Mockingjay Chapter 21 Quotes

Mockingjay Chapter 21 Quotes

How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)

"Who cares? He's dead, isn't he?" Tears begin to run down Peeta's face. "I didn't know. I've never seen myself like that before. Katniss is right. I'm the monster. I'm the mutt. I'm the one Snow has turned into a weapon!" (21.5)

Imagine what it's like to not even be able to trust yourself; to think you're fighting for one side when you've already been "turned into a weapon" by another. That's the situation Peeta's been placed in. It's hard for him to even know who he is any more, and it's terrible to realize that he's endangered other people on the rebels' side – he's no longer just a person but also a walking weapon.

"You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers.

"Real," I answer. It seems to require more explanation. "Because that's what you and I do. Protect each other." (21.79-80)

No matter what, Katniss and Peeta are a team. They started out as unlikely allies and yet their relationship has evolved into a complex love/friendship arrangement based on keeping each other alive. Despite all the odds and everything working against them, they can't let go of that.

I don't know if it's the pods, or the fear, or watching Boggs die, but I feel the arena all around me. It's as if I've never left, really. Once again I'm battling not only for my own survival but for Peeta's as well. How satisfying, how entertaining it would be for Snow to have me kill him. To have Peeta's death on my conscience for whatever is left of my life. (21.14)

Throughout all the terrible things that Katniss and Peeta have endured, they've worked to protect each other. They've continually put their own lives at risk to save one another. Even now that Peeta's been hijacked it's no different. They've got too great a history together and been through too much together to desert each other now.