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Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)

by Suzanne Collins

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Alyssa E said: " Catching Fire by Susanne Collins is a dystopian fiction novel that explores the themes of survival, teamwork, trust, and guilt. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, the main character, a 17 year old girl from District 12 who recently won the 74th Hung Catching Fire by Susanne Collins is a dystopian fiction novel that explores the themes of survival, teamwork, trust, and guilt. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, the main character, a 17 year old girl from District 12 who recently won the 74th Hunger Games alongside Peeta Mellark. For example, guilt is shown when after winning the games, Katniss and Peeta are forced to continue their fake love story (and ordered to make it more believable by President Snow) and also give a speech to each of the districts. When they get to District 11, Katniss talks about Rue in her speech, (a little girl whom she protected during the games), and to show respect for her a man whistles and the whole crowd presses three fingers of their left hand against their lips and extends their hands to Katniss. The man who whistled ends up getting shot by the peacekeepers, and the crowd is rushed to stop their sign of respect. After this happens Katniss is overwhelmed with guilt, “I was supposed to fix things on this tour. Make everyone who had doubted believe I acted out of love. Calm things down. But obviously, all I’ve done today is get three people killed, now everyone in the square will be punished” (Collins, 65). This quote shows that Katniss feels responsible for all the deaths due to not only the games but from the upcoming rebellion as well. She feels as if she just keeps messing up and the stress is getting to her.

Secondly, the crisis arises at the very start of the book. With everything happening, a rebellion is on the rise. The Capitol is extremely upset with the trick Katniss pulled with the berries. And Katniss begins to realize she is going to become the face of the rebellion due to that action. The mockingjay becomes her symbol, “A mocking jay is a creature the Capitol never intended to exist. They hadn’t counted on the highly controlled jabberjay having the brains to adapt to the wild, to pass on its genetic code, to thrive in a new form. They hadn’t anticipated its will to live” (Collins, 92). This symbolizes Katniss ready to stand up to the Capitol, and the true beginning of the rebellion and war.

Furthermore, all the actions that made Katniss and Peeta look like they were in love were just for show. Katniss and President Snow meetup to discuss everything (including the rumors of Katniss and Gale’s romance) and she is ordered by him to keep the act up with Peeta so well that even he believes they are seriously in love. He demands this so that he and the Capitol don't look foolish (due to the trick she pulled with the berries, and the star crossed lovers facade). Katniss does so in order to protect her family and Gale, despite not truly trusting Peeta or having any real feelings for him. “Please don’t hurt Gale,” I whisper. “He’s just my friend. He’s been my friend for years. That’s all that’s between us. Besides, everyone thinks we’re cousins now.” “I’m only interested in how it affects your dynamic with Peeta, thereby affecting the mood in the districts,” he says. “It will be the same on the tour. I’ll be in love with him just as I was,” I say. “Just as you are,” corrects President Snow. “Just as I am,” I confirm. “Only you’ll have to do even better if the uprisings are to be averted,” he says. “This tour will be your only chance to turn things around.” “I know. I will. I’ll convince everyone in the districts that I wasn’t defying the Capitol, that I was crazy with love,” I say. President Snow rises and dabs his puffy lips with a napkin. “Aim higher in case you fall short.” “What do you mean? How can I aim higher?” I ask. “Convince me,” he says. He drops the napkin and retrieves his book. I don’t watch him as he heads for the door, so I flinch when he whispers in my ear. “BY the way, I know about the kiss.” Then the door clicks shut behind him” (Collins, 14-15). This quote shows how Katniss is not really in love with Peeta, but is doing this in fear of her loved ones being in danger.

Moreover, as Katniss and Peeta get closer without the constant watch of the capitol, they start to genuinely care for each other. Katniss, a more reserved person who keeps to herself and doesn’t trust many, finds herself genuinely trusting and caring for Peeta. Due to her trauma, Katniss has night terrors and feels comfortable enough to ask Peeta to stay,” A side of the sleep syrup is that it makes people less inhibited, like white liquor, and I know I have to control my tongue. But, I don’t want him to go. In fact, I want him to climb in with me, to be there when the nightmares hit tonight. For some reason that I can’t quite form, I know I’m not allowed to ask that. “Don’t go yet. Not until I fall asleep,” I say. Peeta sits on the side of the bed, warming my hand in both of his” (Collins, 159). This shows Katniss as a dynamic character, changing from only loving Peeta for show and being skeptical of him to genuinely trusting him and caring about him.

Lastly, when Katniss enters Victor’s Village to see her new house, she is quick to notice how different it is from District 12. ”A light snow starts to fall as I make my way to Victor's Village. It’s about a half-mile walk from the square in the center of town, but it seems like another world entirely. It’s a separate community built around a beautiful green, dotted with flowering bushes. There are twelve houses, each large enough to hold ten of the one I was raised in. Nine stand empty, as they always have. The three in use belong to Haymitch, Peeta and me” (Collins, 6). This quote shows figurative language in the form of a metaphor. I enjoyed the use of this because it helped me envision how different this sight is to Katniss from what she was used to. It also helped show how it is kind of depressing living in Victor’s Village, since there were only 3 houses in use due to there only ever being 3 victors in District 12. Overall, I give this book 5 stars because I loved the story, characters, and genre!! ...more "

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— Apr 16, 2025 10:02AM

Apr 16, 2025 09:42PM · see review