Competition Quotes in Catching Fire

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"Fine. Somebody else can arrange to get the stupid goat knocked up," I say, which makes them laugh more. And I think, this is why they've made it this far, Haymitch and Peeta. Nothing throws them. (11.34)

Sometimes the competition in the arena has seemed like it was about being the best fighter, the cleverest strategist, or the luckiest individual. Here Katniss realizes another important element is rolling with the punches. You never know when that ability will be called upon, and she admires Haymitch and Peeta for it.

Quote #5

[Snow] reads, "On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors." [...]

I am going back into the arena. (12.46, 49)

Talk about the worst news ever. Getting through one Games is bad enough; even if you survive, the trauma you endured would haunt you for the rest of your life. Just when Katniss thinks she's relatively safe (although she's been marked by Snow and the Capitol as a potential threat), she is "going back into the arena." She will have to do it all over again.

Quote #6

"You're going to need more allies this time around. [...] Because you can fight. You're popular with the crowd. That could still make you desirable allies. But only if you let the others know you're willing to team up with them," says Haymitch. (16.21, 25)

The Games are all about strategy. They haven't even started yet and Katniss and Peeta already need to choose their sides. They constantly have to be thinking about how to protect themselves; they never get a moment's rest. Deciding between friend and enemy could make the difference between life and death.