THE DECONSTRUCTED HERO A Studyof Heroism in Suzanne Collins´ NovelTrilogyThe Hunger Games

Abstract

The thesis aims to study how contemporary literature challenges the traditional role of the hero, by exploring the character functions of Peeta, Katniss and Galein The Hunger Games trilogy. Their functionspresent a variety of perspectives on heroism, both in terms of traditional ideas of heroismand female heroes, but also suggestthat main characters can function heroically, and change between different functions, in turn affecting the reader’s mind-set regarding the protagonist. By applying the theoretical model duomyth onto the characters Gale, Katniss and Peeta from Suzanne Collins´ trilogy The Hunger Games, one can both include two vital characters into the analysis of Katniss, as well as analyse the female hero in a way which does not limit her as a result of narrow models. Using this method, several aspects of heroes and roles for characters from numerous theoretical models can be incorporated into the analysis.Feminine and masculine traits of the characters do not interfere with their interaction, and neither do the restrictions of conventional “roles” within fiction. By developing the duomyth further, to a triomyth, the ambiguity of characters´individual function disappear, as they appear as a whole unit, a collective hero.