In the last few years, cinemas around the world explode with the release of dystopian young adult adaptations. The next is even bigger and better than the last and film distributors fight over the following adaptation success. Since the release of “The Hunger Games” in 2012, the dystopian trend among young adult adaptations has emerged, with films such as “Divergent” and “The Maze Runner” in 2014. These adaptations have many things in common, but foremost, they all teach their audience a lesson. They set an example, or show teenagers how to handle certain situations. This list discusses the five most important lessons that dystopian young adult adaptations teach teenagers.
5. Stand up for those you love.
One of the most iconic scenes from “The Hunger Games” (2012) – based on Suzanne Collins’ novel – is when Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute in place of her little sister Prim. Or when Katniss tries to save her ally and friend, Rue. Or the scene in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013), in which Katniss stands up for Gale, who is being tortured to death. The message that is to be conveyed from these epic scenes is crystal clear: stand up for those you love. Protect them, no matter what. Keep them from harm.
4. Embrace new possibilities.
In the adaptation of Veronica Roth’s bestseller, “Divergent,” Tris has to learn how to embrace new possibilities. When you translate the story of an ordinary girl living in a dystopian society to its absolute basics, it is about a young girl who moves away from home and everything she has ever known, to a new place with new people. The situation the film portrays is applicable to everyday situations — for example, moving out and going to college. “Divergent” shows that you do not have to be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, but instead to embrace the new possibilities that will present themselves.
3. You will always make friends – even in the unlikeliest of places.
Earlier this year, “The Maze Runner,” an adaptation of James Dashner’s 2009 bestseller, was released. The film teaches its audience many lessons. For example, how to stay calm when one is lost inside a humungous maze, or how to run from deadly spider creatures — but is also teaches a very real and true lesson. Thomas, the main character, wakes up in The Glade with no memory, and in the company of dozens of boys he has never met. “The Maze Runner” teaches its audience, above all, that you will always make friends, even in the unlikeliest of places and with the unlikeliest of people. Even Katniss Everdeen, from “The Hunger Games,” made friends inside a deadly arena, and Tris Prior, from “Divergent,” made friends with people who are very different from her. The result is always the same: a beautiful and heartwarming friendship.
2. Be yourself.
An important lesson that all recent dystopian adaptations advocate is to always be yourself. No matter in what situation you find yourself in, no matter what horrifying things happen to you, no matter if the odds are never in your favor – always be yourself and stay who you are. In “The Maze Runner,” Thomas stays true to himself, even as he is trapped inside a maze with hostile inhabitants. Katniss Everdeen, who went through “The Hunger Games” not once, but twice, does not lose sight of who she is. She remains the powerful and headstrong girl she was before she was reaped. And Tris Prior, learns that she is “Divergent,” but still remains a girl with many character traits and does not apologize for who she is.
1. Never give up.
The most important lessons dystopian adaptations teach their audiences, is to never give up. On anything. “The Hunger Games”’ Katniss Everdeen keeps on fighting, for those she loves and for herself. The odds were almost never in her favor, but she never backs down. Or Thomas, who does not give up on being “The Maze Runner” and keeps on running until he has found a way out. And “Divergent”’s Tris, who never gives up on her family and friends, as she tries to find her way in a broken society. Teenagers should learn to never give up on who they are, what they dream of or who they love, and these films teach them exactly that.
Continue Reading Issue #30
