What is the theme of The Hunger Games Book 1?

The main theme of The Hunger Games book 1 by Suzanne Collins is the exploration of oppression, survival, and the defiance of unjust authority.

More specifically, some of the key themes include:

1. Totalitarian Control and Oppression: The Capitol exercises total control over the 12 districts of Panem through fear, violence, and the annual Hunger Games ritual where children must fight to the death for entertainment. This depicts an oppressive totalitarian regime.
2. Rebellion and Defying Authority: Katniss' act of defiance in the games by threatening double suicide sparks hope for rebellion in the districts against the Capitol's authoritarian rule.
3. Sacrifice and Survival: Katniss volunteers for the Games to save her sister, demonstrating sacrificial love. She must then fight for survival in the brutal life-or-death competition.
4. Social Inequality and Injustice: The affluent Capitol citizens live in luxury while the poorer district citizens suffer under oppression, highlighting stark social inequality and injustice.
5. Power of Hope and Symbolic: Acts Katniss' compassionate act of love for Rue and her final defiant gesture with the berries become symbolic acts of hope that rally the districts.
6. Humanity vs. Inhumanity: The games strip away human dignity and compassion, but acts of sacrifice and ethics by Katniss reassert core human values.

Through its dystopian setting and Katniss' journey, the book explores themes of freedom, oppression, survival, and the power of individual acts of courage and defiance against authoritarian control.