Character List and Analysis
Katniss Everdeen
Katniss, the novel's 17-year-old narrator and protagonist, is the victor of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. After her father was killed in a mining accident when she was 11 years old, Katniss began illegally hunting in the woods outside District 12 to feed her mother and younger sister, Prim. Her resolve and genuine personality have made her a beloved celebrity throughout Panem. She has always hated the Capitol and despised the Hunger Games; however, after her victory in the Games, she becomes the mockingjay, a symbol of rebellion and hope for Panem.
Katniss is constantly searching for the right thing to do, whether it is falling in love with Peeta or Gale, or deciding to flee District 12 versus staying and resisting the Capitol's cruel reign. She has always been a hard worker and a fighter. However, since she won the Games, she has proven that she is also a survivor. Katniss, "the girl on fire," refuses to give up easily, even when the odds are stacked against her. Despite her determination to stay true to herself and learn to accept the rebels' cause, she has trouble trusting those around her. She struggles with her true feelings for Peeta and Gale throughout the novel, but knows for certain that she is willing to die so that Peeta can live.