Book Analysis: The Hunger Games

Categories: Dystopia

In the novel The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins a new country is created. Panem is born in place of North America, were the Hunger Games began. In the Hunger Games, there are 24 tributes. Tributes are people who live in the districts. The tributes in the Hunger Games are all the same. They kill one another and become the Capitols puppets. The tributes become violent, emotionless puppets. Then there is Katniss. Katniss is an excellent hunter and becomes lethal during the games.

However, she has not lost her compassion. Katniss does not think of herself as a good person. When in reality she is a good person with a large heart, who puts others before herself. Katniss does many things others will not do in her situation. Whether it is helping her family or helping others. Katniss’ father died in a mining accident when she was eleven (5). Katniss’s mother did not handle it well. She stopped caring for her family.

Get quality help now
Writer Lyla
Writer Lyla
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: Zombie

star star star star 5 (876)

“ Have been using her for a while and please believe when I tell you, she never fail. Thanks Writer Lyla you are indeed awesome ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

She became a zombie. Katniss had to start caring for her family (26, 27). One day Katniss figured it all out. Katniss thought, “The first dandelion of the year.

A bell went off in my head. I thought of the hours spent in the woods with my father and I knew how we were going to survive” (32). This is when Katniss realizes her family would no longer starve. Katniss knew hunting in district 12 is illegal and the penalty could be death (5). Katniss risks her life. Katniss’s only concern is her family, no matter the danger.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

The reaping is when a male and female tribute is chosen from each district. When the day of the reaping arrives, a surprise tribute is chosen. Which is Prim Katniss little sister (20). Prim’s name has only been entered once (21). Katniss cannot comprehend what has happened. Her chances were very slim. Katniss exclaims, “I volunteer! “ I gasp.” I volunteer as tribute” (22). When Katniss goes on stage, everyone is surprised. No one gives applause. Everyone looks devastated. Effie Trinket says,” I bet my buttons that was your sister. Don’t want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let’s give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!” (23). Effie Trinket thinks it is an honor to be chosen. Effie is happy things are more exciting this year.

Effie does not understand why Katniss truly volunteered. Unlike others, Katniss cares about more than herself. Katniss was the only volunteer in district 12 others were scared. Katniss will do anything for her sister. This act shows what kind of person she truly is. Katniss will do anything for her family. She often is afraid her actions will harm her mother and sister. Katniss tries to protect them from life. When Katniss was able to start putting her name in the reaping, she did it often. Katniss tells the reader, “You can opt to add your name more times in exchange for tesserae. Each tesserae is worth a meager year’s supply of grain and all for one person” (13). To keep her family fed Katniss added her name multiple times. This was the only thing she could do at the time. However, Katniss would not allow Prim to do the same.

Prim has only entered her name once and that was because she had to. Katniss tells the reader, “I protect Prim in every way I can, but I’m powerless against the reaping” (15). Katniss worries about her family multiple times throughout the book. When Katniss is training in the Capitol, she shows off her temper. Katniss is supposed to show her skills to the Gamemakers but they ignore her. They are more interested in their food then her. Katniss then shoots an arrow toward them. The arrow spears the apple, which is in the pig’s mouth. This gets their attention. Katniss runs out and soon regrets her decision. As soon as she realizes what she did, she thinks of her family. Katniss thinks,” What really scares me is what they might do to my mother and Prim, how my family might suffer now because of my impulsiveness” (103). Katniss constantly thinks about her actions. She often wonders how they will affect the ones she loves.

Instead of worrying about herself, Katniss worries about others. This could lead to her death or her victory. During the Hunger games, the tributes are supposed to be killing machines. Katniss meets a girl in the games. Her name is Rue and she reminds Katniss of Prim (201). Rue warns Katniss of a tracker jacket nest in the tree. In return, Katniss forms an alliance with Rue. Katniss says,” You know, they’re not the only ones who can form alliances” (200). Alliances in the Hunger Games can be dangerous. Creating an alliance can be your death. Katniss and Rue know their alliance will not last long. For now they decide to share their supplies and enjoy each other’s company (200,201 203). When the night comes Katniss tells Rue,” You can share my sleeping bag if you want. We’ll both easily fit (205).

Katniss could tell this was more than Rue expected (205). Rue and Katniss made the perfect alliance, but it ended too soon. Katniss and Rue come up with a plan. While Rue was setting a fire, she was caught in a trap. Katniss was yelling for Rue then she heard Rue scream (231). Katniss went running and saw the boy from district 1 throw a spear through Rue’s stomach (232). In return, Katniss kills the boy from district 1. Rues last request is for Katniss to sing. Katniss sings Rue “asleep” (234). Katniss tries to think of a way to respect Rue. Katniss decorates Rues body in flowers (237). Katniss thinks,” I decorate her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing her face. Weaving her with bright colors” (237). Katniss wants to show the Capitol they cannot take away Rues humanity or hers. Katniss does not only care about her family and herself but others. Katniss would die for anyone who truly deserves her trust.

When the games take a turn, Katniss is surprised. Two people can win, but they have to be from the same district. Katniss hears this and her first reaction is screaming Peetas name (244). Katniss knows Peeta is injured because what Cato and the careers said (247). Katniss knows she will become more vulnerable, but she still has to go after him. After she finds him, Katniss has a bigger problem then she thought. Peeta is very ill and hurt (252-240). The only thing Katniss can do is nurse Peeta back to health. One night Katniss thinks,” I spend the night, refreshing the bandage, and trying not to dwell on the fact that by teaming up with him, I’ve made myself far more vulnerable than when I was alone” (263). Peeta is getting worse and needs medicine. Katniss knows it may be impossible. At this stage in the games, medicine and other supplies are very expensive (265,266). When Katniss gets a chance to go to the Cornucopia, Peeta will not let her (274).

Katniss screams,” All right, I am going, and you can’t stop me?” (274). Katniss does not care. She would rather die herself then let Peeta die. While trying to get Peeta medicine she almost dies herself. The female tribute from district two tries to kill her. Katniss makes it back to Peeta and injects him with the medicine before she passes out. After Peeta gets the medicine, they spend some time together. They are relaxing and healing. The two really get to know one another through telling stories. While talking Katniss thinks,” And while I was talking, the idea of actually losing Peeta hit me again and I realized how much I don’t want him to die” (297). Katniss realizes she does not want Peeta to die. Katniss could never imagine him leaving her. Katniss and Peeta decide they have to kill Cato before he can kill them first.

When Cato is finally dead, they wait for the trumpets. The trumpets signal their victory. Nothing happens. It turns out the rule has been revoked (342). Now they have to kill one another. Peeta refuses to kill Katniss and Katniss will not kill Peeta (342-345). Katniss knows she cannot and will not live her live without him (345). Instead, they decide to eat the poison berries. It will kill them both and the Hunger Games will have no winner. The Capitol realizes this and decides there will be two victors. Katniss would rather sacrifice her life to save someone else. Even someone she hardly knows. Katniss is a good person at heart.

Katniss may have hunter’s instinct; kill anything or anyone who tries to harm the people she cares about. Katniss would risk her life for them. Even in the games, Katniss would not kill the one person who stood in her way of winning. Katniss shows what matters compassion and her humanity. Katniss shows she is more than apiece in their games (232). Katniss remembers what Peeta said on the Roof. Peeta said,” I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not” (141). Katniss does not want to lose herself, which she never does. Katniss shows she is a good person by forming alliances and taking care of other tributes. Katniss does not think she is good but she really is even if she cannot see it.

Updated: Oct 10, 2024
Cite this page

Book Analysis: The Hunger Games. (2016, Oct 03). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/book-analysis-the-hunger-games-essay

Book Analysis: The Hunger Games essay
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment