Haymitch also mentions having cake every year at new years meanwhile Katniss remembers the only treat she's had in her life as an orange her father brought home ONCE

Unfortunately, due to the rise of people rereading the books ahead of the Sunrise on the Reaping movie, there has been an uptake in people confidently saying things like Katniss getting married or having children is a "bad ending," out of character, doesn't make sense, or that Peeta pressured her. In my opinion, these are some of the most baffling, surface-level takes in the fandom.

So, I’m making this post to address them and set the record straight.

A lot of people who argue that marriage and children are out of character for Katniss severely take their evidence out of context.

Let’s look at the two biggest pieces of evidence I see people use as justification.

Quote 1

"I don't know how to respond. The idea is so preposterous. 'If we didn't have so many kids,' he adds quickly. They're not our kids, of course. But they might as well be. Gale's two little brothers and a sister. Prim... 'I never want to have kids,' I say. 'I might. If I didn't live here,' says Gale. 'But you do,' I say, irritated."

Quote 2

"I know I'll never marry, never risk bringing a child into the world. Because if there's one thing being a victor doesn't guarantee, it's our children's safety. My kids' names would go right into the reaping balls with everyone else's. And I swear I'll never let that happen."

People take these quotes completely out of context. Katniss doesn’t dislike children; she lives in a society where having a child means bringing them into a world where they could end up as sheep for slaughter.

Realistically, if I were in her position, I would have the exact thoughts like who in the right mind actually would want to bring children into this reality like no thank you

Adding on here Katniss is living in extreme poverty, feeding her sister and mother, and constantly worrying about the Hunger Games. Having a child would mean entering their name into the tesserae system more times, increasing their chances of being reaped and leading them as Lamb’s dfor slaughter

Plus she is 16 years old in the first book! Plenty of teenagers do not want children at that age that is entirely normal. People can and do change their minds as they grow up. I used to hate taking naps as a kid; now I wish I had time for them. Priorities and perspectives shift over a time especially when you go from a traumatized 16-year-old to an adult in her 30s or 40s

It’s not like a bunch of things happened that changed her life drastically over the course of that period of time

Another layer to this that I think people overlook is the fact that Katniss was forced to become a parent, but when she is saying these things, she did not have the choice of being a parent that was something that was for forced onto to her

Katniss had to become a parent to Prim and her mother after her father died in the mines. To a her as a child and as a person who had to be a parent when she did not choose to be one, parenthood meant hunger, starvation, life altering responsibility, and grief. She had zero positive associations with it so obviously yes, she would not want that under those circumstances

“She never wanted to marry”

Just like with children, her aversion to marriage was entirely rooted in the Panem regime. Marriage and romantic entanglements in Districts under the Capitol's thumb were giant liabilities. It gave the Capitol leverage over you, put targets on your loved ones' backs, and subjected your potential children to the reaping.

Not even mentioning that as a victor, her children would be more likely to be reaped into the games than anyone else, especially given that her games were a big upset she made a splash the amount of media attention from her child being in the games with something that the capital would never not pounce on

The Epilogue Ending Makes Sense

At the end of the series, the entire context of why she refused marriage and children is completely eradicated. The Games are gone, Snow is dead, and the Capitol can no longer control her. She has safety, food, and security.

More importantly, Peeta brings her safety, support, and comfort, things that are essential for wanting to build a family.

By the end of the series, she finally has a safe space and a support system where she can feel comfortable having children

It is ridiculous to act as though Peeta pressured her into having kids. That is entirely out of character for him; he has always been deeply considerate of her, her boundaries, and her feelings.

Think about the timeline: it took 10 to 15 years for Katniss to feel comfortable having children. If Peeta had desperately wanted kids without any regard for what Katniss wanted, he would have pressured her much earlier.

Instead, he waited over a decade to make sure she was truly ready. That fact alone completely debunks the pressure narrative.

Do people forget that Katniss explicitly states she felt immense joy when she held her daughter in her arms?She isn't wallowing in depression about being a mother or a wife she is genuinely happy.

While I completely understand the fatigue surrounding the trope where a female protagonist's arc is wrapped up simply by having babies, that is not what happens here.

Katniss's choice to have a family is earned because she fought for a world safe enough to finally allow her to do so.

(These designs is how I imagined them while reading the books, they are not meant to look like the movie actors )

Fave little duo of being the forgotten ones

I wonder who it’s going to be? Maybe some real surprises alongside the expected surprise guests?

This makes so much sense in my head.

I don't like this idea of everything and everyone being connected in THG verse because it would mean the normal people and NPCs just suffered because one man had beef with a woman and her bloodline. It changes the whole storyline thematically. Maybe this will get me downvoted but I just can't get on with this fact that Maysilee is Lucy Gray's granddaughter.

When I was 4/5 ? My father kind of walked out on us . Me , my autistic sister and my mom . My mom struggled with mental health so much that she checked out on us both , became physically immobile for months on end leaving me to nurse her and take care of my sister . Most of the time she was too lost in her headspace to hear me begging for anything . It never stopped .

My grandparents decency was the only thing that kept us from fed ,clothed and in school . That didn't come without the taunts or the verbal lashings either and all through it I had to grit my teeth and be the responsible child .

Once in a while she broke out of it for 3-4 months and became a parent ( cooked for us , taught me stuff , knitted, gardened ) and every time she made such progress I would be happy and scared because I knew it was short lived happiness .

She passed away when I was 12 and our last conversation was me yelling at her and refusing even a look at her. I have lived in resentment for years , of her weaknesses and abandonment of us .

It took me years and even today I can't say I have forgiven her but I do see it now , I was punishing her for something that she did not get to control . A woman who had to be force fed so she wouldn't starve to death .

I refused to let myself think of her hugs , her handmade socks or food because it would make me realise she did in fact love us because sometimes things happen to people and they are not equipped to deal with them .

When I first read these books above everything that was the thing that stood out to me , that made me sob because I saw someone who loved her mother and resented her at the same time . Who was always just waiting for that newfound hope to break , for the ugliness of people to come out . You become attuned to expecting the worst if that's all you are dealt with .

Asterid and Katniss are such a good representation of what it means to live with someone who you know failed you , and yet more painfully you understand them . To see the person who you love and hate every time you look into the mirror .

It made me introspect so hard that I started to look for my mom's old pictures , wear her jewelry and let myself grieve her , the mother I so dearly loved and not the woman she became . I forgave her not only for her gone self for me too . So I see her and me more than an empty space of feelings .To feel joy on mother's day and not bear it . To make that stupid card for her even if I am too old for these things and most importantly not abandon us both once again .

Didn’t think it was fair that Haymitch never got to have that cake, as it sounded very good. (And better than the fondant monstrosity the Capitol wanted to give him, tbh). So I made it for my own birthday and enjoyed every bite. It was amazing.

Don’t worry, Willamae. Someone got to enjoy your cake for their birthday after all. I’m sorry it wasn’t your son.

Recipe here: https://thesouthernladycooks.com/apple-stack-cake/ (be warned, you’ll have to increase the recipe if you want more layers, I used the amount listed and only got three.)

Pair with maple or vanilla ice cream if you want it à la mode but it’s also fine on its own.

[didn’t realize I was only allowed to post original content on Sundays so my first post from yesterday was removed]

This isn’t a fan fiction— I’m not going to continue this storyline here or anywhere else, but I just had an idea and thought I would take a crack at writing it. I typically write middle grade fantasy so it was a fun change of pace 😂

I was thinking about what Katniss says in the first book, about the Careers and how they are always training and volunteering for the games. I thought “surely they don’t just wait until a name gets drawn and then it’s whoever screams “I VOLUNTEER” first. That would be so chaotic and hard to control. They’ve got to pick the tributes early.”

So that’s what this short story is based off of. I hope you enjoy!

Hi yall! Here’s a collection of playlists I’ve made that fit more in the genre of music people in District 12 would listen to than other themed playlists I’ve found

Lore accurate Haydove: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/00bJkTYTwMKM21QHjCnoC0 This playlist is from both Haymitch and Lenore Dove’s perspectives and I’m honestly really happy with some of the songs I found and how they fit into little things they said throughout the book. I’m still on the hunt for more songs to add so there will be updates!

Louella/ Lou Lou: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7rXWUdNOpqCrUwCIl3xHHf This is a short playlist since the subject matter is really niche lol but i’ll be adding to it as i find new songs (the song Oak Tree in this playlist is SOOOOO Rue it’s crazy but my Rue playlist only has two songs right now so i’m using it for Lou Lou and Haymitch instead)

Covey Core: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZtaPgdy6CU7qxKjmi8tY7 I’ve shared this one before but I’ve added a lot more songs including ones from SOTR- All songs up till Ola Belle Reed are songs either specifically sung in the books or mentioned to be sung by the Covey, then it’s just general folk songs I think they’d sing

hope you guys enjoy and lmk what yall think!!

For anyone who uses Twitter, just a heads up: people are posting shots from the SOTR film and not tagging spoilers. Just saw a pic from the epilogue and I’m so so sad about it.

Be careful over the next few days!!!

I recently did a reread of SOTR and of course had to watch all the movies to prepare for the new movie and thought it would be interesting to see if I could spot any intentional, unintentional or just other connections between SOTR and the movies with all the new knowledge the genius Aunty Suzy (yeah I call her that cause this awesome woman raised me with her books - we love you Suzanne!!!!! <3 <3 ) has introduced in the new book. Some of them were obvious, but some I saw in a new light after SOTR. Feel free to add more or agree/disagree in the comments! <3 Of course some of them are possible interpretations and/or speculation.

Caution: Book and movie spoilers ahead. Also, these are notes, I wrote down, so I might paraprase some of the quotes.

The Hunger Games

- Before Katniss is sent into the arena, the last time Haymitch sees her, he tells her to not chase the bow and arrows in the arena, run from the bloodbath + water is your new best friend. Reminded me of Wiress arena song. First avoid the slaughter, find shelter, get water etc. Also he tells her to not to step off the pod before the time is up. Don't remember if Wiress also told him this, but I remember clearly someone gave him this piece of advice before he went into the arena.

- In the gamemakers room before they decide to start the forest fire to get Katniss closer to the other tributes, one of them comments something along the lines of "She is 2 kilometers from the edge" (of the arena). 99 percent sure this wasn't in the book, but coincedentally I just thought this line was interesting considering how much trouble Haymitch finding the edge of the arena caused.

- In the train, when they are all talking about sponsorship, I caught Haymitch commenting something along of "odds are", when talking about sponsorships for Peeta and Katniss I think. Reminded me of Wyatt the oddsmaker and how he possibly influenced Hay.

- Haymitch sending a card of "You call that a kiss?" to Katniss when sending soup. First time I saw it, it was just a funny, ironic comment. This time after SOTR, it hit different knowing Haymitch, being madly in love with Lenore Dove, knows ALL about love. In Haymitch style, it was of course still ironic with a hint of truth. Also obvious, but Haymitch callings Katniss sweetheart because she reminds him of Louella.

- In the cave, Peeta mentions the first time he saw Katniss and comments how she had two braids in stead of one at that time. *Inhales dramatically*. *Screams at lungs full capacity* : LOUELLA!!!! Aunty Suzy is a genius for connecting so many dots, we at that time don't necessarily see as important!!!!

- This one was pretty obvious and many has referenced this exact one - but Haymitch has obvious disgust seeing two Capitol kids playing with a sword as if they were in the HG. Also Haymitch being visibly upset, when all the tributes are riding the chariot rides. One thing is of course his trauma because of the accident, but another interpretation could be Haymitch being extra upset because Katniss riding the chariots reminds him extra of Louella this year.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

- When Snow visits Katniss, threatens her and tells her the plan (to convince him and everyone she only acted out of love and loves Peeta), he mentions her (in his POV) "indifference" towards Peeta before showing Katniss the clips of her kissing Gale. Snow of course might not know Katniss descends from Covey lineage, but I just think it's interesting how it kinda relates to Haymitch and Snows convo, where Snow describes Covey girls and basically sees them as being indifferent/dangerous/illoyal to their partners, but also very charming and also seducing. Also I think Aunty Suzy in an interview commented on Snows neverending beef with Covey girls and included Katniss in this and how they always disrupts his plans and him "keeping humankind in check" by doing the HG.

- Obvious one, but the tower in District 11, where Plutarch had a convo with Hay because it wasn't bugged. Haymitch took Peeta and Katniss up to the same tower after the man from District 11 was executed on stage. The book mentions how Katniss felt as if Hay was familiar with this tower if I remember correctly. Also in the tower, Hay hugs a crying Katniss and says "It's gonna be okay, I promise". I don't remember with certainty, but something in me says Mags said this to Haymitch or something like that? Am I remembering wrong?

- Plutarch and Katniss dance at Snows mansion. Plutarch says "Maybe you inspired me to come back". SOTR confirms Plutarch has done Capitol sabotage before and tried to find a Mockingjay forever.

- The Plutarch and Snow scene after the whipping of Gale. Plutarch mentions a 5 second delay in the live streaming. This (in movie universe only) confirms SOTR is not the only time, the Capitol uses delays strategically in their live streams.

- In the same scene, Snow says "Her entire species must be eliminated" (the Victors), then scrolls the stream to a pause of Haymitch negotiating with the Commander. Snow then says "they all pose a threat". Had a pretty obvious meaning before SOTR, but after SOTR, Snow is CLEARLY aware of Hay's past acts and thus because of Katniss and Hay especially is extra aware how dangerous the victors can be. Especially if the other victors begin rebelling too.

- When Snow is doing a speech on the speciality of and praises the Quarter Quells before announcing this years Quells rules, Hay is already visibly upset. Snow kinda takes him back to his own trauma seeing that Hay was the participant of, the winner of, and very traumatized by a quarter quell.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1+ 2

- Surprisingly did not catch anything specific, but Haymitch is of course a lot less in these movies. An obvious one is Haymitch and Effies interaction, when he comments how he likes her better without all the make up and stuff, and she says I like you better sober. At that time it was a romantic subplot. Now we know they have history and could be a callback to them in SOTR.

In relation to the point mentioned above: The following is a spoiler regarding Elle Fanning and Joseph Zada commenting on her Effie portrayal in the upcoming movie: Elle has commented she has done hints of Effie flirting with Haymitch, but then Joseph commented Haymitch is very loyal to his woman in this movie.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

- When Snows greets his classmates, the classmates make fun of Felix Ravinstill for eating with his fingers. I think they even said a word describing the "bestiality" (in their POV) of this act. Brought me back to Maysilee and her direct refusal of eating without cutlery to make the Capitol see, she is a human, so Maysilee clearly had a point.

- Reaper and Lucy Gray painting posters - Reaper collecting all the fallen tributes and putting the Panem Flag on them and then talking directly to the Capitol (direct rebelling). Lucy Gray singing with Snakes.

His actions perfectly set up rebellion, especially with rewarding katniss for her rebellious behaviour before the games (scoring her 11 for shooting the apple).

I can’t recall any reference to it but just can’t get over him genuinely giving Katniss and Peeta every possible opportunity to succeed.

I've watched The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes twice now, once in French at the cinema and again in English, and I swear, every time Tom Blyth is on my screen, I'm blown away by his acting.

His facial expressions are absolutely MASTERFUL. The way he conveys Coriolanus's thoughts, emotions and, most importantly, his complete lack of empathy without even saying a word is just incredible.

One scene that really stands out to me is when Lucy Gray sings about her former boyfriend on television. Everyone watching is moved by her song, some people are practically in tears, but Coriolanus? He's jealous. Not because of the situation itself, but because she's singing about another man. And you can SEE it on his face. The way Tom Blyth conveys that jealousy through the smallest facial expressions is just insane.

I think one of the things that's inevitably missing from the movie is Coriolanus's inner monologue. Having read the book, we know exactly what's going on inside his head, and honestly, his thought process makes him even more disturbing. His possessiveness towards Lucy Gray, the way he rationalises his behaviour and convinces himself that everything he does is justified... Some of those passages are genuinely sickening.

Without access to his thoughts, I think the movie inevitably makes him a little less despicable than he is in the book. But Tom Blyth manages to convey SO MUCH through his acting alone. You can see so much of who Coriolanus really is in his expressions, even when he's trying to hide it.

And I just think that's phenomenal.

I also want to make it clear that this isn't a comparison or criticism of Donald Sutherland's performance. He was absolutely incredible as the older Snow, and I think both actors brought something extraordinary to the character. I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing Ralph Fiennes take on the role as well.

Honestly, the actors who have portrayed Coriolanus Snow are something else.

But Tom Blyth... I don't even know what else to say. I'm completely fangirling over his performance. He's made an already fascinating and deeply disturbing character even more captivating to watch.

I absolutely LOVE hating Coriolanus Snow, and Tom Blyth's performance is a huge part of why he's such a compelling villain.

I could watch him perform those scenes over and over again. What an incredible actor.