Developing Character in Catching Fire

     I am almost done with Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, the second book in the Hunger Games series. In Catching Fire, Katniss, the main character, has changed a lot since the event of the Hunger Games, the first book in the series. She has changed her perspective on things like politics, the Hunger Games, and friendship. The changes she goes through is because of the events in her life.

     In  Hunger Games, Katniss did not really think about politics or the government. After the Games, her actions during the Games caused a rebellion. Her and her teammate, Peeta, threaten to commit suicide. This action sparked a rebellion against the government. The rebels see Katniss as a leader of the rebellion. It is for this reason that the government starts to threaten to kill her and her family and friends. She learns about the corruption of the government. They killed off people that were rebelling and were making people in the districts suffer. During the Hunger Games, the government would censor some part because it was in their favor. Katniss realizes that the government was corrupt and was mad with power.

      Another thing that Katniss learns about is the Hunger Games. After she goes through her first games, she changes a lot. She has nightmares and is sad because some close friends died in the Games. When it was time for her to mentor the next tribute, it was time for a Quarter Quell, which is a special form of the Games to celebrate twenty-five years of the Games. When it was announced that former winners had to be reaped, or chosen as tributes, Katniss realized something. She realized that the Games are a way to weaken the Districts. She realized this by the way they introduced the gimmick of the Quell. “On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol…” (172). She now knows that the Games are a sick way to entertain the Capitol and to weaken the Districts.

      The final thing she learns about is friendship.  During her first Games, she formed an alliance with a girl named Rue that soon becomes her friend. During the Games, she decided to not have allies because she did not trust anyone. During her second Games, she realized that alliances and having friends is not very bad. Katniss could have used more allies to help her. In her second Games, her allies are doing well so far. They helped her, and on some occasions, saved her life. Katniss has learned that friends and allies are not bad and can be useful.

     From the Hunger Games, Katniss has developed as a character. She learned new things from being in the Games. The effects of her actions have affected her life and her perspective on things. She has changed a lot.