Second Post

[Haley Muir]

Haley Muir
Mrs.Connors
Honors English-D
April 23, 2012
The Narration of Katniss Everdeen
Katniss Everdeen, the main character in Suzanne Collins’ best selling
series, The Hunger Games, narrates the novels. The series is
classified as a homodietic narrative due to the fact Katniss is one of
the novels acting characters. In the novels Katniss refers to herself
in first person thus making her an overt narrator.
In Catching Fire, Katniss manipulates her role as narrator to provide
insight on events and social aspects of the Quarter Quell and the
surrounding scenes. Her narration allows for the reader to understand
the thoughts and reasoning behind her actions. Due to her narration
readers are let in on her feelings and relationships with other
characters. It also allows for conclusions to be drawn about her self
image and emotional state.
Katniss Everdeen’s narration affects the multiple roles she plays by
changing the tone as her character transitions from care giver,
friend, lover, survivor, puppet and celebrity. Without a change in
tones readers may not be aware of Katniss’s emotional states in the
different roles. Emotions Katniss feels during this time range from
happiness, despair, quilt and fear.
If Katniss did not narrate the novel, the story would drastically
change. Readers would no longer understand her emotions, thoughts, and
decisions throughout the story. The readers general knowledge about
her relationships with other supporting characters would be flawed and
possibly non-existent. In the first movie made from the series,
Katniss’s narration is non-existent leaving viewers confused regarding
her background, relationships with characters, and decision making
process. They were left in the dark when it came to her emotions in
the different roles she plays and why she allows herself to play the
different roles.
If another leading character such as Peeta Mellark were to narrate
the novel, events and social aspects would not be depicted in the same
way. Supporting characters such as Katniss’s family and Gale would not
be mentioned as often. Peeta’s narration would allow different
supporting characters to be thought of and described. The novel would
revolve more about his love for Katniss, and less than the actual
events taking place.
Towards the beginning of Catching Fire readers are told by Katniss
through the quote; “Strategically placed almost midway between the
annual Games, it is the Capitol’s was of keeping the horror fresh and
immediate (Collins 4). that the Quarter Quell is an even created by
the capitol to occur ever fifteen years as a reminder that the capitol
has control on the entire population even between Games. Had she not
clarified the confusion surrounding the Quell’s purpose, readers would
not have understood its importance to the Capitol. Katniss also
explains to readers that this years Quell will consist of previous
Victors as the Capitol assures citizens that not even Victors are safe
for the duration of their lives. Without Katniss’s input on the
situation it would be unclear to readers as to why the Quell is needed
by the capitol.
After explaining the Capitols regards to the Quell, Katniss introduces
District 12’s Peacekeepers. She explains through narration how the
Peacekeepers do not take full pride in their jobs, participating in
illegal activities such as visiting and trading at the Hob. Without
Katniss’s elaborate explanation of the Peacekeepers role in 12,
readers would be left wondering why illegal activities were allowed to
continue. This piece of insight helps the plot thicken as the
rebellions begin allowing conclusions to be made as to why 12 does not
have strict rules and punishments like other Districts.
Before the Quell, President Snow pays a visit to Katniss’s home. She
realizes who had come to visit her by the smell of blood and roses.
Even though this slight detail as to the Presidents personal hygiene
may seem irrelevant, it is proven helpful in the later portion of the
novel and the following book. During President Snows visit to
Katniss’s home in the Victor Village, Katniss’s thoughts begin to
wander through memories of her and Gale’s trip into the woods. “I
waited at least two hours. I’d begun to think that he’d given up on me
in the weeks that passed. Or that he no longer cared about me. Hated
me even” (Collins 26). In this quote, Katniss was recalling her first
encounter with Gale after the Games; at this point in the book she had
expressed her feelings for him to the audience. Had Katniss not had
this flashback, readers conclusions of the relationship between Gale
and Katniss would not have been confirmed in the recap of their kiss
in the woods.
As Snow’s threats towards everyone close to Katniss become harsher,
her feelings about Peeta also become clear. She worries her actions in
the final moments of the Games may cause harm to those close to Peeta
as well. “All I was doing was trying to keep Peeta and myself alive.
Any act of rebellion was purely coincidental” (Collins 26). Quilt
overrides all other emotions Katniss has at the time to proving she is
not always as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. Insight
on these emotions are important for the reader to begin to understand
Katniss’s actions in the Quell as she puts Peeta’s life before hers.
“I don't want Peeta singling himself out as a target for the
Gamemakers' anger. That's part of my job” (Collins 100). She does
this out of the guilt caused by Snow’s threats and in an effort to
keep him safe from Snow inside and out of the Quell as well.
When Katniss and Peeta are reunited shortly before the Victory Tour,
their feelings towards each other are cold and almost completely
negative. In her narration, Katniss explains why their relationship
has taken a bad turn and hit a rough patch. She says their
exaggerating love was worn out in the first Games and she has no
tolerance for pretending to have feelings for him while cameras are
not around. Katniss recalls the threats made by Snow and begins to
lighten up around Peeta.
Katniss also explains through narration her relationship with Gale
after her on screen love with Peeta. She believes their relationship
is not as strong because of the affection she gave to Peeta during the
games and their lack of Sunday hunting dates in the woods. Readers
would not know that Gale began working in the mines had Katniss not
relayed so. Her narration also describes why Gale still refuses to
take money and donations from Katniss’s Victor money. Gale’s mom,
Hazel, and his younger siblings are also being thought of at this
point in the novel. “On top of that, even back then he was a skilled
trapper. But it wasn’t enough to keep a family of five without Hazel
working her fingers to the bone on that washboard” (Collins 8).
Katniss’s narration begins to dive deep into details about her
relationship with Gale’s family, even when he is not around. She
explains Hazel’s work ethic and need for help. Without Katniss’s
details about Hazel
and the other children, readers would be left to imagine their lives
without a father and constant hunger.