“Sunrise on the Reaping” is the newest addition to the “Hunger Games” series, offering insight into the untold stories of resistance long before the rebellion familiar from the original trilogy. As we know, author Suzanne Collins writes nothing unintentionally, as her novels always offer commentary on real-world issues. This prequel is no different. We live in a world where marginalized histories are continuously being erased or ignored, and this book serves as a reminder to recognize which stories are told and which are purposefully forgotten.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” follows the story of Haymitch, eventual mentor to Katniss and Peeta, and his experience during his own Hunger Games – the Second Quarter Quell. This prequel uncovers the previously hidden history of resistance that, as the book suggests, was deliberately suppressed. This adds a unique layer of depth to the original story, and also brings attention to how narratives are controlled in the real world.
In “The Hunger Games” universe, the Capitol has control over its society’s history. They write the script of who the “winners” are and how events unfold by feeding messages or splicing clips to illustrate a specific image. We see that in our society, when transgender people’s existence is wiped from the White House website, and Black Lives Matter murals are being painted away. As this prequel explains, this is not accidental. They are deliberate attempts to rewrite history and force people’s stories to become forgotten. This novel is a reminder for us to always question what voices are heard and who is erased in the history we are taught.
Erasing history is an extremely dangerous control tactic. It strips individuals of their truth and dignity, and manipulates stories so people forget the lessons needed for progress. When even just one group of people is silenced, it negatively impacts society as a whole. We lose out on perspectives that have previously challenged authority and injustice and sometimes inspire real change. We must understand that history is written by the winners, and the winners are not always the good guys. We must preserve these hidden histories to build not only an inclusive future, but a better one.
“The Hunger Games” and especially this prequel are an opportunity for us to have a real discussion about the way our narratives are controlled. We must be aware of who is feeding us the “truth” of the world. It’s up to us to ensure that our histories are not erased.
