I couldn’t imagine more of a life changing
event than the one that Katniss Everdeen went through in The Hunger Games.
Participating in a bloodbath where only one victor is crowned, where any means
of survival and execution are allowed by all 24 tributes, Katniss had no choice but to change.
Katniss, just like many other people would,
changed from participating in the Hunger Games. Her hunting, bow skills didn't
change, but Katniss's confidence was certainly altered. If you just look at the
interviews, they are a perfect "before and after" example. Before the
Games, she is shy and goes with whatever Caesar Flickerman asks and says.
Although she did impress the crowd with the twirling of the dress, which took
some confidence, I would imagine that is was done in a timid and nervous
manner. After the Games, Katniss seems more confident, even telling a flat out
lie, saying that she "couldn't imagine life without Peeta". It takes
courage to lie to an entire country, that of which has the power to kill you.
It also takes courage to rebel against the Capitol, which happens later in the
series.
Along with her confidence, Katniss's
relationship with Peeta drastically modified. Before the Games, she barely knew
him. Now she has to act madly in love with him to stay alive and out of the
wrath of President Snow. Along with the help of Haymitch's advice, Katniss and
Peeta plan to get married to further express their "love" for each
other. Just to some things up, a 6 month period of time took them from being
strangers, to husband and wife, a perfect example of change.
From the beginning to the end of the Games,
the amount of respect Katniss earns changes tremendously. Before the Games,
Gale, Prim, and probably Peeta are the only people who respect Katniss. Gale
knows her hunting skills and they work as a team. Prim respects her because she is her older sister and is
basically her mom. Peeta reveals his respect for Katniss when he is telling
Haymitch about her; very impressed, he says that she shoots her squirrels in
the eye every time when hunting. In the end, when her hunting is showcased to
the whole country and she wins the Hunger Games, the everyone is in awe of her
bow skills and cleverness.
Just like Fahrenheit 451's Guy
Montag, eventually Katniss rebelled against the government. Katniss revolted against the
Capitol by eating the berries in the first book and eventually flat out going
to war against them later in the trilogy. Guy Montag, the fireman who burns
books, rebelled against society and the futuristic government by hiding books
and planning to print copies of the Bible. Guy goes through change as his eyes
are opened to the world of books and the strategies of his government as does
Katniss when her eyes are opened to the ways of the Capitol and President Snow.
From the first page in the series, to
the finale, The Hunger Games portrays great transformation in the life
of Katniss Everdeen. She goes from a poor girl in Distict 12, to the leader of
the rebellion, changing her heart and mind along the way. It took courage,
confidence, and respect, all of which were acquired from taking part in the
Hunger Games.
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