Katniss Everdeen
Katniss Everdeen is a mature, independent, strong and resourceful sixteen-year-old. Katniss lives in district 12, the poorest district in Panem, with her mother and younger sister Prim. After her father died in a coalmine explosion, when she was only twelve-years-old, her mother sank into depression leaving Katniss the responsibility to provide for the wellbeing of her family. Katniss spends a lot of her days hunting game with her best friend Gale and trading what they will not eat at the black market. Hunting is illegal, which shows the defiant and rebellious side of Katniss. “Anyway, Gale and I agree if we have to choose between dying of hunger and a bullet to the head, the bullet would be much quicker” (Collins 17). Despite these characteristics Katniss is also caring. She proves this by her determination to protect Prim when she takes her place in the Hunger Games and through her alliance with Rue in the Games. “I protect Prim in every way I can, but I’m powerless against the reaping” (Collins 15). Throughout her weeks in the games, Katniss reveals her integrity by her unwillingness to change even in the spotlight of the Capitol. Katniss does kill others in the arena but her actions are done out of defence not because she has become a monster. “Then I remember Peeta’s words on the roof….And for the first time, I understand what he means. I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can’t own. That Rue was more than just a piece in their Games. And so am I” (Collins 236-237).
I think Katniss is a well-rounded character and I admire her fearlessness and the fact that she is not afraid to stand up for what is right even if it means dying.
I think Katniss is a well-rounded character and I admire her fearlessness and the fact that she is not afraid to stand up for what is right even if it means dying.
Primrose Everdeen
Prim is Katniss’s twelve-year-old sister. Prim is very small, gentle and compassionate. She reveals these traits by being forgiving towards her mother even though she was not supportive after their father’s death. Prim reveals these traits through her love for animals; she has a cat named Buttercup, which she persuaded Katniss to let her keep, and a goat. “I don’t bother suggesting Prim learn to hunt. I tried to teach her a couple of times and it was disastrous. The woods terrified her, and whenever I shot something, she’d get teary and talk about how we might be able to heal it if we got it home soon enough” (Collins 35). Prim is innocent which is one of the reasons why I love her. She is sweet, kind and believes that Katniss can win the Hunger Games even when the odds seem hopeless.
I adore Prim’s character because she represents innocence and love even in the midst of destruction and injustice.
I adore Prim’s character because she represents innocence and love even in the midst of destruction and injustice.
Gale Hawthorne
Gale is Katniss’s good friend and hunting partner. The two have a lot in common such as, their background, family situations, and they both have very strong opinions about the government. Gale is great at hunting and trapping, and he is also very strong and attractive. Gale plays a small part in the book but it is clear that he brings out a better side of Katniss and he is the only person she can truly be herself with. "Gale gave me a sense of security I'd lacked since my father's death. His companionship replaced the long solitary hours in the woods. I became a much better hunter when I didn't have to look over my shoulder constantly, when someone was watching my back….He became my confidant, someone with whom I could share thoughts could never voice inside the fence…. Being out in the woods with Gale…sometimes I was actually happy” (Collins 111-112). Gale has also revealed some feelings for Katniss, which she seems to be oblivious to. “‘We could do it, you know,’ Gale says quietly…. ‘Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it,’ says Gale. I don’t know how to respond. The idea is so preposterous” (Collins 9).
I think Gale is a very important character because he reveals the injustice of the Capitol by stating things as they truly are.
I think Gale is a very important character because he reveals the injustice of the Capitol by stating things as they truly are.
Haymitch Abernathy
Haymitch is the only winning tribute left from District 12, leaving him with the responsibility to coach Katniss and Peeta throughout the Games. Haymitch is almost always drunk; he is also very sarcastic, manipulative and irritating. “Peeta unexpectedly laughs. ‘He was drunk,’ says Peeta. ‘He’s drunk every year….’‘Yes,’ hisses Effie Trinket. ‘How odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these games’” (Collins 46). Aside from these traits Haymich, however, is also a very smart and strategic man. He reveals this through his idea to present Katniss and Peeta as star-cross lovers, which ultimately saves both Peeta and Katniss’s life in the end. When Peeta and Katniss wonder how he won the games they come to the conclusion that he must have outsmarted the others. “There’s only one way Haymitch could have won, and Peeta says it just as I’m reaching this conclusion myself. ‘He outsmarted the others,’ says Peeta” (Collins 306). Despite his criticism, Haymitch becomes a father figure of a sort as he coaches Katniss before and during the games. Although Haymitch and Katniss do not get along very well they are also very much alike. “It’s funny. Haymitch and I don’t get along well in person, but maybe Peeta is right about us being alike because he seems able to communicate with me by the timing of his gifts” (Collins 305).
Haymitch is definitely an important character in the novel. Personally his character irritates me at times but he also has an intelligent and cunning side to that makes me respect his character.
Haymitch is definitely an important character in the novel. Personally his character irritates me at times but he also has an intelligent and cunning side to that makes me respect his character.
Effie Trinket
Effie is a pink-haired, prim and proper escort of the tributes from District 12. “Effie Trinket, the manically upbeat woman who arrives once a year to read the names at the reaping” (Collins 7). Effie’s qualities symbolize the wealth and power of the Capitol. Although she seems to be oblivious at times, viewing the Hunger Games as a competition rather than a murder scene, she is very enthusiastic about the fact that District 12 may in fact have a winner this year. She does all that she can to help Katniss and Peeta make the best impression possible and tries to round up as many sponsors as she can. While Katniss finds Effie irritating at times with her constant optimism, she soon learns to respect her effort.
In my opinion Effie is a very unique character and adds a bit of humor to the story.
In my opinion Effie is a very unique character and adds a bit of humor to the story.
Cinna
Cinna is Katniss’s stylist during her time at the Capitol. Katniss expects Cinna to be shallow and oblivious like the other Capitol citizens she has met. However, she soon finds he is actually very calm and down-to-earth. “I had expected someone flamboyant, someone older trying desperately to look young, someone who viewed me as a piece of meat to be prepared for a platter. Cinna has met none of these expectations” (Collins 64). The 74th Hunger Games is Cinna’s first year as a stylist. Most newcomers are assigned the least desirable district, District 12, but to Katniss’s surprise Cinna chose this district. Cinna is very encouraging and supportive towards Katniss and becomes one of her few allies during her time as a tribute. Cinna is very encouraging and supportive of Katniss and portrays her as “the girl on fire” in attempt to get her sponsors for the game. "Why don't you just be yourself? … No one can help but admire your spirit” (Collins 121).
I think Cinna is an outstanding character; he is very down to earth, he believed in Katniss when no one seemed to and he played a big role in keeping her alive.
I think Cinna is an outstanding character; he is very down to earth, he believed in Katniss when no one seemed to and he played a big role in keeping her alive.
Rue
Rue is a twelve-year-old female tribute from District 11. Living in the district of Agriculture has given her a lot of experience at climbing and flying from one tree to the next. Rue is also very small and reminds Katniss of her sister Prim. “I can almost hear Haymitch groaning as I team up with this wispy child. But I want her. Because she’s a survivor, and I trust her, and why not admit it? She reminds me of Prim” (Collins 201). During the games Katniss and Rue become allies and they learn a lot about each other’s lives. Rue tells Katniss that she is the oldest child of her family and loves music very much. Katniss is very protective of Rue and when she dies Katniss shows the Capitol that Rue is a human being and not just a piece in their game. “I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force on us to do there is a part of every tribute they can’t own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games” (Collins 236-237).
I am in love with Rue’s character because of her bravery at such a young age and because of the reality her death brings to the story. Even though Katniss and Peeta won there were others that died and deserved to live and Rue’s character really reveals this fact.
I am in love with Rue’s character because of her bravery at such a young age and because of the reality her death brings to the story. Even though Katniss and Peeta won there were others that died and deserved to live and Rue’s character really reveals this fact.
Peeta Mellark
Peeta Mellark is the male tribute from District 12. Peeta’s father owns a bakery and his family is a lot more privileged than most in District 12. Peeta and Katniss play the star-crossed lovers act in order to win sponsors throughout the game but it is soon revealed that Peeta has actually been in love with Katniss since he first saw her in grade school. Although Katniss does not share the same feelings as Peeta he has played a big role in keeping Katniss and her family alive. Peeta noticed Katniss almost starved to death outside of his house one day so he took a beating for her after purposely burning some bread so that he could pretend to toss it to the pigs but instead he threw it to Katniss. This gave Katniss and her family hope and she has felt indebted to the “boy with the bread” ever since. Throughout the novel Peeta is revealed as a very thoughtful, kind, artistic character and he also has a good sense of humor. Peeta takes a lot of pride in his dignity which he reveals throughout his willingness stay true to himself throughout the Games. “‘Only…I want to die as myself….I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into something that I’m not’” (Collins 141). Peeta reveals his selflessness particularity through his willingness to sacrifice himself for Katniss with the bread and also during the Games when he saves her life. “Peeta! He saved my life! I think….Is he simply working the Lover Boy angle he initiated at the interview? Or was he actually trying to protect me?” (Collins 196-197).
Overall Peeta is one of my favorite characters in the novel because he is selfless, yet he stays true to himself throughout the Games.
Overall Peeta is one of my favorite characters in the novel because he is selfless, yet he stays true to himself throughout the Games.