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Katniss 'Everdeen In The Hunger Games'

Decent Essays

Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist in the novel, The Hunger Games. This proves that she has an ongoing development through the story, as she topples over obstacles and circumstances that led her to new perspectives. For example, she changes through the influence of her experience in the Capitol and in the arena of the Hunger Games. In the beginning of the story, Katniss is portrayed as a bland and uninvolving character, as she is trapped under the weight of her district; never thinking outside of the world. The only thing she really cares for is to provide food and safety for her family. She talks about her role as head of the family, “It was slow-going at first, but I was determined to feed us. I stole eggs from nests, caught fish in nets, …show more content…

She doesn’t have much warmth, attachment, or love to offer to anyone, and she finds it hard to trust people under the cruel environment of the District. It is seen on page 6 that Katniss is very observant and watchful over her surroundings, “Then I glance quickly over my shoulders. Even here, even in the middle of nowhere, you worry someone might overhear you.” She doesn’t trust anybody, except Gale and her sister, as she said on page 6, “In the woods waits the only person with whom I can be myself, Gale.” She learns to respect the harsh society of her District and the Capitol by keeping her rebellious thoughts shut. With this, Katniss too, becomes a silent and unreadable person, “I learned to hold my tongue and to turn my features into an indifferent mask so that no one could ever read my thoughts. Do my work quietly in school. Make only polite small talk in the public market.” Gale mentioned that she never smiles, except in the woods on page 6. The main problem with Katniss in the beginning of the book, was that she doesn’t understand herself. She doesn’t understand her goals, her identity, and what she lives for. During the book, she is constantly wrestling with her inner self. She says at the capitol, “I’m not really sure who I am, what my identity is. The idea scares me …show more content…

She is angered by their ignorance and attitude towards her and her position. “Suddenly I am furious, that with my life on the line, they don’t even have the decency to pay attention to me.” The experiences through the interviews, setting and vibe of the games make Katniss a different character. She is able to feel oblivious, rebellious, friendship, lies, and even compassion throughout the end of the book. For example on page 128 during the interview, Katniss is able to express her honesty to the public for the first time. On the same page, she says, “I’m also giggling, which I think I’ve done maybe never in my lifetime.” Katniss is able to trust her allies, Effie, Haymitch, Cinna, and she even befriends the redheaded Avox. On page 142, she has a chance to bond with Peeta and think about dying and keeping her dignity during the games. Katniss feels compassion and love with her partner Rue in the game. Her relationship with Peeta also changes, as she learns not only to protect herself, but someone else too. She is able to give up her own safety to protect the helpless Peeta. Although, after she experiences Rue’s death, Katniss’ goal and purpose is seen. She is going to live to fight the capitol, to avenge Rue. Seeing all the gruesome deaths and cruelty of the capitol, she becomes determined, as she believes she would not die for nothing. On page 236, she declares, “Rue’s

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