The Hunger Games Theme of Sacrifice

The Hunger Games are just full of sacrifices. Katniss makes a huge personal sacrifice when she takes her sister's place in the Hunger Games. She and Peeta sacrifice themselves for each other at the end of the Games when they pop the berries in their mouth. Katniss and Peeta are willing to die together. Or they would have, if the announcer hadn't stopped them. Sacrifices make a big impact because they remind us that human life means something. In a world of reality entertainment like the Hunger Games, that can be a very powerful thing.

Questions About Sacrifice

  1. Why do the districts have to sacrifice tributes each year? What impact do the Games have on the people of the districts?
  2. Would you have volunteered, like Katniss did? Why or why not?
  3. Why don't you think anyone volunteered to take Peeta's place? He does have siblings, after all.
  4. Why did Katniss and Peeta's suicide attempt work on the Gamemakers?
  5. Why did Peeta brave punishment as a child in order to give Katniss some bread? Why is he willing to put himself in danger with the Career Tributes in order to defend Katniss during the Games?
  6. Why does Katniss pull the berry trick? Why does she risk her life to get the medicine for Peeta? Does she do these things out of love (or friendship) for Peeta, or does she have some other motive?