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Examples Of Power And Authority In The Hunger Games

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Power and authority is the theme that I have chosen for my making connections essay. My four chosen texts are the book series “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, the film series “Harry Potter” based on the books by J.K Rowling, the film “The Last of the Mohicans” by Michael Mann and the book “Private Peaceful” by Michael Morpurgo.

Authority is the right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. Whereas power is the possession of authority, control or an influence by which a person manipulates the actions of others. An example of a person with such power is President Snow. President Coriolanus Snow possesses total power over the Capitol and Panem. He’s manipulative, merciless and brutal. Poisoning political rivals; making countless …show more content…

Magua is an Indian of the Huron tribe who lost his wife and children to the British and wants revenge. He tries to gain authority by showing that he is a capable fighter and leader to the Hurons but his need for vengeance is what lets him down. Although he has good reason to be vengeful, Magua becomes too obsessed with having the British at his total mercy and his plan for revenge doesn’t quite go his way. At the Huron village, Hawkeye points out that Magua is just acting for himself and not the tribe and I agree. The British surrendered and were on their way back home when a group of Hurons led by Magua ambushed them. The war was over, the French had won. So why did the Hurons attack? Was it because Magua persuaded them? Magua wanted revenge and that’s what he got. Colonel Munro is dead, along with the numerous British citizens killed. His obsession with revenge prevented him from gaining respect and authority from the Huron …show more content…

Hanley has hated Charlie ever since he stuck up for Tommo. He saw it as an act of defiance and it didn’t settle well with him. As a sergeant; Hanley does have authority over the soldiers and he makes sure that they know this. He continuously torments them and threatens them into obeying his every order. So when Charlie disobeys a particularly ridiculous order, he is immediately charged with cowardice and is sentenced to death.

While Magua did not achieve his goal of gaining authority, but instead got the revenge he needed, Hanley had authority and used it as an advantage to get what he desired. Both Magua and Hanley are determined in order to obtain what they want, no matter what it took them. Even if that meant taking the lives of the innocent.

I have come to the conclusion that authority and power are two separate ideas but both relate together as one concept. Power can reinforce authority and authority is one of the primary sources of power. Bearing this in mind, I feel that these four texts use a wide range of different examples to portray this theme of power and authority, which I believe was shown as a clear message to the readers or viewers of any of these four texts. “Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.” - CHARLES DE MONTESQUIEU. “Just because people are in authority, if it doesn't seem right, don't do it. If it violates your own principles, don't do it.” - STEVE

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