The Hunger Games
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Your thoughts on Gale Hawthorne? *Spoiler ALERT!* DO NOT COME IN IF YOU HAVENT READ THE WHOLE SERIES!!!
message 1:
by
Christi
(last edited Mar 31, 2012 11:22PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 31, 2012 11:19PM
Think this through. Who loves Gale right now? Not me. In Mockingjay what was he making? Oh, just the bomb that dropped on Prim. Yes yes all Gale fans are screaming, 'He didn't mean too!'. I glare at you, you obviously are obsessed. Couldn't you just feel Katniss falling for Gale and then it breaking when she thought all this through. What are your thoughts? Do you love him? Hate him? Can't decide because you peeked at this when I put a spoiler alert? Comment! I will answer with the truth, even if its mean. So don't be a sissie answering this. K!
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Gale is a fine character, but honestly, in book 2, he kind of turned into a crybaby. Katniss was going through a lot with Peeta and being victor, and Gale kept making her life more difficult instead of better, so I actually lost a lot of respect for Gale by book 2; it didn't take me until Book 3. However, I had never thought that Gale was making the bombs which ended up killing Prim and the others.
I don't like Gale because it seems like he only went for Katniss after she fell for Peeta... It only seems like an excuse to confuse Katniss' emotions...
I agree with all three of your responses.By book 2 I also was not a very big fan of Gale. When I read about Gale kissing Katniss outside the fence I pretty much hurled the book I was so angry.
By book 3 I pretty much hated Gale, and by the end of book 3 I DID hate Gale.
Although, Liam Hensworth makes me want to look past all Gale's faults :P
Gale sucks i completely hated his character after the third book he was never my favorite in the first place but it went down hill from the start.
He's fine but not great and not for Katniss. I couldn't stand Gale in the third book, he really bugged me. I found myself almost wishing for his death a few times, as mean as that is.
I think that Gale from book 1 and book 3 are two different people. I think the author wrote them differently so everyone would love Katniss and Peeta as a couple, because what author wants unhappy fans?If you think about it, there was no real reason for the sudden personality change in Gale. I think the author made him look bad on purpose so that everyone would be okay with Katniss ending up with Peeta.
Amanda wrote: "Gale is a fine character, but honestly, in book 2, he kind of turned into a crybaby. Katniss was going through a lot with Peeta and being victor, and Gale kept making her life more difficult instea..."My friends were reading all these comments over my shoulder and one commented that Gale did turn into a crybaby, making him totally unattractive. All the rest agreed with her and I just had to let you get some credit for coming up with it. xD
*Secret*Fatty* wrote: "I agree with all three of your responses.
By book 2 I also was not a very big fan of Gale. When I read about Gale kissing Katniss outside the fence I pretty much hurled the book I was so angry.
By..."
I agree with liking Liam Hensworth (wish he wasn't dating Miley Cyrus).
Katelyn wrote: "He's fine but not great and not for Katniss. I couldn't stand Gale in the third book, he really bugged me. I found myself almost wishing for his death a few times, as mean as that is."
I wished for his death for a long time! But I still love him more than I love Peeta, tells you how much I like Peeta!
Whitney wrote: "I think that Gale from book 1 and book 3 are two different people. I think the author wrote them differently so everyone would love Katniss and Peeta as a couple, because what author wants unhappy ..."
One of my friends agrees with you on this because he does change and if it would have progressed further with him, we would have all picked him instead of Peeta.
I really like Gale, but I love Peeta more. In the third book, in my opinion, he goes all psychotic and destructive. But in the first two books, even though we dont see a lot of him, I did like Gale. Peeta was my fave from the start, though.
I think that in the beginning Gale did really love Katniss and would have been a good match for her. Then the Games happened. Towards the end of the series they had simply grown appart. Their lives went in different directions. Durring Mockingjay, Gale gets more and more into the fight, the cause, taking down the Capitol and building a better society. But at the end, Katniss just couldn't follow him. She wanted it to be over. She was done fighting. She wanted a "normal" life. Gale wasn't willing to give up what he was doing to be with her, therefore, he didn't love her as much as Peeta did. Katniss made a good decision. : )
I loved Gale in the first book and they were perfect together and I'm pretty sure they both loved eachother but then in the games Katniss started kissing Peeta and Im thinking "What about Gale?" Peeta's just a wimpy bread boy and in the games all he did was run (so did Katniss but not my point) And then in the third book Peeta went phycho and Katniss still chose him! Gale was my favorite guy in the series even though he wasnt in the series much. Anyway Peeta was mental but Katniss chose him and I think that was a mistake so GALE ALL THE WAY! But sadly you can't change the book so this is somewhat pointless....oh well
Here is my take. Like everybody else in the book, Gale grows and changes throughout the story. In the beginning, he is, I won't say innocent, but a little naive. He knows he dislikes the Capital and the Games, but I don't he really understands. He is limited by his experiences in District 12. To him, the games are something to be feared and perhaps mourn the tributes who go, but they still have an unreal feel to them. Sort of like a natural disaster. But Katniss going made it that much more real. For the first time, we assume, somebody he really cared about was up on those screens, fighting for her life.
Then she comes back, and as would be expected, changed a lot. Haunted by the things she experienced in the arena. He can't understand this and he also feels somewhat betrayed by this "relationship" she has with Peeta. He's glad she made it out, but he's angry with for it. And of course, the "relationship" has to continue on the victory tour, further angering and confusing him.
Things really went wrong for him after the bombing of District 12. Now he has this hatred for the Capital and he is fundamentally changed. He becomes willing to do things he probably wouldn't have before. And the further down this path he goes, the further he gets away from Katniss. He may not have known what they were going to do, he probably didn't see anything wrong with the bombing, seeing as a way to break the capital's back and achieve his victory.
To me, this is what made this story so impressive. These are flawed characters, who go through some truly terrible things and they don't necessarily get to live happily ever after. Even Katniss and Peeta have a lot of things to work through before they get to a decent place.
Christian wrote: "Here is my take. Like everybody else in the book, Gale grows and changes throughout the story. In the beginning, he is, I won't say innocent, but a little naive. He knows he dislikes the Capital an..."Wow this is amazing and I agree, even though Gale comes off as a jerk, he is really kinda just fueled by his anger...
Gale really bugs me; he's arrogant and he's a ladies man. The main character of any book should never stoop so low as to end up with the 'ladie's man.' I mean, he'd probably end up cheating on her and then where would our heroine be? (not that she needs a guy; she does just fine in her own) There's this whole 'oh, he'll change for me. He LOVESSS me!' while, if we're being realistic here, he probably won't change. He'll be just the same as he was before our girl came along (this is what USUALLY happens. I'm not saying that it never happens. Sometimes it really does.) I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be über opinionated or anything. And I mean, this is just me and my silly opinion. =)
Gale is a ridiculous character. He believes he loves Katniss but it seems forced. They were friends that is all. Plus he was a jerk at the end. He was trying to force things with Katniss. I was just like "Leave her the heck alone! She loves Peeta!" He is such a little whiner and he really only cared about himself. There really wasn't much development with him. I hated him from the beginning. Nuff Said
OMGOMG
OMG
I CAN
NOT
BELIEVE
HOW
MEAN
YOU GUYS
ARE
BEING
IM NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY AND ARGUE
IM SO MAD.
Charlie I luv Gale Hawthorne wrote: "OMGOMG
OMG
I CAN
NOT
BELIEVE
HOW
MEAN
YOU GUYS
ARE
BEING
IM NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY AND ARGUE
IM SO MAD."
Its just opinion there is really nothing to get mad about. If you believe differently then give me an example.
really liked him throughout. I don't think it's his fault that the bombs killed prim. he didn't aim them at her....but i think that if he love Katniss, he should have told her before. It said that he liked her about 6 months before the games, so why not tell her??
Marisa wrote: "Charlie I luv Gale Hawthorne wrote: "OMGOMG
OMG
I CAN
NOT
BELIEVE
HOW
MEAN
YOU GUYS
ARE
BEING
IM NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY AND ARGUE
IM SO MAD."
Its just opinion there is really nothing to get..."
It's okay that it's your opinion; I just look down the page, and I see "He's arrogant" "He's a d-bag" "he's ridiculous" and I get a little upset.
Examples: Gale would do anyhing to keep Katniss's family safe. He SAVED 800 PEOPLE IN D12. He kept Katniss sane in Mockingjay.
And what ever you say, he did not kill Prim. Katniss even says it herself.
Charlie I luv Gale Hawthorne wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Charlie I luv Gale Hawthorne wrote: "OMGOMG
OMG
I CAN
NOT
BELIEVE
HOW
MEAN
YOU GUYS
ARE
BEING
IM NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY AND ARGUE
IM SO MAD."
Its just opinion there is really..."
Katniss might have said that Gale didn't kill Prim but she said that the bomb/diversion he created did kill her. So she thinks that Gale and the bomb are one in the same.
Hah okay, so I'm a Peeta fan, but seriously, too many people are taking it so serious, Gale did not mean for Prim to die. It was a total accident, some people just become unlucky in wars, so IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT! And remind you I'm a Peeta fan.
Christian wrote: "Here is my take. Like everybody else in the book, Gale grows and changes throughout the story. In the beginning, he is, I won't say innocent, but a little naive. He knows he dislikes the Capital an..."Nailed it on the head. I don't have to even elaborate.
Nicely done!
Thanks Katie!!Are you going to blame the Neanderthal who invented the spear for Rues death? Same thing to me.
Hah, still agreeing with Charlie, it's like getting stabbed with a pencil, you gonna sue the pencil company? No you sue the one that had the pencil in there hand, which was NOT Gale.
Yes! Thank you!
None of you have to love Gale, but you just have to see the facts for the way they are
I never really liked Gale in the first place. I feel sorry for him after Mockingjay though, because I do believe that Katniss treated him unfairly. Yes, he designed the bomb that ended up killing Prim, but it's kinda like saying the person who made the gun is responsible for the death of someone shot by it by another person. I think that Katniss was just so distraught over the death of her sister. I mean, the entire series wouldn't have happened if Katniss hadn't been willing to die in order for Prim to have a chance at living. The blame fell to Gale, unfortunately, even though you can't directly blame him for it.It's all psych warfare. Coin used Gale's bombs on purpose to get at Katniss, so Katniss would break even more and wouldn't be a threat.
And for Peeta vs. Gale, I say that Gale would've been fine had the games not happened. The only person that Katniss really could've related to afterwards was Peeta, since he went through the same things. Once you're forced to fight for your life and kill people and watch your allies die, that would cause PTSD in anyone. Gale couldn't relate to that like Peeta could.
So, in the end, although I never really liked Gale, I don't hate him. I just pity him.
This discussion should be on the third book not this one.
Even if Katniss said that Gale didn't kill Prim, I believe that he did because he thought up the whole thing. All of it. He wanted to kill people. He didn't mean for Prim to be there but she was, so that kinda makes you think. Oh, sad day, I forgot that people I love might be there, oh well. *shrugs* Another thing, even if your a Peeta fan you've got to admit that Gale was a stupid whiny person who couldn't even tell Katniss before the Games that he loved her. Why would he tell her that he came up with the bomb? Why? He couldn't tell her his feelings, so he's definitely not going to say that he was the reason for the bomb. HE'S A WIMP FOLKS! A BONA FIDE WIMP WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THERE FOR A LOVE TRIANGLE!
Also to answer some things Charlie I luv Gale Hawthorne said. He did NOT keep Katniss sane. I think he made it worse. It was Finnick that kept her sane. And his ropes! xD
I don't hate Gale, I just think he made some bad choices that affected everyone and everything. He saved people yeah, then killed others. Cancel that out and put in he is one of the popular jerks in the book and you get...(dot dot dot) Gale Hawthorne. The most hottest guy in all of District 12! OMG! Like seriously he is just so hot that he has to be Katniss's cousin just so that the capital wouldn't kill them. Ugh...I mean I'm about ready to kill him and I haven't even been reading the books in like forever. So with that, comment your opinions and if you're cool enough (or strongly opinionated like moi) I will answer you! xD
Man this is a lot of typing. I'm supposed to be doing Journalism homework right now but just had to get all that out. Phew.
OMG, like me and Charlie said before, the person who made the gun is not at fault, it's the one who shot it! And Gale did not shoot her or whatever he did to her, personally! So he is not at fault.
He's the mastermind. He plotted it all out. When President Obama proposed the Health Care Plan (speaking hypothetically for the US here) did you blame him? Yes. When it passed did you still blame him or the Senate which PASSED it? I personally blamed Obama. (not meaning to bring a debate about politics...I'm only 14 here.) Saying that I will step off of my soap box and let all of you guys argue who really killed Prim. |.|
Hmm, okay, I get what your saying, but in my opinion Obama is more cruel than Gale, but I see your connection, just what I mean, is that Gale didn't TRY to kill her, even though he knew the outcomes could be grave, but he didn't mean it, but Obama does.
Christi(Gingerpaw of Sunclan) wrote: "Even if Katniss said that Gale didn't kill Prim, I believe that he did because he thought up the whole thing. All of it. He wanted to kill people. He didn't mean for Prim to be there but she was..."Okay. A, Coin put Prim in there, she dropped the bomb. Prim wasn't supposed to leave 13. Have you ever liked someone? Can you imagine trying to tell someone you love your feelings? To call him a whimp for that. Call him a human. He's not just there for a love triangle, he WAS Katniss's best friend. He DID help keep her alive. His snares, his hunting knowledge.
Are you forgetting Gale saved 800 people from the bombings? Not a whimp!
I still think he kept her sane in MJ, but we'll just have to disagree on that.
Was he a popular jerk if he really only loved the quiet girl? If he thought for himself and didn't take anyone else's garbage? Is that being a jerk?
Coin is also at fault for killing Prim. Totally agree with you there. (Stupid Coin...I hated her for like the whole book) And I have liked someone. Told them too. As soon as you get shot down (which I don't think Gale would have...if he'd told her before the Games...just saying) you remember and are okay after a couple of months of like sobbing. Don't see Gale sobbing...it just isn't computable in my mind.800 people...yes he did keep them alive. But like I said above previously he kind of canceled that out with the whole coming up with the plot to kill people. (man I hate masterminds who are really good...maybe that's why I don't like Gale...xD)
I still think he's a jerk...he was popular yet treated girls (MADGE!) like she was dirt. And when he first meets Katniss he's not exactly Mr. Nice-guy. Ugh..I have to get off. (also like I said previously I am supposed to be doing homework...and getting ready for bed...and um..well getting packed for Spring break. Busy me!)
I opened a total can of worms. Oh geez.
Hah, are you talking about Charlie's reaction? Yes it's okay, she's always sticking up for Gale.
Well, as it seems we'll never reach a conclusion. I hate popular jerks more than anything in the world. But I love Gale. The good must outweigh the bad, I guess. Goodnight, I guess.
Night y'all! I will be on later (maybe...tupid stuff I have to do...it makes me not able to argue with all you good folks) So see ya!
Katie (Taylor Lautner&Justin Bieber's #1 fan ;:) ) wrote: "Hah, still agreeing with Charlie, it's like getting stabbed with a pencil, you gonna sue the pencil company? No you sue the one that had the pencil in there hand, which was NOT Gale."LOL. Agreed.
message 41:
by
Amanda (Gale's Chosen One)
(last edited Apr 02, 2012 10:03PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
So i have a lot to say on the topic of Gale.First of all he is my favourite character. I admire and respect him despite his flaws. And i truely understand the way he is and the way he goes about things even if i myself wouldn't. But that's because i'm not as brave as him.
But i do understand why people don't like him and i respect their opinions even if i don't agree.
Okay so- I definitely don't see Gale as jerk at all. He knew what had to be done in order to win this. If the Capitol won they would have suffered for years.
The rebels needed someone like Gale. He's a strong soldier who knows what has to be done. People often mistake these qualities as him being selfish and heartless but that's not the case.
When he does something he isn't thinking of his own gains.
What i also love about Gale is that he saw what others or some others could not. He knew from the start that the Capitol was wrong and that rebellion was necessary from the beginning. He is brave and willing to fight for what he believes and for Katniss' love. He is willing to do anything to protect his family and Katniss. Plus Katniss's family. But at the same time he is thinking of others in the district and somehow manages that along with trying to help Katniss and stand by her.
Need examples? Okay here:
1. When Katniss asks him to run away he says yes. But when he realises that a rebellion is going to start and they'll be leaving behind innocent people he refuses to go. I think Katniss even admired this and it made her realise she was being selfish. That's what i loved about their relationship. It made Katniss open her eyes and he'd call her out on stuff like this.
2. In mockingjay he kicked that officer in the nose to go help Katniss which caused him to lose his badge. Also at the end he knew she was going to sneak out, violate a direct order to go find Snow and he said then that he would go with her, in the process not worrying about the consequences for himself.
3. He volunteers to go on the mission to save Peeta. Correct me if i'm wrong but i think he's one of the first volunteers. I thought that was pretty selfless. And yes, i know that Peeta would do the same.
These are just examples of how Gale still fought and did stuff for Katniss.
Another thing i love about his character Gale is he is an idealist. He is trying to believe the world can change for the better. I think this most likely why he has such a strong commitment to the rebellion. For example when he said that he was willing to sacrifice his life or a few innoncent people if it could kill more enemies. Yes, i see that he's willing to let innoncent people die and that's evil or bad in some peoples eyes but if people like him weren't willing to let that happen then how could they possibly win? It's a war. Innoncent people will die no matter what. In the end it would have been saving more lives.
Again, Gale is willing to fight for what he believes in no matter how strong the opponent. Even if no one around hims is on the same page. He wants it changed for the better.
Also Gale is a deeply flawed character. Which i love. I've always loved flawed characters. But his flaws don't make him evil, selfish or heartless. It's realistic.
People like Gale are the ones who bring freedom to the country, unlike someone like Peeta.
There are similarites that can be seen from his character to real life soldiers.
Yes, Katniss wasn't entirely his first priority but he still tried his best to stand by her. But what he did during the war helped the rebels win, therefore giving freedom and eventually better lives for people who live in his lifetime as well as in the future.
People like him, who can put aside personal matters for the greater cause, are the true heroes.
I've also noticed the difference between Peeta and Gale. Peeta will put nothing or no one before Katniss, not even his own family. Sure it's sweet but i don't admire that at all. In a way it's totally selfish. But Gale manages to see the bigger picture and while yes he does love his family and Katniss and will do anything for them he is always thinking about others and fights for them too.
Also keep in mind as an author stated in "The girl who was on fire"
As an author said if it weren't for Gale there wouldn't have been a meadow for Katniss's and Peeta's children to play in.
This is why I respect, admire and love Gale, he didn’t think of how his actions would cost himself. He just devoted himself to the cause and by doing so he helped to make Panem a better place.
As for the Prim incident i'll give my quick take on it as Charlie and a few others already have. Which i totally agree with.
Yes it MAY have been the bomb that Gale designed. Not dropped, but designed. Plus it wasn't entirely his creation. Betee or whatever his name is also helped design it.
Anyway the point is you don't blame the person who made the bomb. You blame the person who dropped it. Yes, if Gale hadn't made it then it might not have happened but i doubt it. They would have find some other way. I guess you could say in a way he indirectly contributed to the death of Prim. But it wasn't intentional. That is why i refuse to blame Gale, or Betee for that matter.
It's like blaming the person who made that spear that Cato used to kill Rue. Except people don't. They blame Cato. Which is right in doing so, execpt it's no different in the case of Gale and the bomb.
That is why annoys me. Also it annoys me that people say Gale killed Prim. They don't say it was Betee.
I think people love the fact that they can use this an excuse to hate Gale.
I'm just going to have to say this last thing.
This is just my opinion. Sure i'll expect you to disagree but try and respect my opinion as i have respected yours.
This is just how i see it.
THANK YOU!!!!!! That was beautiful!
Yes I agree!!The author wrote Gale differently so everyone would be happy that Katniss picked Peeta instead.
I really didn't like Gale all that much to start with..I don't think he really ever knew Katniss. He was only there for her. It's not the same. She loved what he did for her and her family but did she ever love him? I also didn't like his arrogance. He hated any one rich because they thought they were better than him, but he really thought he was better than them. He was really jelous about that..and about Peeta. I just didn't like him..his character in the movie was gorgeous though, haha:)
I never cared for Gale. I don't know why. I guess I just never connected to him as a character. I'm on the edge about him killing Prim. I mean it was his idea to start the whole war and it was partialy his fault. But what I find people saying "sue the pencil company, blame the person who created the spear." but thats not the point you can't blame an object. Pencils are harmless if used properly so you should blame the person who decided to stab the other person because you blame the pencil company. But with Rue don't blame the person who made the spear you should blame the people who started the Hunger games in the first place. And with Gale, sure Prim dying was on his hand but you should overall blame the people who decided to start the rebel, blame the capitol, it is everyones fault even Gale was the one who actually got Prim killed it doesn't mean it was only his fault. I am not defending Gale I still don't like him as a character at all. But that is probably because The author wrote him different so people would like Peeta. I just think that in the series you can't really blame anyone for anyone dying. Especially in the arena. You can only blame the hunger games itself knowing that everything is because of the hunger games. Who agrees?
I love Gale, but don't think he was good for Katniss. I never hated him, but I imagine him with someone who needs him, and Katniss needs Peeta, not Gale.
Gale was too soft. He didn't take advantage of the opportunities wiht Katniss. So, he doesn't deserve her. Peeta loves/ed her but she doesn't love him. So neither are right for her. Gale IMO is the better man for her.
I absolutely adore Gale, but don't mistake me for one of those fan-obsessed women. I see he has his faults and can be mean, but he's focused and tough. He can push himself through where I feel Peeta was always the damsel in distress. Gale was one of the more realistic characters to me. He realized what war was and knew the risks. Now, of course he didn't want to kill Prim. He couldn't forsee that happening and saying he killed her because it was his bomb that fell is like saying the CEO of a large company killed the man who jumped off one of his skyscrapers. It's flawed logic. Had Gale shot Prim through the head, then yes, he killed her. His invention? Not so much. Did everyone forget Beetee helped Gale make that weapon? Why are there no Beetee haters because "Beetee killed Prim"? -eyeroll-
Gale could be mean, but like I mentioned before, he was focused. Katniss didn't want anything to do with the war, where as Gale lived to fight for the freedom of Panem.
So, in short, I loved Gale. He was my favorite character because he was the most real.
However, I will add I'm happy Katniss didn't end up with him. He deserves better in my opinion than someone who was forced and pushed through everything.
Ellie wrote: "I absolutely adore Gale, but don't mistake me for one of those fan-obsessed women. I see he has his faults and can be mean, but he's focused and tough. He can push himself through where I feel Peet..."Great points! Thanks for your support!
I think we should just clarify that Katniss never blamed Gale just as Gale never denied the fact that it could have been "his" bomb. The crucial fact in that whole interchange is that Katniss will forever link Gale to that tragedy, even though she wishes she could somehow separate the two.I personally still don't like Gale, even though I never blamed him for Prim's death (although, like he said, he was always about the bigger picture- not necessarily Katniss' interest- and the bigger picture did include him protecting her family, which unfortunately didn't happen).
In a way, I'm surprised how much Peeta and Gale are alike; both are fiercely strong characters in that they are steadfast in what they believe in. For Gale, it's the "greater good". For Peeta, it's just love. I suppose that based on personal preference, people will lean one way or the other. For me, I've always always been awed by Peeta whereas Gale- even though what he stood for is technically good- went about it in a way that I found unattractive and slightly amoral.
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