Chapters 10-12

boy- I really got ahead of myself! Sorry girls. Mandy was right about not being able to stop at chapter 12. I hit 12 and just kept going... until 17. >_< But I am stopped there. I was only 2 pages in.

So now going ALLLLLL the way back to 10.... our recap

Chapter 10 - the aftermath of Peeta's love confession; the games don't start til 10 because of the Capitol residents (wonder about the families); Peeta on the roof; Kat's pin
Chapter 11 - Let the games begin! The Cornucopia, (SO MAD about Kat's bow and arrow-kind of angery at her for losing focus); as hard as she tries to dislike Peeta, she obviously has some strong connection to him because she is constantly worried about him the first day. It is OK to work together after all (and let's talk about that SHOCK at the end of the chapter!!)
Chapter 12 - Katniss's burning rage (which I think is misguided-see more below); the way she is always aware and thinking about "are the cameras on me? How do I play this up? How to I get sponsors?"...and of course the cliffhanger that I had to read past: wall of fire (absolutely terrifying. Probably my worst fear next to drowning)

Once again, there is so much to talk about! Chapters 9 and 10 I think really highlight Kat's loss of herself. Really the end of 9 in her interview. She twirls in the dress, she sparkles, she giggles (which she has never done before). Totally not herself. Right after her interview, I thought she had done very well. Conquered her fear of the interview. THEN Peeta's confession and the aftermath really put it into perspective. She really did need that boost from his love confession. Although, in a way I think that her being pretty shallow in her interview may end up being an advantage as well. Not in the way of sponsors, but in the way of the other Tributes. They all just think she's flashy and an attention getter. That she doesn't have much value. Peeta gave her value (as far as sponsorship) by making her (them) interesting.

That is the first part of Kat losing herself in this piece. And then her run in with Peeta on the roof-she is worried about how to survive. Peeta, as she says, is worried about how to maintain his identity. How to maintain his sense of self. I really liked this quote: ""No, when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll kill just like everybody else. I can’t go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games,” says Peeta." (p. 142).

This is the first time that I think he is being 100% honest. I don't think he is attempting to be superior or act superior to Katniss. That seems like her just taking offense. It makes me wonder exactly how he is going to show his rebellion. Earlier I had written that I didn't know if Peeta could handle Kat. But I think that he has a much stronger will than I've given him credit for. I have seen him as weak, just like his mother. He is so focused, though. He was on learning skills. And he has a constant streak for rebellion (or love!), at least when it comes to Kat. This statement from him really shouldn't come as a surprise. It makes me wonder exactly what his strategy will be.

The last part that I felt like Kat was losing her self was the scene when she is getting ready for the games. When Cinna is first giving Katniss her clothes, I wondered where her pin was. The one that he gives to her later. I thought that she had just completely forgotten about it (maybe as a symbol of her starting to lose her identity/ lose herself in Capitol?). It made sense that they had to take the pin and deem if it was acceptable for the games. (I suppose for a game with no rules, at least one rule is you can't start off with a weapon from the outside...only what they supply in the arena).


Moving on to more about Peeta... I am certainly confused about his motives. In his interview, I believed him. Especially after he always seemed to be so kind to Katniss (bread, through the first part of training etc). Did Peeta give her something to eat out of pity because he saw her starving? Or because even then he had a crush on her? Then this part where he had joined up with the Careers:

Someone cries out, “twelve down and eleven to go!” which gets a round of appreciative hoots. (p. 159); my first thought when I read that was: of course! The careers are going to get together and try to get rid of the "easy" ones. It's just like we've been talking about the whole time. Band together. The difference is that we want it to be Peeta and Katniss at the end. And then both refuse to kill. Here the motivation is get to the end; the individual game is easier when there are fewer people around. As far as Peeta... my heart stopped beating when I read that last line. What did you girls think??


Personally, I understand Kat's rage, but I think it is really misplaced. I think that he did shake his head at her to not go for the cornucopia (but boy am I glad she did....I want a sleeping bag like that!). This is the note that I put when she was raging against Peeta at the beginning of chapter 12: "bc he is strong he went in fighting. maybe got her bow? maybe manipulating the careers?"

She even knows that being super strong is his strength. We didn't get to see him in the Cornucopia, but you have to imagine he impressed the Careers with his strength someone. How else would he be alive? It's not like they exactly give you time to please your case or show much mercy. It takes some balls to go into a death brawl like that swinging. I have totally underestimated Peeta. (Those I still have a school girl crush on the woodsy Gale)



Last but not least... As sick as it is... I am almost enjoying the way that Capitol is presenting the events. It is exciting. It's exciting to read about. Wondering if your favorites (the only ones I know are Katniss, Peeta, and Rue) are still alive. The suspense for Kat when the cannons go off, when the names of the dead flash at night. I also like the way the different parts of the game are revealed to us through Katniss. I like the fact that she pretty much knows everything that is going on. The general flow to the games. That she has years of experience that she flashes back to. Things that she remembers past Tributes doing.

Nat: I want to hear all about your plans for survival!