Sacrifice In The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Rough patches are always evident in our lives, whether we like it or not. In Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, lives in Panem, a country with 12 Districts that live in poverty, and one Capitol that lives in prosperity. Every year, the Capitol holds the Hunger Games, where a girl and boy from each District are picked and forced to fight to the death in an arena, while the people of the country watch. Katniss volunteers for her sister who is selected, and is thrown into the games. However, through the hard times of Katniss and others, Suzanne Collins shows us that love, generosity, kindness, and sacrifice can always help us prosper, no matter the darkness or seriousness of the circumstances one may find themselves

After almost dying from dehydration, Katniss finds herself in a tree, surrounded by the Career tributes-- and Peeta. Since her climbing skills are superlative, she is able to stay safe up high in her tree where no one can reach her. However, as she is drifting off to sleep, she sees Rue, the young tribute from District 11, pointing to a nest above her head. Katniss cuts the branch off the next morning, but earns herself a few stings, causing her to remain unconscious for a few days. She wakes up covered in leaves, and soon finds Rue. “‘You know, they’re not the only ones who can form alliance,’ I say… ‘You hungry?’ I can see her swallow hard, her eye flickering to the meat. ‘Come on then, I’ve had two kills today’”(p201). Although Rue is able to fend for herself, Katniss knows no one as small as Rue would be able to survive the Games. Actually so, Rue reminds Katniss of her beloved sister Prim, which causes Katniss to care for Rue even more. Although Rue and Katniss were both thrown into rough situations, their love and trust for each other has the potential to over power most of the horrid things that happen in the Games. Working together, they are even able to hatch a plan to destroy the Career tributes’

After searching for a few minutes, Katniss hears Rue screaming for her. She runs to find her tangled in a net. Katniss cuts her free, but the spear had already entered her abdomen. This brings us to another example of love and generosity prospering in hard times. On page 234-239, when Rue is on her deathbed, Katniss fulfils her dying wish of being sung to. Katniss sings her the “meadow song,” and after the cannon fires, she collects wild flowers and decorates Rue’s body, in a minor act of rebellion poked towards the Capitol. That night, Katniss receives a parachute with a piece of bread inside. Katniss recognizes the bread as from District 11. A gift from the people there to show their appreciation. “I cautiously lift the still warm loaf. What must it have cost the people of District 11 who can’t even feed themselves?”(p239). Katniss then thanks the people of District 11, knowing that the cameras are on her. The generosity and dedication of Katniss and people of District 11 pooled together to make Rue’s last days comfortable, and Katniss’ stomach full. Rue finally had a friend, and someone who she knew cared for her. Not to mention the circumstances of the situation. Katniss could have killed Rue and Rue could have killed Katniss., but love and kindness prospered in the situation. All three parts of the trio here were in hard times, and their sacrifice for each other was a benefit to all of