Katniss' Change

Complete transformation. In the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins the main character, Katniss, experiences such a transformation. By the end of the book, Katniss transforms into a whole new person. Throughout the book Katniss' identity, relationships, and views evolve completely as she matures.

Most importantly, Katniss' identity changes drastically. The only thing Katniss really knows at the beginning of the book is providing for her mother and sister, Prim. This is the core of her identity, and the only thing she has going for her. Katniss appears socially awkward, stubborn, and determined to a fault. Katniss does not get attached to people or things very easily. Warm and fuzzy emotions are a luxury that she can not afford. Katniss solely focuses on survival. Katniss is not sentimental. For example, she has no love for the family cat, Buttercup. To Katniss, Buttercup represents "another mouth to feed" (Collins,3). Katniss even tries to drown Buttercup in a bucket. Katniss' survivalist mindset also makes her hard to like. In fact Katniss says that she does not think of District 12 as a "place that cares for" her (24) This changes when Katniss sacrifices herself for Prim, who so many love and care about. District 12 shows her respect, admiration, and love for this choice. With this sacrifice Katniss has "become someone precious" (24) to the district. Katniss gets through the games fairly easy, but not without them changing her. Katniss' transformation begins when she rides on the chariot with Peeta as part of the parade of tributes. At that moment Katniss feels that she "is as radiant as the sun" (121); giving her confidence. As the book progresses Katniss learns to respect humanity more and appreciate people in her life other than her family. Katniss shows this when she sings to Rue and adorns her with flowers after she dies. Katniss proves this again when she goes to help Peeta, even though by doing so she weakens herself because he is helpless. The games also helped her find closure concerning the death of her father. At the end Katniss removes all traces of the Capitol from her physical being, but she can not remove the effects from her identity.

Furthermore, Katniss' relationships with others change as she matures. Katniss encounters many people throughout the book. First, we should begin with Katniss' relationship with her mother. In the beginning Katniss resents her mother for neglecting her and Prim when their father died in a mine explosion. Katniss later shows maturity when she begins to look at the situation from her mother's perspective and actually tries to understand. The time Katniss spends away from her mother helps her realize that she actually does care for her. Secondly, look at Katniss' relationship with Haymitch. Katniss and Haymitch do not really get along. Katniss believes that Haymitch hates her. During the games Haymitch