Kill or Die

For Katniss Everdeen, or for most people, enduring the Hunger Games is no easy feat. Physical obstacles, such as dealing with starvation and dehydration, are not the only things that decrease Katniss' chance for survival. Many people lose their sense of morality or good judgement while they're in the arena. Throughout the book, Katniss has proven that she is fighting to stay true to herself and not let the effects of the arena get the best of her.

First of all, Katniss was not a strong believer in killing people viciously, or killing at all. Unlike the Careers, tributes who have been training all their lives for the Hunger Games and eager for fresh blood, Katniss' initial plan was to put as much space as she could between her and the rest of the tributes at the start of the Hunger Games. Killing wasn't at the top of her agenda, but the idea haunted her. She didn't know what to make of Gale's words of advice.

"'Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know,' says Gale.
'It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think,' I say. 
'So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice,' he says. 'You know how to kill.'
'Not people,' I say.
'How different can it be, really?' says Gale grimly.
The awful thing is that if I can forget they're people, it will be no different at all." (pg. 40)


Throughout the book, Katniss learned that she could evade killing people, but it wasn't inevitable. It wasn't until her ally Rue, a young, clever girl from District 11, was killed by another tribute. Katniss would not let the boy get away with murder. This was her first kill. But she wasn't sadistic about it and she wasn't proud to kill the boy.

Secondly, Katniss made a good choice by not letting her anger get to her when Rue died. She didn't go looking for trouble or a tribute to fight. Instead, she wanted to prove to the Capitol that she isn't a "playing piece" of the Hunger Games. She is a person with feelings. Katniss did not want to be completely controlled by the Capitol.

"I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can't own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I." (pg. 237)


The Capitol has already ruined enough of her life. She is forced to participate in these traumatic, dangerous Games. Katniss wouldn't allow herself to drop down to the level of the Capitol. She knew she was better than these Games, better than the Capitol. I admire her determination and how she is aware of the decisions she makes. She isn't rash and impulsive. This is why she will always win.

Katniss is strong. She proved to everyone that she is independent and rebellious. She is clever and determined. The Hunger Games do not blind her from reality. She knows what decisions are righteous and which ones are immoral. Her strong sense of morality is something to be admired. Sometimes people forget about good judgement when the stakes are high. Katniss has the will to live, but not because she's afraid of dying. She has a chance of winning and is a symbol of hope for people. Katniss is not ready to die just yet.