Lions Gate via Everett Collection
What’s a dystopian novel without a post-apocalyptic world? When America turns into Panem, you might want to pack your bags. In case you needed a refresher, Panem is split up into 12 districts (we don’t talk about district 13) and a glittering and wealthy capital city.
Taking a page from The Colbert Report, this ongoing “Better Know a District” series will take a look at the districts that make up the brutal world of The Hunger Games.
Welcome To District 1: Opulence, They Has It
Industry: The main industry in District 1 is luxury items, because how else would the Capitol keep itself clothed in the latest fashions? Obviously the fashion sense of the Capitol is way left of sanity, but they’d be nothing without District 1. This is the District which supplies perfume, jewels, and lots of colorfully weird wigs. They have a very positive relationship with the Captiol because of their position in proximity and because of the love Capitol citizens have for the luxury items they provide. After all, how would Effie Trinket pull together her glorious fashion-forward ensembles without District 1?
Notable Residents: The tributes from District 1 are also career tribute who tend to stick together to pick off the weaker contestants before turning on each other. In The Hunger Games, Katniss kills the female tribute named Glimmer from District 1 with tracker jacker venom. In fact, Katniss has a bit of a history of killing tributes from District 1, taking out a few District 1 contestants in Catching Fire as well.
Aspirational Names: The residents in District 1 don’t just supply the luxury lifestyle, they try to emulate it as well. Most parents in the district will give their children aspirational names or name their offspring after luxury goods. Just look at the names of the four tributes we know: Glimmer, Gloss, Marvel, and Cashmere. In the books, Katniss thinks this naming tradition is idiotic.
Hunger Games Prospects: Tributes from District 1 tend to do very well in the Hunger Games. This is probably because, like District 2, the children from this area are career tributes. This means they’ve had special training and preparation, and go into the Games already knowledgeable in how to survive in the wilderness and how to use weapons. They’re completely deadly and like tributes from District 2, many of them actually volunteer to bring their district honor in the Games.
Which District is your favorite? Sound off in the comments!
