This lesson explores how Suzanne Collins uses first‑person narration to shape reader sympathy, heighten tension and limit our understanding of the wider world. Students analyse how sensory details intensify key moments, evaluate Katniss’s reliability as a narrator, and consider how perspective creates both intimacy and blind spots. Through paired discussion, group tasks and structured analysis, pupils develop a deeper understanding of narrative technique and its impact on reader experience. A worksheet is included to support vocabulary development and close‑reading activities.

• Evaluate how first‑person narration shapes reader sympathy by analysing how Katniss’s thoughts and emotions guide our responses.
• Analyse the effect of sensory details on narrative tension by exploring how vivid description intensifies danger and uncertainty.
• Critically explore the reliability of Katniss as a narrator through examining bias, limited knowledge and emotional influence.
• Explain how perspective creates intimacy and limits our worldview by identifying what the reader gains—and loses—from a tightly focused narrative lens.

This lesson includes peer and group work, key vocabulary, and in‑lesson tasks that build analytical confidence and deepen students’ understanding of narrative perspective in The Hunger Games.

Some visuals in this resource were made with AI to help bring ideas to life and support student understanding.