Sharing my favourite quotes from the book.
“We can’t fight one another, Caesar,” Peeta explains. “There won’t be enough of us going. If everybody doesn’t lay down their weapons - and I mean, as in very soon - it’s all over, anyway.” (Chapter 2, 26)
We know how to be hungry, but not how to be told how to handle what provisions we have. In some ways, District 13 is more controlling than the Capitol. (Chp 3, 36)
“If we win, who would be in charge of the government?” Gale asks.
“Everyone,” Plutarch tells him. “We’re going to form a republic where the people of each district and the Capitol can elect their own representatives to be their voice in a centralized government. Don’t look suspicious; it worked before.”
“In books,” Haymitch mutters.
“In history books,” says Plutarch. “And if our ancestors could do it, then we can, too.” (Chp 6, 83-4)
”Is there anything you’d like to tell her?” asks Caesar.
“There is,” says Peeta. He looks directly into the camera, right into my eyes. “Don’t be a fool, Katniss. Think for yourself. They’ve turned you into a weapon that could be instrumental in the destruction of humanity. If you’ve got any real influence, use it to put the breaks on this thing. Use it to stop the war before it’s too late. Ask yourself, do you really trust the people you’re working with? Do you really know what’s going on? And if you don’t …find out.”
Black screen, Seal of Panem. Show over. (Chp 8, 113)
Then I know Prim is right, that Snow cannot afford to waste Peeta’s life, especially now, while the Mockingjay causes so much havoc. He’s killed Cinna already. Destroyed my home. My family, Gale, and even Haymitch are out of his reach. Peeta’s all he has left.
“So, what do you think they’ll do to him?” I ask.
Prim sounds about a thousand years old when she speaks.
“Whatever it takes to break you.” (Chp 10, 151)
“Better not to give in to it. It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.” (Chp 11, 156) (Finnick talking)
… for he sweeps the doctors aside, leaps to his feet, and moves toward me. I run to meet him, my arms extended to embrace him. His hands are reaching for me, too, to caress my face, I think.
My lips are just forming his name when his fingers lock around my throat. (Chp 12, 177)
The Hunger Games were an opportunity for wealth and a kind of glory not seen elsewhere. Of course, the people of 2 swallowed the Capitol’s propaganda more easily than the rest of us. Embraced their ways. But for all that, at the end of the day, they were still slaves. (Chp 14, 193-4)
It just does around and around, and who wins? Not us. Not the districts. Always the Capitol. But I’m tired of being a piece in their Games. - Katniss (Chp 15, 215)
“Panem et Circenses translates into ‘Bread and Circuses.’ The writer was saying that in return of full bellies and entertainment, his people had given up their political responsibilities and therefore their power.”
I think about the Capitol. The excess of food. And the ultimate entertainment. The Hunger Games. “So that’s what the districts are for To provide the bread and circuses.”
“Yes. And as long as that kept rolling in, the Capitol could control its little empire. Right now, it can provide neither, at least at the standard the people are accustomed to,” says Plutarch. (Chp 16, 223-4)
“… There’s only one last thing you could do to add fire to the rebellion.”
“Die,” I say quietly.
“Yes. Give us a martyr to fight for,” says Boggs.(Chp 19, 266)
“No,” says Beetee. “It would set a bad precedent. We have to stop viewing one another as enemies. At this point, unity is essential for our survival. (Chp 26, 370)
The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. (Chp 27, 388)
I’d supposed he would be secured in the deepest dungeon that the Capitol had to offer, not cradled in the lap of luxury. Yet Coin left him here. To set a precedent, I guess. So that if in the future she ever fell from grace, it would be understood that presidents - even the most despicable - get special treatment. Who knows, after all, when her own power might fade? (Chp 25 ,355-6)
