The Gamemakers

How do the Gamemakers control the environment and "entertainment value" of the Games? How does knowing she is being manipulated for the pleasure of the audience affect Katniss? How would it affect you? Does knowing she is on live TV make Katniss behave differently than she would otherwise? How? Be sure to explain your answer.

Alliances

As the Games continue, many of the tributes form alliances with one another, agreements to work together against their competitors. Why do they do this when they know they will eventually be forced to kill one another? What are the pros and cons of forming alliances? If you were in a similar situation, would you want to form one, knowing that your partner could turn against you at any time? Why or why not?

Katniss as Survivor

Before they enter the arena, Haymitch tells Katniss to run in the opposite direction of the Cornucopia to avoid the blood bath of tributes fighting over equipment. Why does Katniss ignore this advice? Do you think she made the right decision? Why or why not? What personality traits does she possess that will help her survive? What do you think is her most important survival skill? Explain your answer.

Peeta's Best Hope

On the night before they enter the arena, Peeta tells Katniss, "My best hope is to not disgrace myself...I want to die as myself....I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not" (141). What does this tell you about Peeta? What other books have we read where characters have fought against changing who they are inside in order to survive? How are these characters similar to and different from Peeta?

Is Peeta Sincere?

After Katniss and Peeta get to the Capitol and begin their preparation for the arena, Haymitch, Cinna, and Effie begin presenting them as a team. Peeta happily goes along with their instructions, but Katniss begins questioning this strategy, wondering whether she can trust Peeta's sincerity since he will eventually be forced to kill her. What do you think? Is Peeta sincere, or is he just playing to the crowd to earn their favor for himself? Should Katniss trust Peeta? Why or why not? Give specific examples from the text to support your answer.

The Capitol vs. District 12

Once Katniss and Peeta arrive at the Capitol, Katniss notices a number of differences from her life in District 12. How different is life in the Capitol from our lives now? Is our community more like the one in the Capitol or District 12? Think about the people, the city, the food, and daily activites.Would you want to live in either place? Why or why not? Be sure to give specific details from the text to support your answer.

Effie and Haymitch

In Chapters 3 and 4, Katniss meets Effie Trinket and Haymitch, two individuals whose actions will greatly influence her survival in the Hunger Games. What are your impressions of these two people? Would you want your survival to depend on them? Are they trustworthy? What makes you respond this way? In your response, you may focus on both Effie and Haymitch or only one of them. Be sure you give specific details from the text that support your opinions.

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor...

It is the day of the reaping and all of District 12 has gathered within the square as mandated by the Capitol. All are shcoked to find little Prim has been called to be tribute, and then Katniss takes her place. The response of the community, I think, speaks volumes about the people gathered there. What does it show us?