
Call me crazy, but I'm not going to dance to "The Hanging Tree" song.
James Newton Howard's "Rebel Remix" of Jennifer Lawrence's rendition of "The Hanging Tree" (written by Suzanne Collins and published in Mockingjay in 2010) seems inappropriate. Every time I hear it on the radio, I have to turn it. Don't get me wrong, I thought the original version played in the movie was powerful and perfect. It was one of the most moving scenes in "Mockingjay Part I."
The "Rebel Remix"? Not so much.
Adding the dance track to the background and speeding up the melody negates the haunting beauty of the ballad. It forgets that the point of the song is to convey a feeling of misery, that death would be the favorable choice.
It forgets the tears running down Pollux's face. And it forgets those spilling from Gale's eyes, remembering his whipping and Katniss's bittersweet kiss.
It forgets the stirring images of her father teaching her the song and it forgets Peeta's memory surfacing of her father singing it in the bakery. Finally, it forgets Peeta begging to be killed after Boggs's own life is taken by the Capitol's bombs. And this is just from the novel. Let's not forget the poignant moments from the movie when the other districts summon their courage to fight the Capitol–many sacrificing themselves for the rebellion.
So why was it necessary to remix the original version? For radio play? To make more money? Isn't that exactly what the Capitol would do?
Yes. It is. Which is why the filming of the song by Castor is so unnerving to Katniss. This should be taken as a warning sign that perhaps the rebels are not so different from the Capitol leaders, after all. Though Plutarch did not air the footage of Katniss singing in the novel, the fact that they filmed it and planned to use it was enough of an indication of their true intent to rule Panem much like President Snow. This is one of the many clues that foreshadow the climax of the novel.
Of course, this also lends itself to a perfect teaching/learning moment for our students.
Perhaps our own culture lends itself to creating commercially-popular songs with disturbing messages, disguising social and political dissent with a seemingly innocent harmony.

• Play the two versions of the songs for your students (embedded below).
• Discuss the differences between them. Ask your students why they think the remix was made. (Panem is fiction, of course, so it is highly likely the reason was for commercial popularity rather than social justice.)
• Have your students research songs of rebellion and songs of the (and to inspire) the hopeless from history. Instead of focusing on the words of the songs, though, focus on the melodies. Are they upbeat? Catchy? Sweet-sounding? Are they the types of songs that children may sing without realizing the meaning of the words?
• What was the purpose of the songs? How do the purpose(s) of the songs from history compare to the purpose of "The Hanging Tree" in the novel Mockingjay?
Teachers interested in using this idea and many more in class can download my Mockingjay teaching unit. All ideas, activities, and lessons are original creations.
The Songs
The original version from the movie "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One"
(©Lionsgate Entertainment Inc.):
Here's the remix edition
(©Lionsgate Entertainment Inc. and Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.):
I really love your write-ups guys continue the good work.
ReplyDeleteAll Gambling Online
The gorgeous post learned a great deal Thanks greatly!
ReplyDeleteRuff Hero
You have performed a great job on this article. It’s very precise and highly qualitative. your article on casino based is very useful. It will help to gain money through online as well as knowledge. Casino supplies a wide variety of top online casino games to its customers. 188loto
ReplyDeleteThe more assortment of moves the up-and-comer knows, the better, as the individual in question would then be able to get imaginative and incorporate distinctive move styles in a solitary number for an exceptional presentation. Thulasikadir Nuilliyeduthu
ReplyDeleteIf you are keen to know how to dance, learning the basics of dancing will aid you to explore various dance forms. While you ponder to know how to dance, it is also essential to habituate yourself to regular practicing. There are many aspects to work on as while you want to know how to dance. Working on these aspects will aid you to improve your dancing skills. Also, while trying to acquire dancing skills, practicing Pole Dancing for Fitness & Exercise
ReplyDeleteIn the event that cost is an issue there can be free rippers yet these can be very ungainly endeavors and may contain or spyware, you need to download one from an OK site. never grow up
ReplyDeleteWonderful, just what a blog it is! This blog has provided the helpful data to us continue the good work , hire a writer online for an essay An unbelievable blog. This blog will indisputably be definitely recommended to my friends as well.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am very much pleased with the contents you have mentioned. I wanted to thank you for this great article. dance studios waterloo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this great blog.Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read. beginner dance classes for kids
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting read. Thank you for sharing this amazing piece, enjoyed every bit of it. Do come up with more of such ideas.
ReplyDeleteAlso check out Garner Supply for duarble medical products and healthcare items.
Each time I used to always check blog posts within the first hours in the break of day, because I like to get information increasingly more.
ReplyDeletecasino utan spellicens
This blog is really great. The information here will surely be of some help to me. Thanks!. beats for sale
ReplyDeletepurchase youtube views If you're not already familiar with the power of YouTube, you've probably been stuck in your nest chirping away with all the other little song birds, and not paying attention to what other marketing tools are flying around on the Internet. YouTube is perhaps one of the most powerful marketing platforms currently available on the World Wide Web.
ReplyDeleteThank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. strippers in Fresno
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work rent Fresno strippers
ReplyDeleteThank you for shearing post amazing this is post very useful for me.
ReplyDeleteNew Media
New Media
New Media
New Media
New Media
Latest News
Latest News
Latest News
This dance structure is performed on fanciful characters of the sagas like Ramayana, Mahabharata and other antiquated sacred texts. https://www.spotifyfame.com/
ReplyDeletewatch movies online for free in momix app
ReplyDeletei haven't listened this song yet, even I like to listen song very mush due to my workload I am unable to do other activities. take my online exam for me
ReplyDeleteThis is very super movie, and enjoyed the songs. I have got the news regarding the movie streaming through Netflix is from streamtvbetter.com. And get all the TV, movie, shows scheduling from this web magazine.
ReplyDelete