A Jungian Interpretation of The Hunger Games: A Myth that Defines Our Times. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merritt, Frazer; Merritt, Dennis; Lu, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Jung journal. Volume 12:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: archetype -- George W. Bush -- feminine -- The Hunger Games, C. G. Jung -- Jungian -- Katniss -- myth -- President Snow -- Senex -- Suzanne Collins -- visionary art -- Marie-Louise von Franz; Psychoanalysis and culture -- Periodicals; Jungian psychology -- Periodicals; Jungian psychology; Psychoanalysis and culture; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 150.195405
• DOI: 10.1080/19342039.2018.1478558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-2039

Abstract

ABSTRACT: C. G. Jung's literary theories provide insights into the archetypal dynamics behind Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games and help elucidate the trilogy's astonishing global popularity. President Snow represents a senex archetype whose reign has petrified and is in need of renewal, whereas Katniss represents a feminine hero aligned with the Self. Jung believed myths compensate for the one-sided dominant attitude of an era, and it is plausible The Hunger Games speaks to the present-day danger of an overly powerful senex in the form of big government and corporate power. Published in 2008, the story offers a metaphoric understanding of the deep dissatisfaction with the Bush administration.