The Hunger Games and History: The Real Past behind the Modern Fiction

Suzanne Collins’s brilliant Hunger Games Trilogy is woven with references to real historical people, events, and themes. While some of these are expressed clearly, others are more subtle, and all of them work together to tell the story of Panem. Join author and Hunger Games scholar Elizabeth Baird Hardy (perhaps some relation to Lucy Gray Baird?) for a fascinating look at the real history Suzanne Collins has used to build her fictional world.
A good working knowledge of the Hunger Games trilogy (the books, not the films) is necessary. Knowledge of the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is helpful but not necessary. 
We’ll look at a selection of historical topics from the ancient past to twentieth-century American history. Specific events and people will be covered, but learners are encouraged to bring their questions to ask and insights to share. 
From this class, learners will gain a greater knowledge of these remarkable books that will allow them to be more engaged readers. They will not only be more adept readers of this series, but of other texts as well, as the class will hone their skills at finding and exploring historical allusions in fiction. They will also gain insights into a wide variety of topics from World and American History.
Ms. Hardy is an engaging, enthusiastic teacher who will encourage and enlighten, and she looks forward to meeting new learners! She promises not to unleash tracker jackers, mutation dogs, or pop quizzes in this fun and insightful class!