(HISTORY) A Story of Death and Rebirth.
Years ago, the Earth changed. Once powerful nations fell, buildings turned to rubble, and violent quakes shook the earth, molding the land masses in different shapes. Human life changed drastically. From the ashes of destruction rose the great nation of Panem—the nation that survived. Â
As Panem grew, so did the land that it reigned over. Regions were divided into thirteen different districts based on gross product. The area that encircled the government buildings became known as The Capitol. Panem prospered for years but as the Capitol residents grew wealthier, the district residents grew poorer. Insufficient living conditions inspired ideas of revolt and soon, the Dark Days were born.Â
------ THE FIRST REBELLION
The districts residents were no match for the all-powerful capitol. Their overwhelming numbers could not surpass the technological advancements held by their counterparts. By the end of the war, only twelve districts remained—the thirteenth having been decimated by the Capitol in order to set an example. In their defeat, the Hunger Games were created.Â
Every year, two children—a boy and a girl—from each district would be randomly selected and thrown into an arena to fight to the death. The one who remained after all others perished would be allowed to return home, bringing food, wealth, and glory to his or her respective district. The televised event served as a reminder of who was in charge, a warning to future rebels. It became a source of entertainment to the Capitol residents and a source of great anguish for everyone else. The games served their purpose for seventy four years, until one little girl threatened to destroy everything.Â
------Â THE SECOND REBELLION
They spoke of a new world. They spoke of peace. They told stories of a different future, one without fear. What they failed to remember were the events of the past, the history which they should have learned from. Like the rebellion before them, the district rebels held little strength when pitted against the Capitol. They fought arduously and lasted longer than the Capitol officials expected thanks to one burning, beacon of light—Katniss Everdeen, otherwise known as the Mockingjay.Â
In a fairy tale, the story ends with the heroine conquering evil and bringing harmony to the land. The history of Panem may have played out in a similar manner if it was merely words on golden pages. Unfortunately, Panem was no fairy tale. Once their Mockingjay had been killed, it was just a matter of time before the rebellion disintegrated.Â
At the end of what would later be known as the Time of Destruction, finding an appropriate punishment for district residents became the Capitol’s top priority. The Hunger Games were no longer enough to keep them in their place. After days of debate, the Resident Redistricting Regulations were officially established. They were concise and to the point, simple enough to be understood by the uneducated—but even with such little articulation, the gravity of their meaning resonated within the soul of every citizen outside the grand Capitol walls.Â
According to the rules, unproductive or unlawful individuals could be reassigned to a different district at any time for the ‘good of the community’. Public beatings and other methods of punishments continued to be used, but none could compare to the threat of relocation—especially since the regulation was written to include those associated with the perpetrator as well. One violation from a family member could put his or her entire family on ‘the list’—a compilation of names that were reviewed by the council to determine whether or not relocation was necessary. Frequent law-breakers would be sent to the unfavorable districts. Some of the more rowdy ones would disappear altogether, never to be seen or heard of again. To make it all worse, unmet quotas were often seen as a law violation in most districts, so even the slightest drop in productivity could cause a family’s name to be put on the list.Â
Over time, some grew to see the relocation regulations in a positive light. Parents in poor districts began to bargain with officials, hoping their child could be relocated to a wealthier district. In some cases, such agreements worked out fine. In others, the end result was less than favorable; however, it was a gamble some residents were willing to take.Â
It took years for the great nation to re-establish itself, but eventually, the time came when everything settled once again and after fifty years of peace, the Capitol made a shocking move—they gave the citizens a ‘gift’. Clearing out a small plot of land in the center of Panem, Capitol workers constructed a small town later known as Arbitrum. Its purpose was to serve as a gathering point where citizens from all districts—and even capitol residents—could come and socialize. Complete with a marketplace, empty shops to be rented, and a large square for nation-wide events, Arbitrum became a popular destination for district residents. Of course, the town served to benefit the Capitol as well. Not only did productivity increased as residents worked harder in order to obtain tickets, but it actually became easier to create tension between the districts, preventing further rebellion. Every year during the games, districts are ranked from highest to lowest pride based on attendance and participation in the side events that transpire in Arbitrum. The more residents present to cheer on their tributes, the higher the ranking. The higher the ranking, the better rations that district receives the following year.Â
Much has changed since the Time of Destruction and if the past is any example, it won’t be long before more changes are afoot in Panem.
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.... more information on the Redistricting Regulations, Arbitrum, and The Hunger Games will be posted later this week.Â
