At the very end of the 9th chapter, Peeta is interviewed by Caesar, so that the audience of the Hunger Games can get a better feel for who he is. Caeser asks if Peeta has a girlfriend back in district 12, and he reveals that although he does not have a girlfriend, he does have a crush. It's Katniss. In some ways I could sort of sense it. On page 91, Peeta remarks to Haymitch, "She has no idea. The effect she can have." At the time, Katniss takes it as an insult, but I believe that he meant it as a compliment; he believes that she can easily win the crowds over to her side. Clearly, Katniss does not know that Peeta likes her until he reveals it to the entire nation on live telelvision, and so Collins introduces a new romantic conflict to the book. I'm guessing that Katniss will have to deal with her feelings for Peeta while she tries to win the Hunger Games and ensure her own survival.
Chris McKinney
I thought that this section as well as the other events before the games start were interesting parts of the book, as they show how different the Capitol is from District 12. Everyone is so excited, and it contrasts the constant gloom of Katniss' thoughts. I liked this part because it takes time to give the reader a feel for the setting and characters. Collins probably allots more pages for this section than the does for the entire ridiculously rushed ending to Mockingjay. Seriously, the wikipedia summary for Mockingjay is about as long as the actual ending. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta is also important, because it helps get them support from the people in the Capitol. The fact that you could predict it reminds me of how in Mockingjay, it is just the opposite. Events come out of the blue with absolutely no way the reader could have predicted it. That in turn reminds me of how Mockingjay renders a large part of this book pointless by nullifying Katniss' sacrifice for Prim. The relationships between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale is interesting, although I'm not really sure what the point of Gale's character is other than to create another option besides Peeta. That reminds me of how bad the end, or lack of an end, of Gale's story is in Mockingjay. I also enjoyed your note about how Katniss can win over crowds, and it reminds me of how in Mockingjay she really has no role in the rebellion other than to "inspire" people. I mean, what does she do? She and her merry band of brothers walk to the capitol while the other rebels actually do everything. It kind of feels like Coin just wanted to give her something to do to stop her from complaining.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read this story, I felt incredibly frustrated by Katniss's supreme ignorance in assessing the situation with Peeta. She continues to draw the wrong conclusion, to assume the worst of him, even when Collins makes the truth glaringly clear to the reader. For such an accomplished and pragmatic hunter, Katniss is certainly unobservant in this romance.
ReplyDeleteAnd William, don't give it all away!!!! :)
I remember reading this part of the book and instantly could not put the book down. The society in The Hunger Games is already corrupted and causes Katniss and others to put their family on the line. Bringing in a possible love relationship will create a larger conflict than just trying to survive in the arena. I remember being frustrated when I read about Peeta’s crush on Katniss. While I read this book, I was always a fan of Katniss and Gale’s friendship. I always believed that it would develop into something more than best friends and when I learned that Peeta has a crush on Katniss I struggled to decide if I was happy or mad. I agree with Mrs. Graham that I was frustrated with Katniss’s feelings towards Peeta. She continues to believe that he is a threat and cannot accept that he is a nice human. Katniss’s feeling towards Peeta causes an interesting relationship as they arrive at the arena. The relationship between Katniss, Gale, and Peeta pulled me into this book and made it very hard to put down. Combining a love relationship within an arena where characters are fighting to their death creates for a thrilling book.
ReplyDelete