Sophie Sheen

The Hunger Games Teenager Representation

Teenagers are represented in many ways during the clip. Firstly, teenagers
are represented as brave and loyal. This is portrayed throughout the role
of the heroine/protagonist Katniss Everdeen. For example, Katniss
volunteers for tribute instead of her younger sister, who was chosen.
Moreover, being tribute is life-threatening and dangerous. This portrays
Katniss as brave due to the fact that she is putting her life at risk and
sacrifices herself in order to protect her younger sister. Furthermore, it
also presents Katniss as loyal because it emphasises how far she would go
to save her loved ones, she would go to the extent of putting her life at
danger in order to do this. The fact that she is wearing a blue dress during
this emphasises her nurturing nature because the colour blue is
associated with loyalty, wisdom and faith. This is an anti-stereotype
because a teenage girl is stereotypically pusillanimous and selfish,
resulting in them not to go to such extreme and colossal extents for
another individual.
However, the whole protecting a younger sister aspect is stereotypical
because normally an older sibling would protect a younger one or at least
attempt to prevent any dangerous occurrence. By volunteering for tribute
and hunting this also represents teenagers as rebellious and reckless. This
is because Katniss goes against the traditions of the games because an
individual (Primrose) was already chosen to participate and the fact that
she hunts when it is forbidden. This is stereotypical of a teenager because
teenagers stereotypically break the rules and do as they desire. Moreover,
the fact that it is going against what the adults have already announced,
furtherly connotes the superiority that adolescents feel compared to
adults and how much they disobey rules. The fact that she hunts also
shows that she does not care about rules and does what she desires.
Moreover, she continues to hunt despite the fact that she could get
caught and get into serious trouble, this portrays the rebellious aspect.
However, the factor that bases this concept of rebelling is due to
protection and well-being of her family. For example, she rebels to prevent
her sister getting hurt and she hunts to provide food for her family. This is
anti-stereotypical because of the fact that teenagers do not rebel for
serious and aiding factors, they stereotypically rebel to be considered as
cool and trendy. This is also anti-stereotypical because teenagers usually
rely on adults to do things for them, such as making food. However,
Katniss independently does this herself.
This representation of recklessness is also shown throughout the diegetic
sound. This is portrayed through Peeta Mellarks dialogue: They dont own
me. This is a stereotypical teenager thing to say because it implies that

Sophie Sheen

they believe that they can do as they wish despite them being younger.
Furthermore, it shows that teenagers believe that that they are superior to
adults, and because of this they disobey their rules, which is stereotypical.
This again portrays teenagers as rebellious due to the fact that Peeta
chooses to do what he desires and not conform as required. The fact that
when Peeta says this, all non-diegetic sounds that is occurring around this
point stop, for example the music playing stops. This represents teenagers
as serious due to the fact that Peeta already discusses solemn things,
however the fact that it is bare silence furtherly emphasises the
significance of the conversation because it is only the diegetic sound of
his voice speaking. This is an anti-stereotype for teenagers because
teenagers stereotypically do not care about anything and do not take
things as a joke, whereas Peeta does behave in a serious way.
By volunteering, Katniss goes against her peers. This represents
teenagers as being their own individual. This is an anti-stereotype
because stereotypically adolescents attempt to fit in by copying others
and following the crowd. Moreover, this creates similarities within
individuals, therefore increasing the ease to fit in. The fact that Katniss
does not possess similar behavioural attitudes as the other teenagers
emphasises how much she does not care of what they think of her. A big
role in a teenagers life is to be socially accepted and many do this by
being what they call in informal language a sheep. An individual is called
this when they follow the crowd and do as others do even if they disagree
with it. However, as we can see this does not apply for Katniss as she goes
against her peers. However, the group of teenagers present in the tableau
do not snigger or laugh at Katniss different behaviour. This is an antistereotype. This is because normally teenagers are judgemental and
critical towards one another if one possesses different views/behaviours.
The teenagers did not react much to Katniss outburst, and most certainly
did not have a negative view on it if they even had a view.
Teenagers are represented as determined through mise en scene
Katniss clothing. Katniss is seen wearing brown boots and dull masculine
clothing. Moreover, she always has her hair tied back out of her face. This
shows that she prioritises work/hunting rather than appearance. This is an
anti-stereotype for teenage girls because stereotypically teenage girls like
dressing up with revealing flattering clothes, having their hair down (as it
emphasises femininity) and wearing makeup all to get male attention.
However, we can see that Katniss is more devoted into helping her family
due to this lack of care about appearance. Furthermore, the fact that when
she is about to get made up she says so youre here to make me look
pretty with a serious countenance also represents teenagers as uncaring
about their appearance. This is an anti-stereotype on teenagers because

Sophie Sheen

stereotypically they do care about their appearance and attempt to

improve it by trying to get rid of imperfections such as spots and by
wearing makeup. However, Katniss is portrayed as sarcastic when saying
this and her serious countenance also expresses this. Teenager girls
stereotypically would love the idea of having a makeover and getting
brand new clothing. So the fact that Katniss does not care about
appearance is an anti-stereotype of teenagers. This shows that the mice
en scene associated with the protagonist creates an anti-stereotype for
teenagers.
When made up, Katniss is made to wear a red revealing dress. This is to
gain popularity from the male audience to support her in the hunger
games. The colour red is associated with danger and foreshadowing. This
resembles Katniss and portrays her as superior to the others competing
within the games. The colour red is also associated with seduction and in
fact it is the colour of prostitution. This emphasises how much Katniss is
being sexualised in order to gain male support. Furthermore, it shows that
she is giving her innocence away and selling herself in a certain
perspective in order to gain support. This is stereotypical for the portrayal
of teenage girls in social media because of the fact that they are
sexualised in order to gain this attraction to the male audience despite the
youth element. This mise en scene shows that social medias
representation of teenage girls is similar to real life representation of
teenagers.
Teenage girls are represented as weak and needy. This is portrayed
throughout the character of Katniss younger sister Primrose Everdeen.
Primrose is worried about getting chose for tribute and seeks comfort from
Katniss, also when Katniss volunteers for tribute Primrose screams. This
diegetic sound shows that Primrose is dependent on other individuals and
is easily frightened. The fact that she screams suggests that she does not
want to lose Katniss because she is worried about isolation. This is
stereotypical for teenage girls because of the fact that they tend to
depend on other people for comfort and they tend to be weak and scared
frequently. Mise en scene also presents the fact that her hair is styled in
two plait tails shows this inferiority and weakness of a teenage girl. Which
is again stereotypical due to the innocence and vulnerability that teenage
girls are said to of possessed.
Teenage boys are represented as romantic and optimistic through the love
interest of the protagonist - Gale Hawthorne. It is shown through diegetic
sound. For example, Gale says to Katniss We can run away. This shows
the romance element due to the fact that he is implying that all he wants
is to be with her. Moreover, this also shows optimism because when he

Sophie Sheen

says it they are talking about a negative occurrence. This optimism is also
shown when Gale reassures Katniss that it will be okay. It shows that he
finds way to make it into a positive situation. This is an anti-stereotype for
a teenage boy because of the fact that stereotypically boys do not really
understand girls and do not enjoy showing a soft side. In reply to this
romantic gesture Katniss simply says Theyd catch us. This represents
teenage girls as realistic and unromantic. This is an anti-stereotype for a
girl because normally they enjoy romantic things being said, however
Katniss dismisses the romance. Also, stereotypically girls are the
individuals to dream about such things as running away with one of the
opposite sex. This part of dialogue is anti-stereotypes for both genders.
When Gale is reassuring Katniss, over the shoulder shots are used. This is
to illustrate the relationship between Katniss and Gale. It shows the
negative emotions possessed by Katniss and Gale. It represents teenagers
as emotional due to the fact that it highlights the seriousness and
miserableness of the fact that Katniss may get hurt. This is stereotypical
of teenagers because they are stereotyped to possess moody behavioural
patterns and to be negative.
Teenage boys are also represented as protecting and brave. This is
portrayed when a drone comes close to Katniss and Gale, and he puts his
arm around her and gets her out of the way. This is stereotypical because
normally the male gender is classed as the brave ones because they are
physically stronger. To support this, Katniss cowers under his arms and
allows this protection given to her. This represents teenage girls as weak
as she does not protect herself and is frightened by the drone. This is
stereotypical because teenage girls are classed as weak and need
protected by male individuals. Also, teenage girls stereotypically care a lot
about having a relationship with a boy for this sense of security. It shows
that girls are stereotypically weak and boys are stereotypically strong.
Teenager boys are also represented as scrawny and weedy. This is
throughout the character of Peeta. For a boy that is chosen for the games
and is classed as strong, Peeta does not look it, for example he is skinny
and lanky. Peeta is also blonde which stereotypically emphasises this
femininity, lack of intelligence and bravery. This is an anti-stereotype for a
teenager active boy/hero because they are normally dark and strong. It
shows that Peeta is not a typical hero due to this lack of manly
appearance.
Teenagers are also represented as competitive. This is shown throughout
the teenagers all together. For example, many teenage individuals, when
training, are particularly focused on getting precise aims with their bow
and arrows. This emphasises how serious they are taken the games and

Sophie Sheen

how much they desire to win. Also, when the games actually start, it
shows all of the competitors rapidly running to beat the others
surrounding them. This is stereotypical for teenagers because they
stereotypically compete with each other in real life to be the best, for
example to have the trendiest clothing or new gadgets. The use of
dangerous items like bows and arrows and the fact that these teenagers
fight psychically each other represents teenagers as violent. This is
because of them hurting one another in order to be the best and win. This
is stereotypical to teenagers because they are classed as violent people
due to the fact that news stories presented by social media contain
violence acts of teenagers. During the action part where all the teenagers
are training, a lot of jump cutting occurs. This editing represents
teenagers as out of control and energetic due to the fact that the jump
cuts are very frequent and unsystematic. This is stereotypical because
teenagers are classed as wild. Furthermore, the non-diegetic sound of
drum beats when the games have just started and the teenagers are
sprinting represents teenagers as nervous. For example, the rapid
drumbeats resemble the heart beats of the teenagers. This is nonstereotypical of teenagers because of the fact that they stereotypically are
self-assured and confident.
The binary opposites of teenagers (adults) are represented as controlling
and important. This is shown because they are the ones in charge of the
whole games and inform everybody else where and when to meet.
Moreover, they seem to dress in fancy clothing which gives the impression
of superiority. This is stereotypical because normally adults are the ones in
charge despite the fact that teenagers may disobey what they say.
Moreover, they enjoy inferior people knowing that they are in charge and
do this by dressing up in formal and aristocratic clothing. However, adults
do show some respect for teenagers when they emulate the action of
Katniss and show their support. This shows that for a short period of time
the teenager is represented as respected and superior from this
emulation. This is an anti-stereotype because teenagers are
stereotypically inferior to adults. Moreover, adults are stereotypically the
respected individuals, not teenagers.
Before the countdown of the beginning of the games has started, music
plays. However when the countdown begins it stops and when the games
do start the music plays again more loud and rapid. This use of diegetic
sound creates tension because of the silence occurring just before the
beginning. This represents teenagers as dramatic because of the fact that
it signifies the importance of the games. This is stereotypical for
teenagers because of the fact that they stereotypically tend to exaggerate
and dramatize things.