The Hunger Games

1. The Hunger Games Questions by Chapter

2. Hunger Games - Chapter 1 Part I – “The Tributes”Chapter 1 (p. 3-20) • In chapter one, we are introduced to the main character, Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl living in District 12 of the nation of Panem, in a poor area known as the “Seam.” Hunger and poverty are widespread for many of the residents, and since the death of her father, Katniss supports her younger sister and mother by hunting and gathering on restricted lands with an older boy named Gale. They split what they acquire between them, selling some things on the Black Market.The opening chapter takes place on a holiday, with the tradition greeting being “Happy Hunger Games!” We learn that being selected to compete in the Hunger Games is not something to be desired. It is meant to reinforce poverty, strengthen the Capitol’s control over the Districts and to be a lasting reminder of the futility of revolting against the Capitol.At the conclusion of the chapter, despite the odds against her being selected, Katniss’ sister Primrose is selected to be District 12’s female competitor in the Hunger Games. • Describe the narrator. What is her family situation? • Describe District 12 and the “Seam.” • What happened to Katniss’ father? • Why don’t most people have weapons like Katniss’ bow? • Who is Gale? • What is the Hob? • How is the reaping system unfair? How does it work? What is a tesserae? • What are the Hunger Games?

3. Hunger Games - Chapter 2 Chapter 2 (p. 21-33) • Chapter two begins with Katniss preventing Prim from going on stage and volunteering to take her spot as the district’s female tribute. The rules for this are uncertain, but at the mayor’s dispassionate urging, it is allowed. Gale takes Prim back to her mother. In reverence for her actions, the crowd honors her with silence and a gesture of sympathy.We learn that Katniss and Prim’s mother has not been the same since their father’s death.Peeta Mellark is selected as the male tribute. His brothers do not volunteer to take his spot. We learn of the back story of how Katniss and Peeta know each other. • What is the protocol for volunteering? Why is it different in District 12? • What does silence at the reaping mean? (p.24). • What does the three middle fingers to the mouth and then held out mean? • Who is the male tribute and how does Katniss know him? What is ironic about his selection? • What is Katniss’s mother’s mental state? How has it affected Katniss? • What was the significance of the dandelion?

4. Hunger Games - Chapter 3 Chapter 3 (p.34-47) • Katniss is led to the Justice building at the start of chapter three and is given the opportunity to say her final goodbyes to her family. We learn in this goodbye that her mother had abandoned Prim and her at one point and that at age 11, Katniss has become head of the household. Katniss also spends a brief amount of time with Peeta’s father and Gale (who gives her cookies), both of whom pledge to look after Prim. Madge gives Katniss a pin symbolizing District 12, a mockingjay bird.Katniss and Peeta are then taken by car to the trains station where they are greeted by reporters. After time to clean up, in what to Katniss is luxury, she has dinner with Peeta and Effie Trinket. She then learns of the other tributes and Haymitch’s role at the Hunger Games. • What happens after the anthem? • What instructions does Katniss give her family? • What type of competitors will she face? • Gale states to Katniss that the Hunger Games are “just hunting.” What does he mean and does Katniss agree? Do you agree? • Why is Katniss so concerned about her appearance, first on stage and then in front of reporters? • Where is the Capitol located? District 12? • What is a mockingjay bird? Why does it illicit memories of Katniss’ father? • Describe Effie’s reactions to Katniss and Peeta’s table manners? • How are District 12’s actions at the reaping described by the TV commentators? • What role will Haymitch play at the Hunger Games?

5. Hunger Games - Chapter 4 Chapter 4 (p. 48-60) • Peeta and Katniss help Haymitch back to his room and Peeta sends Katniss away to take care of Haymitch himself. This, coupled with his actions at breakfast and when entering the Capitol, lead Katniss to perceive him as a threat. At breakfast, a deal is made with Haymitch to help them in exchange for not interfering with his drinking. We learn that Katniss has skill at throwing knives. • Why does Katniss perceive Peeta’s kindness as a threat? • Why did Katniss put up a “wall” between her and her mother? (p. 53). • Why does Katniss detest Haymitch? • What deal does Haymitch make with the tributes? • What are Haymitch’s first words of advice?

6. Hunger Games - Chapter 5 Chapter 5 (p. 61-72) • The stylists of the “Remake Center” change the image of the tributes, incorporating an “on fire” theme instead of the traditional baggy, unflattering coal miners’ costume of District 12. Their costumes bring attention to them and a positive response from the crowd. Cameras focus on Peeta and Katniss throughout President Snow’s speech in the stadium. Katniss and Peeta hold hands for the entire ceremony, but Katniss wonders what Peeta’s real motives are for his kindness. • How does Katniss describe the Capitol accent? In the “real world,” what do we think of people that talk like that? • What happened to Katniss at the “Remake Center?” Consider the meaning/”real world” connections of the following quotes: • “You almost look like a human being now.” (p. 62)."Katniss describes stylists as “Died, stenciled, surgically altered.” (p. 63). • Why do new comers like Cinna get assigned District 12? • Compare and contrast the Hunter/Gatherer lifestyle of Katniss in District 12 to Capitol life. • Describe tradition District 12 costumes and how this year is different? • How does the crowd react to the tributes? • Describe the interaction between Peeta and Katniss.

7. Hunger Games - Chapter 6 Chapter 6 (p. 73-85) • Chapter 6 finds the tributes at a luxury tower at the training center where all of their needs are met. They have dinner with Effie, Haymitch and the stylists and watch a recap of the opening ceremony. Peeta and Katniss have a conversation on the roof where that can’t be heard. Katniss considers the Avox, a red head girl she once saw fleeing from a hovercraft with her brother. She is troubled by this. • Why is Effie Trinket still with Peeta and Katniss? • How does Katniss feel about Effie’s description of the “barbarism of your district?” (p. 74). • Describe Katniss’ quarters. • What is an Avox? What penalty is levied on them? • What does Haymitch think of Peeta and Katniss hand holding? • How is Katniss in Peeta’s debt again? • How did Katniss know the avox? Compare and contrast the incident with the read head girl with the Hunger Games.

8. Hunger Games - Chapter 7 Chapter 7 (p. 86-102) • Peeta and Katniss continue what she calls a “twins act,” leading to frustration and confusion. The tributes from District 12 meet the others for the first time and Katniss assesses them. She feels physically in better shape than many of the others from poor districts, but does not feel she could match up with the “Career Tributes.” Haymitch continues to advise Peeta and Katniss as they train together at various training stations and then privately before the Gamemakers. Katniss demonstrates her prowess with a bow in front of the Gamemakers, definitely catching their attention by shooting the apple out of the pig’s mouth on their dinner table. Only one other tribute is specifically identified, Rue, a small 12 year old girl from District 11. • What does Katniss think of the “twins act?” (p. 87-88). • Why would meeting the other tributes make Katniss queasy? • What is Peeta’s assessment of Katniss’ skill with a bow? How does Katniss react? • What do you think Peeta means by “She has no idea. The effect she can have.” (p. 91). • What advice does Haymitch share with Katniss and Peeta? • What does Haymitch demand of the District 12 Tributes in public? • What is Katniss’ initial assessment of how she stands verstus the other tributes? • What skills do they learn in training? • Who are the Gamemakers? How did Katniss’ private session go? • Who is their “shadow?”

9. Hunger Games - Chapter 8 Chapter 8 (p. 103-113) • The chapter begins with Katniss secluding herself in her room, crying and fretting about what her actions will mean for her family. Finally, at dinner, when she tells the others of her actions, the stylists, Haymitch, Peeta and Effie are shocked. Peeta too felt he had been ignored by the Gamemakers. Katniss and Peeta find out their scores on television and everyone is shocked by Katniss’ score. Haymitch announces a change in strategy regarding Peeta and Katniss. • What does Katniss believe will be the consequences of her actions at the private audition with the Gamemakers? • What is the significance of the score given to each tribute? What is Peeta and Katniss’ score? • How did Katniss meet Gale? How did the become a team? • What role does Gale serve for Katniss? How does that compare/contrast with Peeta? • What change in plans does Haymitch announce to Katniss?

10. Hunger Games - Chapter 9 Chapter 9 (p. 114-130) • Katniss is prepared for her television interview by Effie, Haymitch and Cinna. The strategy for Katniss is essentially to be her self and we sense the respect Katniss has for Cinna. After a tantrum in her room, the red headed avox girl comes to clean the mess and we sense an understanding between the two of them of the traumatic event from their past.Katniss’ interview goes well and she answers the questions honestly, captivating the crowd while wearing a fire themed dress. During his interview, Peeta finally lets his feeling for Katniss be known. • Describe Katniss’ conflicted emotions about Peeta? • What is Effie working with Katniss on? Haymitch? • What is the point of the interview? Why is Katniss having so much trouble with it? • What understanding does Katniss reach with the read head avox? (p. 118-119). • What is Katniss’ costume for the interview? • How are age and appearance norms different in the Capitol? • How does Katniss’ interview go? • What bombshell does Peeta drop in his interview?

11. Hunger Games - Chapter 10 Part II – “The Games”Chapter 10 (p. 133-147) • Katniss is upset with Peeta for his comments and keeps her distance until they return to the training center, where she pushes him into a clay urn and he cuts his hands. Her team says the performance of Peeta was great and that it portrayed them as “star crossed lovers” which will help them to secure more sponsors.Neither can sleep the night before the Hunger Games. On the roof of the training center, the two meet and Peeta expresses his need to be true to himself while still putting up a fight. Katniss for the first time expresses the confidence that she can survive the games, but she too understands the effect the Games can have on Tributes, citing the example of Titus from District 6 the previous year. • What effect has Peeta’s comments had on the crowd? • How did the plan develop? What is Haymitch’s perspective? • What is the condition of Peeta’s hands? • Why do the games start at 10 am? • What is Haymitch’s final arena advice? • Why is it important to Peeta that he “dies himself?” What is meant boy “Purity of self?” (p. 141-142). • Who is Titus? How did cannibalism play with the audience of the Capitol? (p. 143). • What happened to the arenas after the Games?

12. Hunger Games - Chapter 11 Chapter 11 (p. 148-160) • After dressing at the arena and being sent off by Cinna, Katniss rises from the catacombs to the arena where she has 60 seconds to survey the scene of the Cornucopia, looking for weapons and supplies, before a gong sounds starting the games. Chaos ensues, and Katniss narrowly escapes death and makes it to the woods to camp for the night. Katniss is shocked to learn that Peeta has joined in an alliance of Career Tributes that are hunting down the lesser tributes. The dead are broadcast to the living via a projected slide show, but how they died is not disclosed. • What is the Cornucopia? • What does Katniss see in the Cornucopia that she feels was meant for her? • Describe the opening moments of the Games. • How many died the first day and how many are left? • What woke Katniss up the first night? What happened to the tribute responsible for waking up Katniss?

13. Hunger Games - Chapter 12 Chapter 12 (p. 161-171) • Peeta finishes off the tribute hunted down by the Career Tributes. Katniss learns their true intention for keeping Peeta around. Katniss understands that maintaining a confident image is important and attempts to send a knowing message to the viewers of the Hunger Games. Katniss finds a water source and plans to make camp there before she notices fires in the distance. • What is Peeta’s physical condition? Describe Katniss’ feelings about him at this moment? • Why has Peeta been kept alive by the Career Tributes? • Why/how is Katniss playing the cameras? • What thought angers Katniss (p. 167)? • Where does Katniss find water? • How does the chapter conclude?

14. Hunger Games - Chapter 13 Chapter 13 (p. 172-184) • Fire sends Katniss in a panic away from the pond, chasing the animals who are fleeing, The smoke has made her sick, but she is driven from her resting spot by fireballs that eventually injure her calf.While nursing her injuries at a stream, the Career Tributes close in on her and she flees, taking cover by climbing a high tree where they, at least momentarily, can not get to her. Katniss surprisingly taunts them; however, she is not alone in the tree. • Whom does Katniss believe to have started the fire? • What is the new twist of the game? • What is ironic about Katniss’ injury? • What is the state of Katniss’ gear? • What does Katniss realize from the top of the tree? What surprising thing does she do? • Describe the night’s encounter with the Career Tributes. • Who is in the tree with her?

15. Hunger Games - Chapter 14 Chapter 14 (p. 185-194) • Rue points out a wasp nest containing deadly “tracker jackers.” Using the anthem as cover, Katniss saws the branch, completing the cut in the morning as the Career Tributes sleep, sending them fleeing, killing two. She gives Rue the heads up before doing so. Katniss is stung three times and black outs as a result of the venom, but not before having her life saved by Peeta. • What is different about the wasps found at the Hunger Games? • What was the first gift from Katniss’ sponsors by way of Haymitch? • How does Katniss disperse the Career Tributes? What was the result? What item does she acquire? • What is happening to Katniss? What does she realize before she blacks out?

16. Hunger Games - Chapter 15 Chapter 15 (p. 195-207) • Katniss awakes from her venom induced dehydrated and unaware of how much time has passed. Katniss forges an alliance with Rue and learns about life in District 11. Having acquired the bow and arrows, Katniss has a new perspective on the Games. Peeta has left the Career Tributes. Katniss plans an offensive against the Career Tributes. • What state is Katniss in when the poison works the way out of her system? • How do the weapons give Katniss an entirely new perspective on the Games? • What is the new alliance? Why does Katniss want to form this alliance? • Why are citizens not allowed to eat crops in District 11? • Why does Katniss think her conversation with Rue will be blocked? • How many nights did Katniss miss? How many Tributes are left? • What has happened to Peeta? • What do you suppose Katniss’ plan is?

17. Hunger Games - Chapter 16 Chapter 16 (p. 208-221) • Katniss and Rue go on the offensive. Rue sets first to lure the Career Tributes into the woods while Katniss attempts to destroy the Career Tributes’ supplies. She learns from the Career Tributes that Peeta is injured and observes “Foxface” stealing a small amount of supplies. The chapter concludes with Katniss destroying the supplies • What is the level of trust between Katniss and Rue? • Why is food such an important key? What advantage does Katniss and Rue have? • What has happened to Peeta? • What has “Foxface” done? What did she avoid? • How does Katniss destroy the supplies?

18. Hunger Games - Chapter 17 Chapter 17 (p. 222-232) • Katniss is injured by the explosion and lost hearing in the left ear; however, all of the supplies are destroyed. Unable to flee due to her injuries from the blast, Katniss hides from the Career Tributes in a bush where she watch Cato kill the District 3 boy.Katniss heads the next day to the meeting spot with Rue, but she’s not there, and Katniss goes looking for her. Rue is used in a trap to lure Katniss before being speared. • What are the effects of the explosion? • What happened to the boy from District 3? How many Tributes are left? • Why doesn’t Katniss want to make an ally of “Foxface?” • What has happened to Rue?

19. Hunger Games - Chapter 18 Chapter 18 (p. 233-244) • Katniss records her first direct kill of a tribute, killing the boy from District 1 that speared Rue. Katniss sings to Rue as she dies of her injuries. Katniss acknowledges the difference of killing humans; however, keeping her promise to Rue has become extremely important to her and she will do whatever it takes to win. A rule change is about to change the game in a radical way. • What has happed to Rue? • Whom does Katniss place blame for Rue’s death? Dues it surprise you that it is not the boy from District 1? • Why does Katniss decorate Rue’s body with wild flowers? • Has Katniss’ opinion of killing changed? • Where has the sponsor’s gift come from? Why? • What does Katniss realize about her “first kill?” (p. 243). • What new rule is announced to the Tributes?

20. Hunger Games - Chapter 19 Part III – “The Victor” • Katniss ponders the true meaning of Peeta’s actions and surveys the field of six remaining in the games: Peeta, “Foxface,” Thresh, and Cato and the girl from District II. Katniss goes in search of Peeta and finds him camouflaged near the stream. She does her best to nurse his wounds and develops and understanding that playing up the “romance” between the “star-crossed lovers” is the best way to secure more sponsors. • What does Katniss perceive as the consequences of not allying with Peeta? • What does Katniss realize about Peeta’s actions so far in the Games? • Who are the only others to benefit from the Games’ rule change? • What are Peeta’s injuries? How has he kept alive? • What “first” does Katniss have? • What message is Haymitch trying to send via the sponsors’ gift of broth?

21. Hunger Games - Chapter 20 Chapter 20 (p. 262-278) • Peeta’s leg is badly infected and he has a fever. Katniss continues to nurse the wounds the best she can and get him to drink and eat. At his prompting, she tells the story of how she got Prim her goat, changing the story slightly to protect the people of District 12 as the story is being broadcasted to the whole nation.Claudius Templesmith announces a feast with an added incentive to lure the Tributes to it. Peeta urges Katniss not to go, but a gift from the sponsors allows Katniss to knock out Peeta and presumably make her way to the feast. • What is the status of Peeta’s leg wound? • Why does Katniss change the story of how she acquired Prim’s goat? • How can a goat change your life in District 12? • What was Claudius Templesmith’s message? What is there in addition to the feast to facilitate the Tributes’ attendance? • What is in the newest parachute? What is Peeta’s reaction when he realizes what it is?

22. Hunger Games - Chapter 21 Chapter 21 (p. 278-289) • Katniss makes her way to the Cornucopia, expecting a bloody fight. “Foxface” is the first to acquire her district’s backpack. Katniss goes second, but is taken down by Clove who taunts her and promises to provide a slow painful death for Katniss for the viewers; however, Thresh comes to her rescue and kills Clove before fleeing with both his and Distict 2’s bag. Cato rushes to help Clove, but it’s to late. Katniss races back to Peeta and injects him with the medicine contained in District 12’s small backpack. Katniss is bleeding profusely from her injury at the hands of Clove. • What is Katniss’ prediction as she readies herself? • How are the Gamemakers affecting the games? • What does a feast in the Games mean for District 12? • What are Katniss’ thoughts on Gale? • What is on the table at the Cornucopia? Who is first to the table? • Who saves Katniss from Clove? Why? • What was in the District 12 backpack?

23. Hunger Games - Chapter 22 Chapter 22 (p. 290-302) • Peeta and Katniss recover from their wounds in the cave as a severe thunder storm rages, trapping them in the cave and preventing them from hunting. Katniss tells Peeta of the happening at the feast and Peeta describes Thresh’s hiding place. The two have a deep conversation about the origins of Peeta’s feelings for Katniss and she realizes that she has true feelings for him. She also realizes that their feelings will illicit generosity from their sponsors. • What is the physical condition of Peeta and Katniss? • Why have the Gamemakers sent the thunderstorm? • What is Katniss’ opinion of Thresh? • Why does Katniss say in a moment of weakness? • Where is Thresh? • What does Katniss realize about Peeta, both pragmatically and emotionally? • What are the origins of Peeta’s crush on Katniss? • What was the tangible benefit of their conversation in the cave?

24. Hunger Games - Chapter 23 Chapter 23 (p. 303-319) • The rain stops and Peeta and Katniss go out in search of food, but not before a few jokes at the expense of Haymitch for the viewers. However, Katniss ponders Haymitch and wonders what her life maybe like if she wins the Games.The two of them hunting together has an unforeseen consequence. Another Tribute has died, leaving only three remaining. • Initially, why do Katniss and Peeta ration the food from the sponsors? • What is Haymitch going through in the control room? • How do they suppose Haymitch won the Games? • What could be the roots of Haymitch’s drinking? What does this mean for Katniss? • Which Tribute has died during the thunderstorm? • What thoughts does Katniss have of the future? • What unforeseen problems does the partnership of Katniss and Peeta present? • Who died at the conclusion of the chapter? Whom does Katniss think killed the Tribute?

25. Hunger Games - Chapter 24 Chapter 24 (p.320-330) • Peeta is shocked to learn he had a hand in killing “Foxface.” After a night back in the cave and a meal, Peeta and Katniss learn the game has changed again and they are being forced to a final meeting with Cato at the lake. However, the Gamemakers seem to have yet another surprise waiting for the three remaining Tributes. • How did “Foxface” die? • What does Katniss think of Cato’s state of mind? How does she have a better understanding of him than she thought? • How have the Gamemakers changed the game? Why? • What is Cato wearing? Why is he running?

26. Hunger Games - Chapter 25 Chapter 25 (p. 331-343) • The final tributes are chased to the top of the Cornucopia by a pack of wild wolf mutations signifying the dead tributes. The final confrontation with Cato takes place on the top of the Cornucopia as they fight of the wild dogs. Katniss sends Cato into the dogs with an arrow and ends his suffering by the dogs with an arrow to the head.The dogs disappear. Another rule change rocks the game as the game continues with only Peeta and Katniss left. Who will win? Who will lose? • What is chasing after the final three tributes? • What about the dogs makes Katniss especially uneasy? • What does Cato say to Katniss that gives her pause? • How is Cato knocked off the Cornucopia? • Why is Cato kept alive by the dogs? How does he die? How does Katniss feel about this • Why do the games not end immediately after Cato’s death? • What is Katniss’ plan? What happens next? Why do you suppose the games end this way?

27. Hunger Games - Chapter 26 Chapter 26 (p. 346-356). • Peeta and Katniss are taken by hovercraft back to the Capitol and nursed back to health. The danger is not over for Peeta and Katniss. • What does Katniss realize as she watches the doctors operate on Peeta? • Why is everyone keeping their distance from Katniss? • Where is Katniss taken when they enter the training center? • Why is their a delay between the games and the presentation of the victor? • Who is missing from the team reunion? Why? • How does Katniss react to the prep team? • What did the Gamemakers want to do to Katniss? What was the compromise? • How has Cinna presented Katniss? • What new dangers face Katniss in the Capitol? • What is the significance of the following statement: “But the Hunger Games are their weapon and you are not supposed to be able to defeat it.” (p. 358).

28. Hunger Games - Chapter 27 Chapter 27 (p. 360-374) • This is the final chapter of Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss have their final interviews before heading back to District 12 and confronting the reality of their relationship. • What was the reason behind Cinna’s choice of dress for Katniss? • Describe the reunion of Peeta and Katniss. • Who will watch the highlights show? • What power does the people selecting the highlights possess? • What was omitted from the highlights? • What is Katniss’ best “survival” moment of the night? • Who is the instigator to be punished? Why? • What has happened to Peeta’s leg? • What is the significance of the berries moment? • When will Peeta and Katniss see Cinna and Portia again? • On the train, what is the significance of Katniss washing off the makeup and changing her hair and clothes? • What do the pink and white flowers given by Peeta remind Katniss of? • What does Peeta realize about Katniss’ actions during the Hunger Games? (p. 372-374).