Character List and Analysis
Minor Characters
Katniss' Mother
Although she goes unnamed, Katniss' mother weighs heavily on Katniss' mind. She came from an apothecary family and, for this reason, knows a great deal about medicinal plants and herbs. When people are hurt, they come to Katniss' mother. After her husband died in the mines, Katniss' mother retreated into depression and stopped providing for Katniss and Prim. Katniss doesn't like to accept help from her mother, whom she feels abandoned her and her sister when they needed her most.
Katniss' Father
Katniss' father is unnamed in the novel, but Katniss takes after him more than she does her mother. Her father taught her to hunt and made a bow and arrows for her when she was younger. He worked in the mines and died in an explosion when Katniss was a little girl. He, like Katniss, was able to sing to the birds so beautifully that even they would stop and listen. It was his singing that won Katniss' mother's love.
The Baker
Peeta's father, who goes unnamed, was once in love with Katniss' mother. He points Katniss out to Peeta on their first day of school and visits with Katniss to say goodbye to her before she leaves for the Hunger Games, promising to make sure that Prim gets enough to eat.
The Baker's Wife
When Katniss was young and starving, the baker's wife, Peeta's mother, refused to give her any bread and told her to get away from their trash cans. Later, though, she tells Peeta that Katniss could win because she is a survivor.
Madge
The mayor's privileged daughter wishes Gale and Katniss good luck shortly before the reaping. She gives her gold mockingjay pin to Katniss for luck.
Greasy Sae
The "bony old woman" who sells soup at the Hob. Katniss and Gale want to stay on her good side because she is the only one in the Seam who can be counted on to buy dog for her stews.
Mayor Undersee
Madge's father and the mayor of District 12. He has a soft spot for strawberries and can always be counted on to buy some from Gale and Katniss.
The Avox Girl
In the Capitol, Katniss recognizes this redheaded servant as the girl she and Gale once saw on the run in the woods. This girl, who'd been with a boy, had looked to Katniss for help, and was then taken away by a hovercraft. She has had her tongue cut out for being a traitor, and Katniss feels guilty for not coming to her aid.
Portia
Peeta's stylist.
Venia
A member of Katniss' prep team. She has aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows. She waxes Katniss' hair.
Flavius
A member of Katniss' prep team. He has orange, corkscrew hair and wears purple lipstick.
Octavia
A member of Katniss' prep team. She is a plump woman whose skin has been dyed a pale, pea green.
President Snow
The president of Panem. He is a small, thin man with white hair and gives the official welcome at the opening ceremonies. He also crowns Katniss and Peeta after the Games, and Katniss can tell that he blames her for the stunt with the berries and wants to punish her.
Delly Cartwright
A schoolmate of Peeta and Katniss. Peeta claims that the redheaded Avox girl that Katniss recognizes resembles Delly in order to deflect suspicion from Katniss. Delly, though, doesn't look like the Avox girl at all.
Atala
The head trainer at the Training Center.
Thresh
The boy tribute from District 11 who keeps to himself and lets Katniss go after he learns of Katniss' friendship with Rue. It is fitting, too, that his name is Thresh, which means to separate seeds and grains by beating, since he comes from the agriculture district and chooses to live in the grassy field in the Hunger Games arena.
Caesar Flickerman
The man who has hosted the tribute interviews for more than 40 years and relies upon surgery and makeup to keep himself looking thin and young. Katniss likes Caesar and believes that he does his best to make the tributes look good in front of the audience.
Claudius Templesmith
The legendary announcer for the Hunger Games.
Cato
The boy tribute from District 2 who wants to kill Katniss on his own, in his own way. Katniss believes that, all along, the Hunger Games have been about her facing the very violent and very aggressive Cato.
Clove
The girl tribute from District 2 who is good at throwing knives and who nearly kills Katniss at the feast.
Glimmer
The stunningly beautiful girl tribute from District 1 who has the bow and arrows before Katniss takes them from her dead body.
Foxface
The nickname that Katniss gives to the redheaded girl tribute from District 5. She is sly and knows how to steal supplies from the Careers' camp without setting off booby traps. Katniss doesn't trust her enough to ally with her.
Rooba
The butcher from District 12 who helps Katniss get the goat she wants for Prim.