The Hunger Games Book Club

The Hunger Games book club is hosted by Jamie at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf.  Keep reading for our answers to this week's discussion questions!

How does Katniss feel about the country of Panem? Why does she need to make her face "an indifferent mask" and be careful what she says in public?

Kelli:  Katniss despises Panem and schools her facial expressions and censors her remarks against the Capitol so that no harm will befall her family as a result of her disdain.  It's just the first of many examples of Katniss' responsibility of taking care of her family. 

Natalie: To add to Kelli's thoughts...Katniss is always thinking one step ahead of the Capital and tries to calculate all her choices and how they will affect her family, Peeta, Gale and District 12.

Describe the relationships of Katniss with Gale, with Prim, with her mother. How do those relationships define her personality? Why does she say about Peeta, "I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people." How does her early encounter with Peeta affect their relationship after they are chosen as tributes?

Kelli:  You're asking me to talk about Katniss and Gale?  Well, let me direct you to my "Case for Gale" post... Sorry Nat, I had to do it! 

Natalie: I REFUSE to answer this one... it will only re-kindle the fire :)

How does the fact that the tributes are always on camera affect their behavior from the time they are chosen? Does it make it easier or harder for them to accept their fate? How are the "career tributes" different from the others?

Kelli:  The tributes can't show weakness or they will be perceived as weak by everyone else in the arena and will be the first ones targeted to die.  I think it makes it much harder for them to accept their fates.  The "career tributes" have an unfair advantage in that they have made a lifestyle out of preparing for the Games.  They are better fed, better trained, and glorify the idea of becoming a tribute.  They are hungry for fame.

Natalie:  I agree with Kelli on the first part about tributes not being able to show weakness but the career tributes did come with a great disadvantage... they never have had to do without and are not accustomed to having "Hollow Days"... 

Why are the "tributes" given stylists and dressed so elaborately for the opening ceremony? Does this ceremony remind you of events in our world, either past or present? Compare those ceremonies in real life to the one in the story.

Kelli:  The opening ceremony is a farce, meant to showcase the tributes and detract from the fact that they are about to go to the arena to die.  Kind of like a "last supper" to me. 

Natalie: It is one of the sick twisted aspects of the games. It is designed to showcase the Capitol's new little dolls, it dehumanizes the tributes.

When Peeta declares his love for Katniss in the interview, does he really mean it or did Haymitch create the "star-crossed lovers" story? What does Haymitch mean when he says, "It's all a big show. It's all how you're perceived." Why do they need to impress sponsors and what are those sponsors looking for when they are watching the Games?

Kelli:  I have always believed that Haymitch put Peeta up to that.  I think that Peeta had a crush on Katniss but it was not all-consuming love.  I think Peeta realized it was a good way to protect Katniss and took the story and ran with it. 

Natalie: *Coughs Bull Crap!* I think Peeta confessed to Haymitch in one of their private meetings that he was in love with Katniss. Then I think Haymitch ran with the revelation because he knew Katniss was never going to catch the audience's attention the way Peeta could.

Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, " . . . I want to die as myself . . . I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not." What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

Kelli:  Peeta hates the idea of the Capitol changing him more than death itself.  It shows how highly Peeta values his moral code.  I like that about Peeta.  I don't think he stays 100% true to himself during the Games, but he comes close. 

Natalie: Okay we can agree on this... :)