The main conflict in the first book of The Hunger Games series revolves around Katniss Everdeen’s struggle for survival in a dystopian society where the government, known as the Capitol, exerts control over the impoverished districts of Panem. Each year, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games, a brutal event where one boy and one girl from each district are chosen to fight to the death in a televised spectacle.
Katniss faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the story. Externally, she must navigate the treacherous environment of the arena and combat the other tributes, some of whom are ruthless and skilled. Internally, she grapples with her moral beliefs, feelings of loyalty, and the struggle between her desire to survive and her compassion for others, particularly her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark.
This conflict is not just about physical survival; it also embodies themes of oppression, rebellion, and the moral dilemmas faced when fighting against an unjust system. As Katniss becomes a symbol of hope and resistance for the districts, her actions spark a greater conflict against the Capitol, setting the stage for the subsequent books in the series.