Catching FireThe second book of The Hunger Games

SeriesBy: Suzanne Collins

L. LasherEnglish Period 2March 18, 2010

Setting

This is a futuristic North America where the U.S. has been quashed into “districts,” all surrounded by electric barbed wire and each being policed by an elite squad of soldiers with heavy artillery. The country is now known as Panem.

Katniss is the most important character.

Character traits:• Bold• Caring• Survivalist • Speaks before she thinks

Katniss in her procession dress before her 2nd The Hunger Games

Main Conflict: She has a conflict with herself, because she knows what she should do, but she doesn’t do it. She also has an external conflict with those she is required to fight (man vs. man) and with the governing society in this “Brave Future World” (man vs. society).

Other important characters are:

• Peeta• Gale• Haymitch

Peeta in his procession

clothes before the 2 nd

Hunger Games—they

will flame like her dress

does

Gale in the woods where he and

Katniss used to hunt

Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta’s mentor

Quote on Character [A Peacekeeper named Darius talking to Katniss] "Aren’t you supposed to be on a train?" he asks me. "They’re collecting me at noon," I answer. "Shouldn’t you look better?" he asks in a loud whisper. I can’t help smiling at his teasing, in

spite of my mood. "Maybe a ribbon in your hair or something?" He flicks my braid with his hand and I brush him

away. "Don’t worry. By the time they get through with me I’ll be unrecognizable," I say. ****************************************************** This excerpt from the novel is giving information about what Katniss is like through dialogue.

She is well liked by the people in her district, and she is not someone who thinks she’s better than everybody else, even though she managed to survive above 22 other young adults chosen for the Hunger Games. She doesn’t like to “dress up,” but she does, because she knows it’s a necessity since she has to be presented as the victor in all the districts. As she states, she will be leaving by train at 2 pm to travel through all the other districts, hailed as the winner of this year’s Hunger Games.

Quote on Setting

My next stop is the Hob, where I’ve traditionally done the bulk of my trading. Years ago it was a warehouse to store coal, but when it fell into disuse, it became a meeting place for illegal trades and then blossomed into a full-time black market. If it attracts a somewhat criminal element, then I belong here, I guess. Hunting in the woods surrounding District 12 violates at least a dozen laws and is punishable by death.

***************************************** This quote describes a place Katniss frequents in her district, District 12.

Since she hunts outside of the fence, she is really engaging in criminal behavior, too, but the townspeople tend to turn their heads since they buys the animals she hunts. This is their only chance to have real meat for food, and so many of these people are poor and hungry. The Hob is a place where she can sell this delicacy.

Theme: Stand up for what you KNOW is right. Working with

others will help to effect change.

Plot Summary In the first book, The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta were the winners of a yearly,

enforced “fight to death” game in their country. Each District was required to choose 2 youths, a boy and a girl for this horrific game. Because of Katniss’s survival skills which she acquired though hunting in the woods outside of her district (which was a criminal act, by the way ), and because of Peeta’s love for Katniss, together the two youths were able to survive this game.

Now they are to be paraded throughout the whole of Panem as the winners, flaunted to the other Districts as survivors, a directive from the government in this society, the Capitol. Although Peeta is deeply in love with Katniss, she is not in love with him, but she must act like she is to keep her family, his family, and all of the District 12 people free from the tyranny of the Capitol.

The President actually comes to Katniss’s home and demands that she “convince him”

and all the country that she is dearly in love with Peeta. He, rightly, sees Katniss as a rebel whose actions have riled up people in many of the Districts. The only way she will be able to survive is to succumb to this evil politician’s machinations. She tries, but she soon comes to the realization that nothing she does or can do will make the President leave her alone. He wants her dead.

Soon it is again time for the next “Game.” Thankfully, Katniss and Peeta don’t have to worry about that since all survivors never have to go through that again. Or so it was in the past.

This game is the quarterly game, and the President announces a change because of the uniqueness of this one. Each District will have to send one male and one female survivor of the past Hunger Games. There are only three in District 12 – Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch. Guess who goes? You’re right. Katniss and Peeta.

Peeta and Katniss have made their country fall in love with them through

their actions during last year’s games. To keep that feeling, and to try to survive and keep their families alive, the two have announced an engagement.

Even though their supposed marriage was to be televised and hosted by the President, it will no longer occur. The two “lovers” are surely going to die at this year’s Hunger Games. Instead, that is what the country will see on their televisions at home.

But uprisings are still occurring in Panem. And many of the victors who

are forced to participate in this year’s games are showing signs of revolt, too.

Katniss and Peeta on the beach

in the Hunger Games arena

during a brief moment of

relaxation

How much more revolting is occurring in the individual Districts – or is it all quashed, nevermore to occur?

Who will live and who will die in this year’s Hunger Games?

Do Katniss and Peeta have any chance of surviving together?

What is going on in the land of Panem?

Districts revolting

Katniss in the arena and out

Where is Peeta?

Source Page:

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009.