The Hunger Games: Why do the Games exist in the first place?

In the prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins explores the origins of the Hunger Games themselves. Set 64 years before the events of the original trilogy, the story begins with the 10th Hunger Games, which were significantly different from the later iterations. The Games at this time consisted of 24 tributes, two from each of the 12 districts, who were forced to fight to the death in a literal sports stadium. The spectacle was not as popular or exciting as it would become in later years, with even the citizens of the Capitol finding it dull.To inject some life into the Games, 24 students from the Capitol's elite Academy were chosen to mentor the tributes. Among them was 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who is determined to restore honor to his family name through his achievements. However, his plans are disrupted when he is paired with Lucy Gray, a tribute from the impoverished District Twelve. Lucy Gray may not be strong or deadly, but she has an engaging personality and captivates the audience with her folk singing.Coriolanus realizes that he can use Lucy Gray's charm to his advantage and begins pitching ideas to the Gamemakers to make the Games more entertaining and engaging for the audience. He suggests interviews with the tributes, allowing viewers to bet on their favorites, and granting sponsors the ability to support their chosen tribute. As a result, the Games start to evolve into the spectacle they become in the original trilogy.But why do the Games exist in the first place? The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes delves into this question through Coriolanus Snow's investigation guided by Dr. Gaul, the menacing Head Gamemaker. Driven by her belief that the Games are necessary to maintain order and prevent humanity from descending into a state of nature, Dr. Gaul teaches Coriolanus the reasoning behind the existence of the Games.While the book explores the political philosophy behind the Games, it does not attempt to justify or sympathize with Coriolanus Snow, the future villain of the trilogy. Collins maintains a slight remove from Coriolanus, portraying him as a cold and calculating individual who views most of the tributes as less than human. As readers, we witness Coriolanus' manipulation of Lucy Gray and his relentless pursuit of personal gains. Although he retains a sense of humor and can be compelling, he does not possess the same iconic survival instinct as Katniss, the protagonist of the original trilogy.In terms of storytelling, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lacks the relentless urgency and adrenaline of the original trilogy. The narrative takes place primarily in the studio with the Capitol's elite students watching the Games, making it difficult for readers to feel the same level of tension and excitement. However, thematically, this choice emphasizes Coriolanus' complicity with the corrupt system and highlights the readers' proximity to the privileged Capitol rather than the impoverished districts.In the end, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers a philosophical inquiry into the origins of the Hunger Games but falls short of the moment-defining achievement of the original trilogy. It adds depth to the overarching story but may not be considered essential reading. Nevertheless, it provokes contemplation about the disturbing idea of sacrificing children's lives as a means to settle differences, challenging readers to consider the underlying reasons for the existence of such a cruel and brutal reality.