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new to tumblr hunger games

[gabby4578]

The way Snow could have said literally anything else when Lucy Gray asked who the third person he killed was. Like cmon you can come up with “I’m just sending water” on the fly but you can’t think of something better than “my old self?” He is so dramatic.

[gabby4578]

I rewatched TBOSAS and I just cannot get over how much I love it. The world building, themes, acting performances, set design, cinematography, score/music, casting, and so much more is so perfect to me. Everytime I watch I am transported back to November 2023 and reinvigorated with a love for that story. Ughh I need to reread now!!

[gabby4578]

Okay, walk with me… I saw rachelramas on tik tok compare Peeta to Conrad (healed) and that being the reason she connected so much with tsitp season 3 and it all clicked.

It’s the way they yearn. Their unflinching loyalty, selflessness, and unconditional adoration for those they love, even to a fault at times. Sometimes they believe the best way to show their love is to retreat and work in the background to take care of everything.

Belly admiring Conrad as he talks about the human body in Paris is so similar to Katniss being mesmerized by Peeta’s passion as he paints her plant book. Peeta and Conrad both tell their loves that they don’t know the effect they have on people. They never ask for more than the other is willing to give.

Their love is so patient and built from truly understanding the other.

[gabby4578]

When thinking about love triangles within fandoms, the conversation almost always is reduced to superficial ship wars that seek to definitively prove that one choice is better than the other.

It makes sense that this type of discourse is so ingrained in fandom culture because it can be so fun and can be a way to connect with others. But, focusing only on this and proving one character is better than the other misunderstands the core of a love triangle: two people just loving each other more. Seeking to villainize a character so that there is a specific reason to rule them out as a romantic partner is unnecessary and reductive.

The Peeta/Gale debate within the hunger games fandom is a tale as old as time and there are so many arguments, analyses, jokes, and debates dissecting who is better for Katniss. Regardless, it boils down to the fact that Katniss just loves Peeta more. There is no complex reasoning or justification. She doesn’t choose Peeta because Gale is the “Prim reaper” or possessive or any other common anti Gale arguments. Her reasoning has nothing to do with Gale. She chooses Peeta simply because she loves him. This is the exact concept of “it would have happened anyway” that Katniss explicitly asserts at the end of Mockingjay. Her and Peeta would always find each other in any context no matter what because it is always their story.

[gabby4578]

Follow up to this post but it’s even crazier that Katniss responds to Gale’s comment “it would be better if he were easier to hate” by basically saying “duh!!! Now you get my dilemma!!!”

At this point, she thinks she chose Gale after the whipping but she still can’t fully commit to him. She never once tells Gale that she desires anything romantic with him and then will offhandedly say something like this about Peeta. With Gale, Katniss feels like she should give him more than she wants to offer. With Peeta, she wants to give him more than she feels like she should offer.

[gabby4578]

The infamous line “you could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him, you know” (Catching Fire, pg 178) is such a loaded statement. It is often viewed through an everlark lens (rightfully so) but it also reveals much about Haymitch.

Primarily, this comment is his way of lashing out at the entire quell situation, insulting Katniss in the process. Haymitch and Katniss are so similar in their upbringings, way of thinking, and relationship with Peeta. By insulting Katniss, he insults himself. Like Katniss, he feels so guilty and shameful that his initial reaction to the quell announcement was that of anger and self pity when Peeta was thinking of a plan to save everyone.

When Peeta begs to go back into the arena, Haymitch is reminded that he also does not deserve Peeta. This is someone who showed him kindness when he did not deserve it. Peeta took care of him on the train after the reaping after Haymitch had already been no help as a mentor. He even baked him bread and checked up on him after he decided to prioritize Katniss over him in the arena. Now he is selfless again in his mission to save everyone.

Haymitch says this because he believes he, too, could live a hundred lifetimes and never deserve Peeta.

[gabby4578]

During my Catching Fire reread, a random line stuck out to me because it explores Katniss’s immense guilt and trauma surrounding her position as a symbol of hope and rebellion.

As they consider running away, Katniss and Gale argue about who would be joining them and the implications of the recent uprisings. Katniss tries to explain the violent and harsh realities of these events while Gale jumps at the idea of the rebellion and says:

“You could do so much.” - Catching Fire, pg 100

This simple line is so heavy because it causes Katniss to spiral into self doubt and shame. We know how protective and loyal Katniss is and this comment cuts through her. After the whipping and all the crackdowns in 12, she feels selfish and cowardly. She is confronted with her influence as a symbol in the districts and carries that burden constantly.

Katniss is in desperate need of emotional comfort and understanding which Gale is completely unwilling to provide. At best, this comment proves how much he doesn’t understand her. At worst, it is so sinister, especially right after he claims he loves her.

I just have so much love for Katniss and it is devastating to witness how alone she feels throughout Catching Fire. It is the biggest reward for me as a reader when she finally allows herself to seek comfort in Peeta during the quell, focusing solely on keeping him alive.

[gabby4578]

Peeta’s hijacking is so tragic because it largely has nothing to do with him. Snow turns Peeta into his worst fear, using him as a piece in a larger game to psychologically and physically torture Katniss. He strips Peeta of his sense of self and alters him into everything he is not.

Upon captivity, Snow definitely sought to punish Peeta for the role he played in the rebellion (creating the star crossed lovers narrative, “if it weren’t for the baby,” painting the picture of Rue, offering some of his winnings to Thresh and Rue’s family, etc.) but he knows Peeta is not responsible for sparking the rebellion. Peeta is not the one who pulled out the berries. He was ready and willing to die for Katniss after the rule change was rescinded. Snow knew Peeta was not acting and was motivated by his love for Katniss. He acted rebelliously in different ways but ultimately knew how to perform effectively for the Capitol during the Victory Tour.

Snow sees himself in Peeta: another victim of the manipulative tactics of a Covey girl. By brainwashing Peeta to hate Katniss, Snow does what he did to himself with Lucy Gray. Katniss succeeds in convincing Snow of her love for Peeta, granting him the power to truly break her. Ultimately, it is Katniss Snow wishes to punish and he uses Peeta as a means to an end.

(This post further discusses Peeta’s journey and the significance of his recovery because there is some hope!!)

[gabby4578]

I was always so confused with Coin’s preference for saving Peeta over Katniss from the arena. While she mistakenly assumes Peeta would be easier to control, she also must know that Peeta would never have worked as the Mockingjay. First, the Mockingjay imagery and symbolism originated from Katniss’s pin and actions. The rebellion needed this strong “branding” as a symbol of hope for people to cling to. Second, his journey did not possess the emotional weight required to assume the role. In the eyes of Panem, Peeta is undoubtedly a tragic and charismatic figure, but his story is moving largely because of Katniss.

Katniss, on the other hand, represented the most oppressed class there is. She was a young woman supporting her family from the poorest part of the poorest district. Her journey began because of her love for her sister and it was clear that every subsequent action was selfless and defiant. This is the figure the rebellion needed. Her anger, kindness, ingenuity, and instincts made her a captivating figure (whether she liked to perform or not). Katniss is entirely the right person at the right place at the right time.

In failing to see Katniss’s strengths for what they were, Coin fundamentally misunderstands Panem and the rebellion. It shows how her motivations were entirely for selfish gain. She never sought to liberate, but to further her own agenda of control.

[gabby4578]

It’s so interesting to consider the different personas created for Katniss and Haymitch during their games’ recaps. The Capitol enforces gender stereotypes to make them more palatable, entertaining victors.

Katniss is branded as a wide-eyed, lovesick girl, emphasizing her femininity and youth. This narrative requires a romantic partner. Alone, her rebellious actions would be intentional choice. With Peeta, the berries stunt was a desperate act to cling to her lover.

Haymitch’s narrative, on the other hand, relied on the fact that he was a loner. He was a snarky rascal troublemaker who abandoned the newcomers. This persona, along with the violent actions against the careers in the arena, made him a brutal victor who flaunted his battle scars.

Both of these narratives were used by the Capitol to maintain control against the rebellious victors. The Capitol audience could buy into these storylines as entertainment so they didn’t see rebellious actions for what they were.

[gabby4578]

There are so many moments throughout the series where Katniss will say something about Peeta or think about him in a certain way and I literally have to stop and be like … girl you’re in love with him?!?? So many people bring up when she describes his eyelashes and I definitely agree but I raise the moment before they watch Haymitch’s games where she is literally deprived of Peeta’s warm/loving presence:

“When Peeta holds out his arms, I walk straight into them. It’s the first time since they announced the Quarter Quell that he’s offered me any sort of affection. He’s been more like a demanding trainer, always pushing, always insisting Haymitch and I run faster, eat more, know our enemy better. Lover? Forget about that. He abandoned any pretense of being my friend. I wrap my arms tightly around his neck before he can order me to do push-ups or something. Warmth radiates from the spot where his lips just touch my neck, slowly spreading though the rest of me. It feels so good, so impossibly good, that I know I will not be the first to let go.” — Catching Fire, pg. 193

Not only does Katniss describe the effect of his affection in such a beautiful way, she finally allows herself to let go and relish in it. She embraces it as a luxury that grounds her amidst the chaos of the quell. To me, it is such a clear shift in her perception of their relationship where she finally admits she needs him.

[gabby4578]

Hi. Do you think Peeta was able to some degree achieve his desire to show the Capitol in the first Games that he is more than just a piece in their Games?

I definitely think so. The creation of the “star crossed lovers” was an unprecedented strategy that allowed Peeta to create and control the narrative. Now, all the attention was on two kids from the poorest district and the gamemakers were forced to react. This directly led to the two victor rule change. Peeta wanted to die as himself and, with this change, he is able to do so. He spends what he believes are his last moments with the girl that he loves.

Beyond the first games, he has many rebellious moments that challenge the Capitol, allowing him to show that they don’t own him. He offers some of his victor’s winnings to Thresh and Rue’s families. He paints a picture in honor of Rue in his training session. During his time in captivity, he warns District 13 of the bombing.

His ultimate act of preserving his sense of self is overcoming the highjacking. After being used as a pawn by Snow in his larger game to hate and kill Katniss, Peeta finds a way to heal. Although he might never be the same, he is able to love Katniss again because that is who he is as a person. He is more than just a piece in Snows games and no amount of psychological torture could strip him of his ability to love.

Thank you so much for the question!!! It made my day and I feel so validated in my hg thoughts and ramblings!!

[gabby4578]

Kindness is an attribute assigned to Peeta, but it oftentimes is solely attached to his love for Katniss. There are so many moments that showcase Peeta’s kindness, independent of Katniss:

- He takes care of Haymitch on the train after they first meet simply because he needed it.

- In the first games, he likely shows the tribute mercy after he is sent to finish them off.

- After the games, he takes care of haymitch again by checking in on him and bringing baked goods.

- On the victory tour, he offers one month of winnings to thresh and rue’s family.

- He paints a picture of Rue during his training session to honor her.

- He comforts the morphing, ensuring she dies experiencing kindness (my favorite moment).

- He likely provides comfort and reassurance to Johanna and Annie in the Capitol.

- In his hijacked state, he makes Finnick and Annie’s wedding cake.

Overall, these moments show how Peeta is a kind person regardless of this love for Katniss. It is a key aspect of his personality and shapes the decisions he makes. These moments are essential in understanding Peeta as a holistic person, not just a love interest.

[gabby4578]

It’s so easy to hate on Gale but he did give one of my favorite lines. In Catching Fire when they were training for the quell and he, the biggest hater there is, couldn’t say anything bad about Peeta. Like wym “it’d be better if he were easier to hate” 😭

It’s just so good because anytime Gale talks to Katniss about Peeta previously, it is based on his jealousy from the games and class status. The second he actually meets him, he can’t say a bad word about Peeta and I think that is beautiful

[gabby4578]

Thinking about Peeta’s line “she has no idea, the effect she can have” because it fundamentally is the basis of Katniss’ entire journey. She is constantly tearing herself down despite being the one who sparked the rebellion and became a symbol of hope. She praises Peeta’s charm and ability to win over a crowd but never gives herself the same credit. People rally behind her because she is genuine in her passion, protectiveness, anger, and resolve. She just does not see her power so I love the hospital scene in mockingjay when she finally is confronted with her effect on people.

It’s also funny because Peeta is truly baffled that she can’t see why he and everyone else loves her.

[gabby4578]

Jealous Katniss is simultaneously my favorite and least favorite things. On one hand, I love seeing her confronted/challenged with her feelings for Peeta where she feels protective, territorial, and irrationally angry. On the other, she is perfect and it is heartbreaking to see her feel devastated/insecure in that way.

[gabby4578]

Rereading catching fire and I remember how much I adore the time right before the quell. With the belief of her imminent death hanging over her, Katniss lets go of the idea of her life back in 12 and embraces her time with Peeta. There are so many beautiful moments where she admires and understands Peeta so deeply, like their day on the rooftop and connecting over their rebellion during the training sessions. It’s so beautiful too bad they are reliving their worst nightmares competing in the games yet again😭