Teenager Katniss Everdeen Character Analysis

“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself” (C.JoyBell). In the ruins of North America emerged a new country Panem, with a castle-like Capitol surrounded by twelve other districts. The Capitol is selfish and cruel, ruled by ruthless leaders, who punish the districts each year to keep them in line. They force each district to compensate one boy and one girl for their merciless games. Teenager Katniss Everdeen from District 12, lives with only her mother and her little sister, Prim. When Prim

is chosen for the games, Katniss faces possible death when she volunteers for her place. Katniss is shoved into a whole different world that will forever change her entirely. In the novel The Hunger Games, Katniss changes from the impact the Capitol has on her. Such changes were, Katniss evolved from only caring about her family to caring for friends as well, likewise she develops into a more dependent person than she was in the beginning, and Katniss transitioned from being nonpolitical to becoming a rebel.
First, Katniss expresses in the beginning of the story that she is nonpolitical, however as the novel progresses she becomes more of a rebel leader. Of the day of choosing the tributes for the games, Katniss reveals how non-interested she is about the Capitol. According to the book, “His rages seem pointless to me, although I never say so. It’s not that I don’t agree with him. I do. But what good is yelling about the Capitol in the middle of the woods? It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t make things fair” (Collins, 14). This reveals that Katniss shows no interest in what other people have to say about the Capitol, because she knows ranting won’t change anything. Furthermore, while at the Capitol, Katniss converses with Peeta, district twelves other tribute. Katniss depicts that there is still nothing anyone can do to change the Capitol. As Collins writes, “I don’t know how to say it exactly. Only… I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?’ he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? ‘I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not’. I bite my lip, feeling inferior. While I’ve been ruminating on the availability of trees, Peeta has been struggling with how to maintain his identity. His purity of self” (142). Evidently, Katniss thinks Peeta is ridiculous for the way he expresses his feelings about the Capitol and the meaning of his death, while she focuses on what the Capitol is going to provide for her.
As the story evolves, Katniss develops a state of change in her views about the Capitol. During the games Katniss finally realizes what Gale and Peeta were saying about the Capitol. Katniss reflects, “Gale's voice is in my head. His ravings against the Capitol no longer pointless, no longer to be ignored. Rue's death has forced me to confront my own fury against the cruelty, the injustice they inflict upon us. But here, even more strongly than at home, I feel my impotence. There's no way to take revenge on the Capitol. Is there? Then I remember Peeta's words on the roof. ‘Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to …to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games.’ And for the first time, I understand what he means. I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can’t own” (Collins, 236,237). Clearly, Katniss understands the Capitols true intention, which angers her more than ever so she decides to make her first deliberate act of rebellion. Moreover, at the end of the games Katniss and Peeta are the only two tributes left. It is expected that one of them kill the other for a victor. However, Katniss makes a rebellious move, by having her and Peeta object the rules completely. For she says, “Yes, they have to have a victor. Without a victor, the whole thing would blow up in the Gamemakers’ faces. They’d have failed the Capitol. Might possibly even be executed, slowly and painfully while the cameras broadcast it to every screen in the country. If Peeta and I were both to die, or they thought we were…” (344). In other words, Katniss believes that by both of them dying or pretending to die, the Gamemakers would have disobeyed the Capitol, by either having no victors or two victors. In sum, Katniss has changed from being a person who couldn’t care less about the Capitol, to a person who openly repels against the rules of Capitol.
In addition, at the start of the games Katniss is a very independent person, although she experienced a change from the games and became dependent. Firstly, when her father died Katniss became a very independent person. She explains, “At eleven years old, with Prim just seven, I took over as head of the family. There was no choice” (27). Katniss was put in a situation where she had to become in charge for the sake of her family, this created an independent attitude about Katniss that she kept to survive. She also displays her independence at the Capitol. Collins describes, “they want to know about you, Katniss.’ ‘But I don’t want them to” (117). This shows Katniss’ independence, by wanting to do it her way instead of listening to the advice she is being given.
Katniss leans towards being more dependent of other people in The Hunger Games.

Before Katniss is interviewed she admits that she is scared she will mess up. Cinna, her stylist, says, “I’ll be sitting on the main platform with the other stylists. You’ll be able to look right at me. When you’re asked a question, find me, and answer it as honestly as possible” (122). It is known that now Katniss is depending on Cinna’s advice to work, and she is also depending on him to be there for her so she can get through the interview. Additionally, during the games Katniss becomes very dependent upon Haymitch. Katniss says, “Perhaps Haymitch doesn’t realize how deep my need is. I say in a voice as loud as I dare. ‘Water’. I wait, hopefully, for a parachute to descend from the sky” (168). From this quote, it is evident that Katniss is depending on Haymitch to send her water, instead of being independent and finding it herself. To conclude, Katniss started out as an independent character, to a person who starts depending on

others.
Lastly, Katniss shows an unwavering devotion to only her family, as the story progresses she shows respect and appreciation towards others. In the beginning, Katniss is only focused on the survival of her family. For Katniss says, “I protect Prim in every way I can” (15). Clearly, Katniss will do everything in her power to protect Prim, and only Prim. Correspondingly, to keep her family alive, Katniss proves she will do anything for her family by breaking the rules. According to Collins, “Even though trespassing in the woods is illegal and poaching carries the severest of penalties (5). In making this comment, Katniss would rather risk the consequences of hunting, than see her family starve to death, proving her everlasting loyalty to her family.
As the story thickens, Katniss grows in making relationships and caring for others. For instance, she develops a friendship with Peeta and is willing to risk her life to save his. Peeta needs supplies in order to survive and he doesn’t want her to go get it, because it is too dangerous. Katniss replies, “What am I supposed to do? Sit here and watch you die?’ I say. He must know that’s not an option. That the audience would hate me. And frankly, I would hate myself if I didn’t try” (275). Plainly, Katniss shows she cares for others, she would feel bad if she didn’t at least try to help Peeta. Secondly, Katniss forms an alliance with a girl from district eight, Rue, who dies suddenly. Katniss shows her respect and devotion towards Rue while and after she passes away. For example, as Rue lay dying, Katniss holds Rue in her arms and sings to her as she dies, showing that Katniss feels connected to Rue because she didn’t leave her alone to die. In addition, after her death Katniss covers Rue in flowers. As Collins describes, “I gather up an armful and comeback to Rue’s side. Slowly, one stem at a time, I decorate her body in the flowers” (237). Unmistakably, Katniss shows her respect and love towards the little girl, she didn’t just dump the flowers on her and leave, she slowly and carefully placed the flowers on Rue’s body. In conclusion, Katniss has altered herself to care about others rather than just her family.
In brief, Katniss had no interest in politics until later in the book where she became more of a rebel.

She was very well known for her independence, however, Katniss became dependent upon others. Lastly, Katniss developed by not only caring for her family, but also for people she barely knew. “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly” (Henri Bergson). To conclude, everyone is experiencing changes every day, being put in tough situations just quickens these changes. Just as we saw in Katniss over a small period of time she transformed into a whole other

person