Quotes from The Hunger Games - memorable quotes from The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a best-selling teen targeted trilogy by accomplished author Suzanne Collins that follows the adventures of Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl who is unwillingly swept into a death match against twenty three other teenagers by a Government that rules from afar. The hunger games is a yearly event where a boy and girl from each of the twelve regions or districts of the remnants of North America are pitted against each other in a death match for the entertainment of the citizens of Panem, their new country’s name.

During its life, the trilogy has amassed an ever swelling legion of devoted fans. Many on the level of the Star Wars franchise in that they are so familiar with the writings of Ms. Collins that they can quote specific passages and explain their relevance. In this hub I will do exactly that, introducing you to the more memorable passages from the first book, titled The Hunger Games.

The first time this quote is introduced is early in the book when we begin to learn about the relationship between Katniss Everdeen, the heroine and Gale Hawthorne, her eighteen year old friend, confidant and fellow hunter. Their reference to the phrase is in response to the scheduled reaping that occurs once annually to select “tributes” or contestants from each of the twelve districts of Panem to compete in the Hunger Games.

Neither of them is joyous as they see the Hunger Games for what they truly are, a political tool of the state. Over the previous seventy three years the government has forced the populace into accepting the fate of their innocent children that are selected to wage war to the death for the entertainment of the country. Their mocking rendition is as much a rebellious act as they feel they can safely enjoy.

Effie Trinket also utters the phrase as she enters the story as the District 12 escort for the tributes who will go to the Capitol and train for the Games. Her offering of the phrase is meant to encourage everyone to be proud of the fact that they are participating in such a prestigious event. Unfortunately District 12 has had little success and sees the whole charade for what it truly is.

There is no option for the teenagers when their names are called. Each of them has their name entered once they reach age twelve; for each year until they are eighteen and not chosen their name is entered another time. Katniss and Gale have secured what is known as tessarae, which is a meager supply of grain and oil for one person to last an entire year. They have collected this for each of their family members by sacrificing their safety by allowing their name to be entered an extra time for each tessarae.

Since Prim is twelve and has no tessarae, she has one entry into the collection of girl’s names from District twelve, where as Katniss has twenty and Gale, due to his larger family forty two chances of being chosen from the boys.

Katniss lost her father in the coal mines that distinguish District 12 from the other eleven. In many ways she lost her mother at the same time. As the leader of the family, she takes it on herself to shield her younger sister from harm. The reaping is a different threat however. Her craftiness in the woods means nothing against the Peacekeepers and the Capitol.

Cinna is the stylist assigned to Katniss to make sure she leaves a lasting impression on the audience. It is Cinna’s first time as a stylist, but he is determined to leave his mark, making Katniss so unforgettable that the viewers will begin to care how she does once in the arena. He and Portia team up to design outfits of Katniss and Peeta that simulate fire flowing from their clothes. The plan is a smashing success, elevating the profile of the District twelve tributes immediately.

Even at this point in the story Peeta is complimenting Katniss in a way that should suggest affection. Katniss is clueless however, finding the statement to be slightly offensive rather than an admission of admiration. Her independent nature gets in the way, preventing her from allowing the true meaning a space in her thoughts.

Each of the two dozen tributes is sent to a brief training in which the Gamemakers analyze their skills in a variety of survival exercises. All the training is crystallized into an overall rating on a scale of 1 to twelve. Portia relates that only high scores are important. This is briefly before Katniss is awarded a stunning assessment, at least to her, with a score of eleven.

Continuing in his quest to serve Katniss well, Cinna continues to dazzle her and the audience with another design that takes your breath away. Katniss has never been treated to this and is humbled by the effect. She finds a friend in Cinna.

...ever since I can remember. But I am pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping.” Caesar: “So here’s what you do. You win, you go home. She can’t turn you down then, eh?” Peeta: “I don’t think it is going to work out. Winning…won’t help my case.” Caesar: “Why ever not?” Peeta: ”Because…because she came here with me.”

In this exchange Peeta admits his feelings for Katniss, real feelings that Katniss misses because she thinks it is all part of Haymitch’s strategy to make the couple endearing to the audience. As part of their strategy to make the audience care about the District twelve tributes it is decided to link them romantically with every chance they get. Peeta expresses his desperation, knowing both of them cannot exit the arena alive.

For seventy three years there has been a single winner in this bloody exercise. During the contest a rule change announced by Claudius opened the door for a possible victory by both tributes from the same district. Instead the Capitol through the Gamemakers twists the rules to their choosing, placing Peeta and Katniss in a horrible situation.

By this point in the book Katniss begins to realize her feelings for Peeta and will not allow him to martyr himself. She does not want to have to live without him or with the mental scars his death will create, much like they did with her mother. Obviously her physical time in the arena will end, but she cares more about the lasting effects.

Before the games begin Peeta talks to Katniss about some way to show the Capitol that they don’t’ own him that he is more than just a piece in their game. Katniss devises a plan to do just that, using the memory of the death of Foxface when she consumed poisonous berries. She doles out a handful of the berries to Peeta and herself and urges him to follow her lead.

Facing the possibility of no victor to their hugely popular contest, the Capitol is forced to accept victory on Katniss’ terms by declaring Peeta and her the winners. This precludes the need for a sacrifice by either and delivers a small victory for the tributes. The love has blossomed against harsh odds in the arena to deliver them an unprecedented victory.

While at a refueling stop on their way home from the capitol Peeta and Katniss discuss their relationship. For Peeta it is real, for Katniss the continuation of a charade that Haymitch and Cinna concocted to make them endearing to the audience. Peeta is devastated, but Katniss is simply confused, just now realizing all Peeta’s words have been heartfelt and true.

Playing the part until the end is what Katniss has done to this point. Now that Peeta sees how she feels he has given up hope, but offers to be a good soldier for the people of the district. Katniss feels his hurt more than anything so far as she continues to see how much Peeta loves her. She suddenly knows she does not want to lose the boy who saved her so many years before with the loaf of burned bread.

Please do not take this as the limit of memorable quotes from this teriffic novel. They are simply the ones I chose to represent within the confines of this writing. Perhaps the next time i read i will isolate others and author a seocnd version. Whatever the case, I am sure you will find these to be ones you remember.

Please be sure to read my other hubs on the Hunger Games theme. I also have links to some of my own original fiction writing. Who knows, a few months from now you may be reading some of my work in published form.

Also, please comment to help me know how you like my work. Thanks for reading!