Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Synopsis: A dystopian post-apocalyptic society called Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year, two young representatives, known as tributes, from each district are selected randomly from a lottery, which has all of their names, to participate in a televised fight-to-the-death competition known as the Hunger Games. In order to control future rebellions against the governing systems, the Capitol forces them to participate in the brutal games that only one, out of the pool of teens and pre-teens, selected will win. The games are broadcasted on television for all of Panem to watch. The book centers around Katniss, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers for her 12-year-old sister, Prim after her name is chosen. Katniss is joined by fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta.
Character Highlight: Rue was a girl of color from
District 11, where most of the black people in Panem reside (this is
visualized more in the movie). She was also the youngest and smallest tribute
in the games. Her small stature made her fast and agile, which she used to her advantage
in the arena during the games. Rue was also very knowledgeable about nature and
outdoor survival.
Interaction with the Main Character: Katniss sees a resemblance between
Rue and her sister Prim, because of their size and age. Katniss and Rue agree
to form an alliance, after Rue sees Katniss' MockingJay pin as a sign she
could be trusted. She and Katniss help each other survive and devise a plan
against the strongest alliance in the arena. When Rue is killed after a being
speared, Katniss sings to her and places flowers around her body. She also
gives a 3 finger salute from her district. Katniss was crushed after Rue’s
death, and never fully recovered from losing Rue.
Impact and/or Contribution to the
overall story:
Katniss is seen from the Capital’s standpoint as committing an act of defiance,
because she decorated Rue’s body after her death. It threatens the spirit of
the Hunger Games, in which tributes are supposed to show no mercy for one
another as they must be ruthless and kill to win. Katniss continues to have
flashbacks of Rue’s death in her dreams.
In the sequel, Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta go on a tour as Victors (winners)
to visit the other districts. District 11, where Rue was from, is first.
Katniss and Peeta give very heartfelt speeches, offer to donate money, and
express sincere emotions to the families of Rue and the other tribute from
District 11, which is out of the traditional order. After their speeches, an
old man whistles Rue's four-note mockingjay tune, which
Rue taught Katniss in the arena, and the citizens offer their thanks and salute
Katniss. The man is killed by Peacekeepers who feel this is an act of rebellion
on the rise. Katniss and Peeta realize at that moment, just how powerful the
President and Capitol is and how far they will go to oppress the citizens of
Panem.
About the AuthorK. Bly is an expert on book reviews that spotlight girls and women, of color, characters in the horror, sci-fi, and suspense genres of literature, in novels and comic books. You can find her on both Twitter (@emma_fRhost2) and Instagram (@game_of_rhos)