In chapter 8, the tributes see their scores out of 12 broadcast to the nation. The Careers are in the 8 to 10 range. Most of the players average a five. Little Rue comes up with a seven. Peeta pulls an eight, and Katniss gets an eleven. They congratulate eachother and head off to bed. Tomorrow night will be the televised interviews. The next day, Haymitch is going to coach them on interviews, but there is a change of plans: Peeta has asked to be coached separately.
In chapter 9, Katniss feels kind-of betrayed, but she knows that it’s probably better if they are enemies because she will have to kill him eventually in order to survive. For the interview, Cinna designs for her another beautiful dress made out of jewels that make her look as though she is engulfed in tongues of fire. Though she did not really get any useful help from Haymitch, Cinna tells her to just be herself and that everyone admires her spirit. Then it’s time for the interviews. The tributes are lined up on the stage in front of City Circle. Katniss will be second to last since the girl tribute precedes the boy in each district. Haymitch tells them that they still have to act like they’re a happy pair. Katniss’s interview goes well and then it’s Peeta’s turn. During the interview, Caesar Flickerman (the host) asks him if he has a girlfriend back home. Peeta tells him no, but he’s had a crush on this one girl ever since he can remember. Caesar says, “So, here’s what you do. You win, you go home. She can’t turn you down then, eh?” Peeta replies that he doesn’t think that’s going to work, “Winning… won’t help in my case.” He blushes beet red and stammers, “Because… because… she came here with me.”
In chapter 10, Katniss is so surprised and shocked and she blushes. Caesar asks if Katniss knew and Peeta says not until now. When he is done, the roar of the crowd is deafening. Peeta has absolutely wiped the rest of the tributes off the map with his declaration of love for Katniss. Back at the Training Center, Katniss is mad at Peeta for saying those things about her and not telling her because she thinks he did it just as an act to get sponsor support. Peeta and Haymitch convince her that it helped both of them because it made her look desirable and that they are all the Capitol is talking about – the star-crossed lovers from District Twelve. She still thinks that she should’ve been told, but they say that if she would have known, her reaction wouldn’t have read as real. She realizes that she was wrong and apologizes to Peeta. Before they go to bed, Haymitch gives them one last bit of advice: “When the gong sounds, get the hell out of there. You’re neither of you up to the blood bath at the Cornucopia. Just clear out, put as much distance as you can between yourselves and the others, and find a source of water.” Katniss, after trying to fall asleep, finally goes up to the roof to get some air. She finds Peeta up there. They talk and he says that he’s never been a contender in the Games anyway. His best hope is to not disgrace himself. He doesn’t want them to change him in there, to turn him into some kind of monster that he’s not. He wishes he could think of a way to show the Capitol they don’t own him. That he’s more than just a piece in their Games. The next day is the day the Games start. A hovercraft comes to pick her up and a tracker is injected into her arm so the Gamemakers will always be able to trace her whereabouts in the arena. She is taken to her own Launch Room to get ready. Cinna pins on her gold mockingjay pin onto her outfit. The material she wears is designed to reflect body heat, which will be helpful in cool nights. Finally, a pleasant female voice announces it’s time to prepare for launch. Cinna tells her one last thing – that he’s not allowed to bet, but if he could, his money would truly be on her. A glass cylinder lowers around her and he taps his fingers under his chin. She lifts her head high and for maybe 15 seconds, she’s in darkness. Then a metal plate pushes her out of the cylinder and she is dazzled by the bright sunlight. She’s conscious only of a strong wind with the hopeful smell of pine trees. Then, the legendary announcer Cludius Templesmith’s voice booms all around her: “Ladies and gentlemen, let the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin!”
Wow! This is really cool! I can’t wait to get into the actual games. I wonder what will happen with Peeta and Katniss. They got into an argument in the roof the night before the Games and I wonder if they will continue to act as if they are “star-crossed lovers.” I was completely shocked when Peeta announced that he loved Katniss, but then I was a little sad when it turned out that it was just an act. Oh, well. It was a really clever idea though. I really like Cinna. He is always there for Katniss to act as a friendly father-figure and mentor when she really needs it. Plus, the descriptions of his outfits are so awesome! I can actually picture them in my head and I wish they were real. That reminds me! I found out that there is going to be a Hunger Games movie! So I guess I’ll see what they make for her dresses then! Hopefully they will be just like the descriptions in the book.
No comments:
Post a Comment