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Gustavo Mendez
Professor Janet Cross
English 113B
19, February 2012
The Unexpected Hero
Don’t you love heroes? They’re always running around saving the hopeless girls. In “The
Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, Katniss’s survival methods create her to become the
unexpected hero she is now. She devotedly protected and saved Peeta from nearly dying. Usually
one would think that Peeta would have been the one saving Katniss. The thing with Katniss is
that she possess a skill that most girls don’t usually have, that’s with a bow and arrow. Katniss
and Peeta are both rebels but Katniss shows it more. Katniss shows that she won’t be bossed
around. Despite being a female, Katniss turned out to be a real hero and Peeta wasn’t so great at
much and that shows not to judge or use stereotypes. Katniss faced situations where she knew
she could get hurt but still went on anyways. Katniss is able to hide her emotions and pretend
everything is fine. Peeta never really had faith in himself that he would come out victorious in
the games.
Taking risks is a part of who Katniss is. She puts her life on the line to succeed in
whatever challenges get put in front of her. There are countless examples to support this, one
being when she dropped the bee hive on the careers knowing that she could get stung herself.
She ended up getting stung. Then Katniss heads of to save Petta. “Of course I’m not going. Give
me some credit. Do you think I’m running straight into some free-for-all against Cato and Clove
and Thresh? Don’t be stupid… All right I am going and you can’t stop me!” (Katniss, The
Hunger Games Pg.274) Another example is when Katniss goes out to the feast to grab the small
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orange bag that contains what she is in most need of which is the medicine for Peeta. Katniss
waited in the bushes contemplating when to run and grab the bag. She knew that the other
tributes where hiding around too, so as soon as she saw Fox Face run she did too without
thinking. Clove, who is also a girl chased after Katniss and threw a knife at her cutting her
forehead open just above her eyebrow. This resulted in Katniss nearly being killed by Clove but
that’s what Katniss does she takes risks to try and succeed.
Katniss has the kind of courage a man usually has. The kind of courage many women
lack. A lot of the courageous women in our modern day are single mothers. They try to provide
for themselves and their children. These moms are working two jobs as a mother and a father;
many working multiple jobs dealing with pain and pressure, but what motivates these women are
their children. Some put their life on the line and are willing to do the impossible for their little
ones. For Katniss and these single mothers it’s a different situation but the same courage. An
example of Katniss showing signs of courage and being brave is when she steps up to take
Prim’s place at the reaping. “I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!”(Katniss, The Hunger Games
Pg.22) Katniss looks to protect her family because she is the head of the house. She always goes
out hunting for food and providing for Prim, her mother, and herself. Its only right that she sees
herself as the dad. That’s why Katniss has the courage of a man. Not even Peeta’s brother
volunteered for him but Katniss stood up for her younger sister.
On the other hand, Peeta isn’t very confident about himself. He was more upset and
worried about what was going on instead of looking for a way to survive the games and trying to
have a positive attitude. “Peeta Mellark, on the other hand, has obviously been crying and
interestingly enough does not seem to be trying to cover it up.”(Katniss, The Hunger Games
Pg.40) One would expect the man to accept what is going on and be strong and the girl to cry
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about the situation but not in this case. In the start of the games Peeta joined the group of careers
most likely because he needed protection that he couldn’t provide for himself. Peeta never
believed he could win the games and always hoped that Katniss would win. Peeta is a man and
yet doesn’t show it. He depends on Katniss a lot of the time to protect and feed him. Peeta has
cried in public as Katniss has stated previously. He doesn’t seem to care about trying to win as
much as Katniss because of lack of confidence. Peeta speaks more than he does while Katniss
does more than she speaks and it’s usually the other way where the guy takes control while the
girl thinks of ways to do something.
Katniss wants everyone to see that she is a strong girl. She doesn’t want to be seen weak.
“Prim, let go. I say harshly, because this is upsetting me and I don’t want to cry. When they
televise the replay of the reapings tonight, everyone will make note of my tears, and Ill be
marked as an easy target. A weakling, I will not give anyone that satisfaction. Let go!” (Katniss,
The Hunger Games Pg.23) This scene is when Katniss is going up on stage to take Prim’s place
at the reaping, however Prim is holding on to Katniss and Gale is the one to pull Prim away from
her. This quote shows that Katniss has a strong spirit and won’t be taken likely. Even when times
are tough Katniss shows that she is capable of turning her negatives into positives. She doesn’t
let the rush of the moment overwhelm her and distract her from her plans. This is the kind of way
you expect a man to react, to show courage at a time when things are the worst and Katniss has
displayed that same courage.
Katniss actions cause her to become the hero of the book. She faced her problems with
the courage a man would have. She takes risk and responsibility for Peeta’s life when he was
badly injured. Regardless of being a girl, Katniss proves to be the hero while Peeta was the one
in need of a hero. Peeta never once believed in himself. He was always thinking he was going to
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die while Katniss had faith she would survive to help her family and eventually becomes the
unexpected hero.
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Work Cited
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.