The Hunger Games
discussion
Your thoughts on Gale Hawthorne? *Spoiler ALERT!* DO NOT COME IN IF YOU HAVENT READ THE WHOLE SERIES!!!
Ella wrote: "Gale did what any good friend would do. He took care of her mother and sister while she was away, and despite the fact that she completely betrays him for Peeta, he stuck with her. She legitimately..."Exactly!
Well you know what. TEAM PEETA!!! HAHAHAHAHHAAH!!
Ella wrote: "Gale did what any good friend would do. He took care of her mother and sister while she was away, and despite the fact that she completely betrays him for Peeta, he stuck with her. She legitimately..."PERFECT
The reason I really love Gale is because he has flaws. People like him exist. They're not bad people, they just make mistakes. I like Peeta, but he's so perfect, I never felt like I could "connect" with his character. It might be every girl's dream to have a boyfriend like Peeta, but it won't come true (sorry! :/) I think Gale might have been in love with her the whole time, but he only really realized how much when she was sent off to the Hunger Games and had a fake relationship with Peeta. Katniss herself said she would have acted the same if it had been the other way around.
In my opinion, the author potrays Gale as "bad", because she makes all the mistakes he made huge big and the good things he did, like teaching her all those things, going to get her belongings in 13 before they're bombed, saving so many people from District 12, ect. rather small. Everything Peeta says though, seems amazing, so when he volenteers to go into the Hunger Games a second time, it seems like the bravest thing anyone's ever done.
I don't think that it's right people are blaming him for what happened with Prim, but I do understand Katniss' reaction. I don't believe anyone can act rationally after their sister is killed.
Gale just seems more realistic and Peeta is just too much of a character.
And personally, I think that although Katniss chose Peeta, she never quite got over losing Gale (as a friend, I mean), but that's just my interpertation.
Okay I'm not going to say anything about Gale because it might offend some people. So I'm just going to say that I don't like him. But there is a lot more I WOULD say but I don't want people to be offended. Let's just say that Gale is my LEAST favorite character.
i still think that Katnis should end up with Gale...even from the 1st book i considered him to be the most suitable for her...after-all her love for Peeta was not real(at least in the beginning). I m a bit confused though because in "the hunger games" i thought she was truly in love with him as she was constantly thinking of him. I don't know but after finishing "the mokingjay" i felt simply disappointed
i wholeheartedly agree with you!!! why are they being soooo unfair with poor Gale?! after-all katnis was the one that made him suffer because she fell in love with Peeta too!!!!♥GaleForever♥
I see your point Ella about Gale's possible ignorance when building the bomb. And I don't "technically" blame him for Prim's death.The thing is, Katniss knew that something like that bomb was going too far in terms of human ethics. She makes a comment about it when she discovers Gale and Beetee engrossed in its construction.
Gale's not stupid; he could easily discern who was good and who was evil. Gale's flaw was that he was so, so obsessed with vengeance against the Capitol and the dismantling of the whole tyrannical system that he became blind to his ethical beliefs. For him, it didn't matter what it took so long as it was accomplished.
And to me, that doesn't make him much better than the Capitol because they had the same disregard for human life and nothing can be solved amidst such negativity and destruction.
Well i kinda liked him at first but after mockingjay i just didn't like how he changed at all .
I am totally team Peeta and I have been since the very start! Gale doesn't really love Katnis, they were just friends but then he saw that someone else was getting up on her and he decided he was jealous because the thought never occurred to to him(gale) to love her when he had her.
Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ 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..."
I see what you are saying about Gale keeping Katniss' family alive and that is so sweet of him. I like him as a person, but he did do a few things that didn't make it seem like he loved her. I really feel that he wanted to break Peeta and Katnis up because he was jealous that he (Gale) hadn't seen her in that light before.
He was very brave to get the people out of District 12 and I do not think that anyone can argue with that, and it was very sweet of him to say that he would take care of her family and not let them starve, again, not many people can argue with that. But from the start of the books it is clear that Gale and Katnis are not made for each other and that they are just friends.
I liked him at first, but I couldn't forgive him for being probably responsible for the bombs that kill Prim.
gale will always be the hunter but he still loves Katniss and tries to protect her and isn't that what we want? For Katniss to live.
I think everyone should remember that it was Suzanne Collins chose to make Gale disappear.
Allie wrote: "I think everyone should remember that it was Suzanne Collins chose to make Gale disappear."I remember!!! Suzanne Collins is evil. She killed all my fave charries and then ended the series!! That made me mad....>.>
Gale wrote: "The reason I really love Gale is because he has flaws. People like him exist. They're not bad people, they just make mistakes. I like Peeta, but he's so perfect, I never felt like I could "connect"..."I love how your username is just 'Gale' that's awesome
I despise GALE with a vengence!He should have died instead of Finnick!!!
I liked Gale, he took care of Katniss' mother and Prim BUT He kind of pissed me off in Catching Fire and Mockingjay. He was like a jealous ex boyfriend or something.. ( I know its natural he's in love) He got jealous when Katniss was talking to Finnick -.-And yeah, I also can't get over the fact that his bomb killed Prim. I also know that he didn't mean for it to be used like that and Coin ordered the whole thing but still. It was his bomb, he created it, to kill... maybe not to kill kids/Prim but it did.
I love Gale to death you know like he's a great friend who would do anything to help Katniss out but in this instance I really think that the whole "opposites attract" thing comes into play. I think that Gale and Katniss are too much alike and that is why they are best friends. But Peeta is better boyfriend material.
Charlie~Gale Forever~, I agree completely with your post (the one about Gale loving Katniss, then seeing the Capitol ruin her, and fighting for her). That was beautiful, amazing, and, in my opinion, completely true :)
*TEAM GALE FOREVER!*
*TEAM GALE FOREVER!*
Gale has done ALOT for Katniss so all you haters who are hating Gale should think twice about your opinions on him.I'm just saying that Gale wasn't the enemy we found that out in book 3 it was Coin. Not Gale,not Beetee, and not Plutarch.COIN!So don't blame Gale, because he has tried his best to only do positive things for Katniss. Gale is a good guy who has his issues on things. He just has to get over them. He did not kill Prim. That is an issue that DID NOT happen. Gale would never kill Prim because everybody knows that Katniss would not accept that. And plus Prim has done nothing to Gale why would he kill her. If Gale would kill anyone it would probably be Peeta.So don't go around thinking Gale is a horrible person who we should all hate. Gale is Gale. A HUMAN-BEING,That makes Mistakes. Gale rocks in his own way. Back off haters.
Arabella wrote: "Charlie~Gale Forever~, I agree completely with your post (the one about Gale loving Katniss, then seeing the Capitol ruin her, and fighting for her). That was beautiful, amazing, and, in my opinion..."THANKS! At least someone agrees with me! Thnx tho
Tina J wrote: "I despise GALE with a vengence!He should have died instead of Finnick!!!"
Do you want the speech or no?
Uh oh, Tina your asking for it, goodness Charlotte, I've heard this so many times...
Finnick was a good guy but why does Gale have to take his place? if anyone should had died before Finnick did it should have been Snow. Finnick's death was a tragic and i couldn't believe it myself. But i am glad that Snow died alone and hated he deserved it.
I agree, Gale, realy wasn't even a part of THG until the end when all war broke loose.
Katie (Taylor Lautner&Justin Bieber's #1 fan ;:) ) wrote: "Uh oh, Tina your asking for it, goodness Charlotte, I've heard this so many times..."I know I'm getting tired of it. I have it saved on my computer to get copy it in any time someone needs sense talked into them
Haha Charlotte that's really funny, words of advice to anyone who doesn't know her; Do not take Gale's name in vain, Do not disagree with him, Gale is always right, Gale is the one for Katniss, Gale is the one!
It seema like no one really likes Gale, but personally, I don't think he was being selfish or anything. Do you really think he purposely killed Prim? If so, then you obviously haven't read the books. And maybe Katniss being all gaga over Peeta confused him more than you think. He didn't purposely try to hurt her. He wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn't with him, but he let her go, which is why I have a great respect for him.
I liked Gale for the 1st 5 minutes of the 1st book. But then didn't like him for some reason
At the beginning I was all for her and Gale getting together. I thought that Peeta was ok and strong willed but he didn't have the strength that Gale had.Then as the story progressed, I got on the Peeta team! I could see how they were right for each other. I didn't out right dislike Gale but I wasn't for him and then I found out that he may of had a part in the bomb that killed her and that pushed me over the edge and made me not like him.
I hated him for leaving Katniss, but I never really liked him anyway... He was just never my favorite and didn't seem like a very major, strong, really likable character, like i felt Peeta was, in my opinion anyway.
PMSL - No need for any kind of speech, thank you Charlie!People have their own opinions, which you should respect.
Honestly, I think people who prefer Gale have a few screws loose (if you know what I mean)
But that's okay!
I don't hassle them on why they 'shouldn't' like him!
Actually.....you know what, I want to hear your 'speech'. At least that way, I can debunk any reasons you have for liking him!
lol
Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had very strong feelings for her, and she was oblivious. Even if it wasn't 'romantic' love at times, it WAS love, and read my explanation for why that matters. Possibly, it was move of a family love (In the 1st book, Prim's goat, he wanted to see Prim's reaction just as much as Katniss- Prim was like a sister to him too, they were like family, they kept no secrets, the shared everything. What is love then? I don't think that love is ONLY Peeta's sweet, overly kind, slightly stalkery, completely devoted, love. That's not the only kind of love in the world.)
On him being a psychopath: He saw the girl he loved go through the games. Twice. He saw her break and go crazy, because of the Capitol. He felt he needed to do something to avenge what they had done to her. Maybe he did kill people, but do you really think Snow and the peacekeepers could be replaced without war? (open your eyes people.) what did you want Gale to do? Sit around and say "oh Katniss I'm sorry the Captiol just messed up your life forever. I'm just gonna sit here and do nothing" NO! Gale got up and did something about it. He saw the girl he loved get taken away from him, and he loved her enough to fight for her, even if she didn't want to!
On him leaving: This just shows me that Gale didn't come back because he knew it would hurt her. He loved her enough to care about her feelings. He knew it would just make things worse, so he did a very strong thing in leaving. It wasn't heartless, it wasn't selfish, it wasn't wimpy, and it doesn't make him a jerk. That's one of the more caring things he's ever done.
On Prim: Okay. A, Coin put Prim in there, she dropped the bomb. Prim wasn't supposed to leave 13. Coin stole the Capitol hovercraft, COIN PRESSED THE BUTTON. You've heard all the comparisons, but here I go again: Someone invents a machine gun. Something that couldn't be used for anything besides killing people. Someone shoots someone with that gun. Who's fault is it? Also, Beetee was a big part in making the bomb, no one hates him! It was 95% Coin's fault, 4% Beetee's fault (he had a bigger part in making the bomb then Gale) and about 1% UNINTENTIONALLY Gale. Why he made the bomb at all: Do you really honestly think that the rebel army is going to defeat a huge army of peacekeepers who aren't afraid to kill, if the rebels don't kill? Because that is completely untrue. Someone would have to be brave enough to be the one to kill people (TODAY: soldiers that come back from Iraq, they killed people, to keep America free. We give them support, not hatred ((or at least we should))) Gale thought his bomb would destroy the Capitol. And if it had, we all be loving him, but since Coin didn't use it like that, now everyone hates him.
On him not telling Katniss his feelings: Have you ever liked someone? Can you imagine trying to tell someone you love your feelings? It's hard. It's human.
On the importance of his character: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. When she met him, it really helped keep her family alive. When she was at the games TWICE, mind you, who was taking care of Prim and her mother? Gale.
On him being heartless: Are you forgetting Gale saved 800 people from the bombings? (See psychopath topic)
On him being a jerk: 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? Also, I have a VERY strong jerk meter when reading, and anyone who comes off the least bit like that, I can't stand them. I didn't feel that at all way!
Gale is flawed. Gale fights for what he believes in. Gale didn't only care about Katniss, but he cared about her. Gale wanted to destroy the Capitol. Gale did some things that people aren't happy with. Gale didn't kill Prim. Gale loved Katniss. Gale is strong, and not a crybaby. Gale isn't perfect. Who is? Gale is human. Gale isn't evil. He isn't like the Capitol. Gale is a great character.
Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had very strong feelings for her,..."
.... Wow. How does one even follow up with a post like that? I think it will always come down to matter of opinion. Despite the points you made (which are, mostly, logical) I still just liked Peeta more. Gale was an interesting character with many layers to explore but there were many parts of his personality that I couldn't reconcile with.
However, I admire your passion. If I wasn't working, I would spend equally amount of time bestowing all sorts of virtual praise on my favorite character, Peeta.
Jessica wrote: "Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had..."
Thanks! I don't want people to like Gale more than Peeta, that's fine. Peeta's cool. Gale just gets a lot of hate, and I think it's unfair, so yeah I'm dedicating myself to educating people on another view of Gale
In all fairness, I have the speech saved on my computer and I use it a lot, even if it's just part of it.
Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had very strong feelings for her,..."
I love this!!
I agree with you completely.
Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had very strong feelings for her,..."
Okay, here goes:
Do you realise there's more than 1 type of 'love'?
You can love someone WITHOUT being 'IN LOVE' with them!
Gale did/loves Katniss - I do whole heartedly believe that.
But he could NEVER love her the way Peeta does.
Yes he looked after Prim and her mother - but that's to be EXPECTED if he really did see them as 'family'!
And you seem to forget that Peeta saved Katniss' life 'just as much' as Gale!
Funnily enough, I've never blamed Gale for Prim's death. That really was an unfortunate accident.
Gale was an idiot for not telling Katniss how he felt - well Peeta had the balls to do it on LIVE TV!!!
Katniss walks about with a chip on her shoulder, as does Gale. (Which can be tiresome to read sometimes) which is why I sometimes think they're a match made in heaven!
But Peeta is everything Katniss (and Gale) are not!
Which makes them more whole!
Katniss doesn't truly deserve Peeta - but he is good for her!
And I'm sorry, but if Gale did love Katniss, he WOULD have fought for her, instead of leaving!
Well, I know I would have fought for someone I loved, instead of just 'giving up'. Couldn't have loved her that much then, eh?
Gale IS selfish....he ONLY finally told Katniss how he felt because Peeta was in the picture. Jealous much! He came across as if he OWNED Katniss or something.
Gale should have died instead of Finnick!!!
That would have been a PERFECT ending!
Honestly, I was expecting your reasons for liking Gale to be much better than that!
It hasn't changed my mind about Gale.....and has IN FACT - made me love Peeta that bit more!!!
Would you like to add anything else to your 'speech' Charlie?
PMSL
I had always loved Gale throughout the whole series. he was a very strong character and he loved Katniss a great deal. On Mockingjay, I don't think that it was his fault that Prim died. And anyone blaming him is unjust, in my opinion. Prim was killed by the bomb, not by Gale. It's like saying that the fault of shootings lie with the person who made guns. It's not.
Besides, it was a war and he made his own choices. he believed that what he was doing was towards 'the greater good'.
Peeta was lovable and cute. But I didn't really like him that much. He was good with words and everything but it felt like he was always the one that needed saving.
It would have been nice if Katniss and Gale ended up together but it was not to be. I guess they were too similar in ways and Katniss needed someone to balance out the relationship. I just hope that Gale is happy and that she found and loved someone in a way that he thought was only possible for Katniss, maybe even greater than that.
So yeah. I love Gale.
Tina J wrote: "Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had..."
Well said Tina J!
Tina J wrote: "Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had..."
1. I think Gale didn't really realize that he was in love with Katniss until Peeta was there, that's true. But he wasn't in love with her BECAUSE he was jealous. He realized because he was jealous. And Gale didn't 'only' save Katniss' family...
2. But the difference is that Peeta gets his life saved *at least* as much by Katniss as he saves hers and Katniss doesn't save Gale once.
3. Although I'm sure he meant it, Peeta said it only Live TV for the Hunger Games. Katniss didn't realize he was serious about it until after, so you can't count that as telling her how he feels.
4. Have you ever heard the saying "If you ever really love something, let it go"? Gale let Katniss go because he knew she would never forgive him. That's really brave. And it's not like Peeta was really fighting for her...
5. He wasn't selfish- letring her go proves that.
6. No, neither Finnick nor Gale should've died.
Okay so I will admit, when I first read the books some 2 yrs ago, I was all about Gale. Then, I got some perspective. Gale loved Katniss. He always had. But he loved her hardness, her toughness, her loyalty. Peeta loved everything about her, her stubbornness, her brashness, and yes, her kindness and compassion, not just one side of her. And yes, Gale was her right-hand man, her go-to guy, and while he was loyal to her, he was just too much like her. He was a fighter. A risk-taker. Just like Katniss. I don't think it would have been a good match anyways; he's volatile, if you shake him up a bit he may explode and never come back. He can also be ruthless, cruel even. He knew that he was going to kill innocent children when he created the bombs. Sure, he wasn't aiming for Prim, but that's how it ended up. At least he had the decency to leave town and allow Katniss to try to repair the mess he made in her life. I do like Gale, but Peeta stuck with his love for her through and through and didn't completely freeze her out and opt for another Hunger Games as revenge against the Capitol.Let the record show that I am totally in favor of Peeta...
Well I prefer Peeta, but idk what to think about the bomb, it could have been his fault ,but it also couldn't. He could have still been in the house with the Peacekeepers ,and then there is a possibility he was rescued and fired the bomb. He could have known Prim and Katniss were down there, but he also couldn't have known either. There are many possibilities and the only way we would be able to find out is a prequel. Gale is just a mystery never to be solved.
Emma wrote: "Well I prefer Peeta, but idk what to think about the bomb, it could have been his fault ,but it also couldn't. He could have still been in the house with the Peacekeepers ,and then there is a possi..."Gale didn't fire the bombs himself, he just masterminded the idea and general configuration of the bombs with Beetee, remember?
Kat wrote: "Emma wrote: "Well I prefer Peeta, but idk what to think about the bomb, it could have been his fault ,but it also couldn't. He could have still been in the house with the Peacekeepers ,and then the..." True but he also could have ordered to drop the bomb.
Tina J wrote: "Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ wrote: "Here is the complete speech:On his love: I believe that Gale really did love Katniss in the first and second books- they were so close- it's clear to see that he had..."
Haters gonna hate.
Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ 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..."
It's not gale who kept katniss sane, that was finnick
This is what she has on copy, right Charlie?
Stéphanie wrote: "Charlie ♥GaleForever♥ 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."
It..." LOL!
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In the second book, he told her his true feelings for her and was willing to run away with her, but she ruined what they had by making it more than it had to be. Katniss ruined everything between them, and it's not his fault.
He was doing his job making that bomb. He didn't know that Coin was evil and that she was going to drop the bomb on the kids, and he was probably devastated and filled with guilt when he found out about it. Prim was like his little sister, and he was probably one of the most angry people alive when he found out.
All in all, Gale is a great friend and an understanding person who just wants freedom. Wasn't that how some of our historic heroes were?