Welcome back to another episode of love/hate relationship with the hunger games movies. Removing Madge Undersee and the 'real' story of the Mockingjay pin. AHEM. Removing one of Katniss's only friends is diabolical to begin with, but removing how the Mockingjay pin is passed down is even worse, and makes me wonder how they'll do SOTR. Anyways, it takes away Katniss herself, because she 'tries' to come off cold, and not caring (which is slightly true) but she cares a bit, which is why she indirectly carried the rebellion. But taking away Madge and her pin takes away from how much Katniss was cared about and her obliviousness to it. Because that girl was loved. To the point that the Mayor himself actually seemed broken when he declares the tributes of district 12. Because he sees the girl who is his daughter's only friend, the girl who would sell him strawberries, the girl whose mother was best friends with his wife. He probably doesn't just see Katniss, but also Burdock as well. He sees someone who has indirectly affected and made the whole of district 12 better, which is why they salute her. Because they see a girl who is just like her father, they see a girl who wants to keep her sister safe, they see themselves in her, they see a child who had to grow up to fast. They see the girl who probably food-wise, supplied a far portion of the district. They see Katniss Everdeen. She assumes it's just because she volunteered, but as Peeta said, she doesn't understand the effect she has on others. And Madges death was actually so gut wrenching. She was described as kind, brave, quiet, and that is how she went out quiet… and forgotten. The girl who gave Katniss her name, her symbol was forgotten by everyone. Even the directors.
