The Hunger Games- Part One "The Tributes"

Chapters Two through to Four

So Katniss has just heard her baby sisters named called out for the reaping. Primrose Everdeen has been picked as a tribute for the Hunger Games, out of all odds. It takes awhile for Katniss to bounce out of the trance she is in, but when she does, she doesn't have to think about it, she volunteers herself as tribute. Katniss is taken on stage to wait for the name of the boy tribute to be called.

Peeta Mellark is picked for boy tribute, 16 years old. Katniss doesn't particularly like this either. She recognizes Peeta. Peeta is the bakers son, and one night, when Katniss was rummaging through dumpsters in the alley behind all the shops, Peeta sacrificed two loaves of bread so she would get them.  Katniss doesn't want Peeta to be in the games, she doesn't want to have to kill him. But it is what it is and you can't change the rules of the games. No one volunteers for Peeta.

The two tributes are taken into custody and are marched into the Justice Building by a group of Peacekeepers. This is where they will be able to say their final goodbyes to their family before getting on the train that will take them to the Capitol. When Katniss sees her mother and Prim, she promises Prim she will win and orders her mother to stay strong for her sister. She also sees Gale who promises Katniss he will keep her family fed, this means everything to Katniss since she will no longer be able to do it.

After the goodbyes Peeta and Katniss are taken to the train that is bound for the Capitol.

On the train they get to know their mentor, Haymitch. They already know he is a drunk and this worries them because once they are in the arena, Haymitch is their lifeline. He is responsible for signing with sponsors and deciding the best time to send them things in the Games. During meals Peeta and Katniss question him for advice, at first he jokes, but once the two of them take a stand to his foolishness Haymitch realizes he has some fighters this year as tribute. This pleases him. He makes a deal to stay sober enough to help them, only if they don't interfere with his drinking. Katniss and Peeta realize this is the best offer they will get and accept.

As the train approaches the Capitol, Katniss and Peeta are in are at the sight of it. It looks exactly like it does on TV. The lights, the colours, the building, and the people. The people, who are there cheering on their arrival because they can't wait for the entertaining games to begin. This sickens Katniss.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

The novel, The Hunger Games continues to read as dystopian. Each year the Hunger Games are held as punishment for the now demolished District 13's rebellion against the Capitol. Two children between the ages of twelve and eighteen are chosen by lottery to fight each other to the death in an artificially created arena. The Games are televised for everyone in Panem to see. It is sickening to know that this government controlled Game will ultimately lead to the death of twenty-three innocent children. It is even more sickening to know that viewers in the Capitol watch it for entertainment.