit a double suicide by eating poisonous nightlock berries, but are stopped just in time for the announcer to declare them both victors (338). This little form of resistance shows the Capitol that, no matter how hard they try, they lack full control over the people and creatures of Panem. Just as the mockingjay escaped the Capitol's clutches, Katniss represents the people's power to also resist and rebel against the tyranny of the Capitol.
In the novel, the mockingjay is also associated with Katniss's father, who would "whistle or sing complicated songs to them", and with Rue, who "sings a little four-note run" to them to spread so everyone knows work is over (44, 210). Both her father and Rue are fire beneath the anger Katniss has against the Capitol and for her desire to seek vengeance and punish them for their wrongdoings. These characters are related to the mockingjay because they represent reasons why the Capitol needs to be stopped, and the necessity for the Districts to rebel. As hard as the Capitol tries, there will always be reasons for the people to rebel, and there will always be the mockingjays that pull it off.
Although the Mockingjay serves as a bright testament to the fires of rebellion in The Hunger Games, it can also serve as a symbol of the discrepancy between the Capitol and the Districts. The Mockingjay is a small bird, and although it has an interesting skill and social network, it is otherwise unimposing. The Capitol is a massive city full of gluttonous people, high technology, and little regard for the Districts. The Capitol believes that since it is so much larger and capable compared to the Districts, it has nothing to worry about. However, the Mockingjay is cunning, social, and mysterious. So too are the Districts, because they have less technology than the Capitol and little hope of taking them down, but by capitalizing on their few skills, they are a force to be feared.
ReplyDeleteThe Mockingjay can also, in a less direct way, be viewed as a symbol of rebirth. From the evil city that has subjugated the masses for decades comes a weapon of their creation used for war. However, this weapon is changed from being a method to spy on the people of Panem into a beautiful aspect of nature that pervades the Districts. This can give the people of the Districts hope that even though there are many evils from the Capitol – the District system, biological weapons, etc. – they can change them into something beautiful.
The mockingjay also represents Katniss, and her ability to rebel against the capital, while also displaying characteristics needed for a successful revolution.
ReplyDeleteWhen Katniss and Rue plot to destroy the supply owned by the careers, Rue teaches Katniss a short train of notes that can be carried by mockingjays. She encourages her concerned comrade, “’But if you hear the mockingjays singing it, you’ll know I’m okay, only I can’t get back right away,’” (213). When Katniss fails to hear the mockingjay song, she knows something has gone wrong with Rue. Again, Katniss uses this strategy of communication with Peeta. She teaches him a different tune, “which [they] can use to communicate that [they’re] alright,” (316). Using the mockingjay in this way not only depicts the bird as a powerful communication platform, but also displays the bird itself as something that promises safety and protection when it sings.
In addition, the way the mockingjays communicate as a group mimic the beginnings of a revolution. While Katniss waits for Rue to return to the meeting location, she hears, “Rue’s four-note tune coming out of a mockingjay’s mouth… another just a short distance ahead, picks up on the handful of notes,” (232). The mockingjays learn from each other and pass the notes around like n assembly. Once one acquires the song, the others quickly pick up on it. Katniss shows this again singing Rue’s four-note song and describes, “I repeat the notes in the silence. First one mockingjay trills the tune back, then another. Then the whole world comes along with the sound,” (329). All it takes is one mockingjay to spark the flame for all the other mockingjays to catch onto the tune. It is no wonder Katniss is called the Mockingjay as the spokesperson for the rebellion in later books.