I just finished reading the first Hunger Games book, which simultaneously captivated and horrified me. This post is not a review of the content of the book, but an attempt to capture some literary points that (I think) contribute to the book’s success. For more evaluative reviews, see my brief Goodreads review, or reviews by Tim Challies or Mark Meynell.
1. Pay attention to verb tenses
Something nagged at me through the first part of the book. The story felt alive to me, almost too alive. It took a while to notice the cause, but eventually I realized the verbs were in the present tense. Sorry, I did that paragraph all wrong; let me try it again.
Something nags at me through the first part of the book. The story feels alive to me, almost too alive. It takes a while to notice the cause, but eventually I realize it’s the verbs are in the present tense.
Collins isn’t the first novelist to use this convention, but I think it’s uncommon. I can’t remember the last time I read a novel that employed it.
What does this fact have to do with Bible study? Pay attention to tenses! Authors communicate tone and mood through it. Each biblical author communicates different style and purpose through his text. One particularly vivid example is the Gospel of Mark.
For example, check out the New American Standard Bible, which conveniently lets us know when the original language behind a narrative uses present tense (instead of the more common past tense) by marking it with an *.
“Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness” (Mark 1:12, NASB).
“They *went into Capernaum…” (Mark 1:21, NASB).
“Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her” (Mark 1:30, NASB).
Swap each of those *verbs with a present tense (the Spirit impels…hey go…they speak…), and you’ll get the picture Mark intends. You’ll picture yourself right there with Jesus and his disciples, and the story will come alive.
2. Put Yourself in the Story
Part of what I enjoyed about The Hunger Games was that stuff happens. We didn’t need chapter after chapter of set up. We didn’t get a lot of back story, except through the course of the action. Collins’s greatest strength is her plot, which she uses well to both build characters and configure setting. But the plot is always central.
So also, in the Bible, there are times when plot is central. Again, the key example that comes to mind is the Gospel of Mark. For example, notice how often Mark uses the word “immediately.” Compared to the other three Gospels, Mark has the fewest recorded speeches of Jesus. Mark cares about action, and he wants that action to impact us as though we were there. Jesus is a doer, the King of the Universe, and he’s doing everything in his power to fix what is broken, especially in our own lives.
In short, as I read The Hunger Games and considered why it was so popular, I was inspired to go back and re-read Mark, which I did at my first opportunity. As you engage in the folklore of our culture, allow it to sharpen your skill at reading God’s Knowable Word.
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Thanks for your post, Peter. I noticed the present tense pretty early on when reading this series, and while I understand why authors use this technique, I never really got used to it. I guess I've been conditioned to expect past tense in things I read.
Are you able to include a direct link to your Goodreads review? I've never used that site, and I'm not sure how else to find what you wrote.
I tried to link directly to my review, but I think Goodreads only allows direct links to the general book page. I think you'd have to join Goodreads and become my friend to see my review. Go ahead, it's a great site!
I just fixed the link in the post so you can view the Goodreads review without needing to register there.
Using pop culture in bible study is amazing. Culture and Christ are not things we need to have separate, but lets use culture to show Christ. Our culture needs it Him, and He can redeem it! Please have more posts like this, gentlemen!