Katniss, Flat or Frightened?

In re-reading The Hunger Games series, Katniss Everdeen's confusing nature stood out. I remembered her blunt, severe attitude, but now had a sense of underdevelopment. Throughout the novel, it is hard to learn much about Katniss's true feelings towards other characters or herself. Cinna asks her to "just be [her]self" to Ceasar Flickerman, but she responds, "Haymich says I'm sullen and hostile" (Collins 121). This shows Katniss's character through the words of another character. She describes herself with this method often, and confuses readers to what she actually believes.

During the Games, Katniss puts on a face for the Capital citizens in order to get sponsors. She transforms into a frilly, airheaded, giggly girl, and the subject of Peeta's love. Whenever she is "guaranteed a close-up" Katniss responds with "a knowing smile," even in discovering her lover's betrayal (Collins 163-146). This shows her actions are only to play to the Capitol's feelings. The readers only get a glimpse of the former Katniss in District 12. At the beginning of the novel, Katniss introduces Gale, Prim, and her mother. Gale is simply a friend who "could be [her] brother," and towards her mother she is "not the forgiving type" (Collins 8). New characters are presented with simple feelings, devoid of emotion. Katniss presents herself as a person who is indifferent towards the people in her life.

Prim is the only character she shows actual feelings towards, and later on, Rue. Prim is "as fresh as a raindrop…lovely as the primrose for which she was named" (Collins 3). Descriptions of others fall flat in comparison to Katniss's feelings towards her sister. It even compels her to volunteer her life as tribute. During the games, Rue quickly becomes Prim's image. After Rue is shot, Katniss says "this Prim's, I mean, Rue's last request," as if it was not obvious enough that Katniss saw her sister through Rue (Collins 234). Katniss puts her trust in Rue completely, and her feelings towards Rue and Prim are the only times in the novel where readers can discern legitimate feelings.

Katniss could be flat in her development as a character, or she could be traumatized. Her mother, who she trusted, betrayed her as a child, almost killing their entire family. After this, Katniss seems to decide to never trust another again. She shows no emotion towards others as a result of this trauma. Loving someone creates a connection that will cause horrible pain if broken. Katniss is afraid and angry at the thought of experiencing such loss and hurt again, so she distances herself from anyone else. While Katniss is presented as a girl uncapable of having any emotion, and possibly underdeveloped, it could also be from the lack of love and true parenthood in her childhood.