Hungry for More: Part 2

Ask anyone who has read this book, it's not hard to find the way to the end in a short period of time. After ending it, I have to say this is on my list of top five favorite books. Putting aside the annoying hype for the upcoming movie, I was utterly engrossed from start to finish. In my last post, I left off at the moment just as the Hunger Games were beginning. Boy, a lot happened in the final two-hundred pages of this novel. Once again, I will not equivocate in telling effete summations of a familiar book. The following are some of my favorite moments.

Two very prominent relationships arose during the Hunger Games. One between Katniss and Rue, the other between Katniss and Peeta.

“I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, 'So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?' I turn into him. 'Put you somewhere you can't get hurt.” As the Hunger Games begin, it is revealed that Peeta is in love with the other tribute from his disctrict, Katniss, This throws in a whole new twist because only one can win. Katniss has already made it clear that Peeta is no one of her interest. As the Games continue, her thoughts are often revolving around Peeta- wondering if he's dead, if he was lying about loving her, and so on. As the Games narrow down to only six tributes, the Gamemakers announce that two can win if they are form the same district. Immediately, Katniss goes to find Peeta. Upon her arrival, he was in an alarming state on the verge of death. Without Katniss tending to his wounds and caring for him, it is likely he wouldn't have survived. The previous quote from Katniss shows how a person would do anything to survive and keep loved ones alive as well. It also shows the beginning of their progressing relationship. By the conclusion of the novel, we are left to wonder if all that had happened between the two was for the audience or if it actually was truly authentic.

Midway through the Games, Katniss makes an alliance with a younger girl tribute named Rue. Together they make a strong team, teaching each other survival skills and knowledge of their own. Unfortunately, Rue is captured and speared. In her last moments Katniss is by her side. One of Rue's last requests is to win, not for the sake of Katniss and her district, but for Rue as well. By becoming so attached to Rue, it becomes Katniss' mission. Rue's other final request is to sing to her. Choking back tears, Katniss sings a lullaby, one that is a little to ironic to the present situation:

“Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when it's morning again, they'll wash away
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.” 

Katniss drapes a canvas of flowers over Rue's body and leaves the scene with only a small memory of a girl who saved her life. She owes her the winning title of the Hunger Games and she won't accept anything less.