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What does the arena represent in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins?

The arena could represent quite a few different things depending on who you are.  For somebody from the Capitol or even Districts 1 and 2, the arena is representative of entertainment.  The people from the Capitol love The Hunger Games.  They throw parties before it, during it, and after it.  They get together to watch it in big groups.  I remember when my friends in college did this with the show Survivor.  For Districts 1 and 2, the arena might additionally represent fame and glory.  Those two districts raise and train career tributes, and they win more often than not.  The dynasty they've built is big bragging rights.  


However, for all of the other districts (and most readers), the arena is representative of death, violence, and oppression.  The Hunger Games feature children fighting to the death and encourage creative and brutal killing styles.  The Hunger Games themselves exist to remind the other districts of how they are at the Capitol's mercy.  For most districts, watching their children fight and die is not entertaining; it's a cold reminder of the Capitol's limitless power.  

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