Catching Fire

Sophia Abi-Saad

Mr. Beattie

Honors English 1

16 September 12

Catching Fire

Speedily darting from the contaminated fog, we can’t stop or else we will die.  With that frightening thought in our minds we keep running, even though our bodies are deteriorating, as we know it. Before we can comprehend what is happening one character decides that she cannot take it any longer and runs right into the fog.  In the thrilling novel Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Katniss the main character overcomes major obstacles that impede her goal of returning Peeta home.  In this page turner Katniss shows her love for Peeta which made it so much more exhilarating, by adding a twist. The novel Catching Fire should be read by all freshmen because it teaches important lessons of courage, love, and fighting for human rights.

       Catching Fire should be a must read because of the portrayal of great courage, throughout the book,  by the main character, Katniss.  For instance after the Quarter Quell is announced Katniss states,  “At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead. The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.” (Collins 118).  This statement indicates Katniss’s approach to life, that she is not afraid of anything that comes her way.  It also implies that she feels that if she keeps running from her fears she will never get over them and life will be worse.  Another example of courage presented in the novel is when Katniss says,  “Let them go, I tell myself, say good-bye and forget them, I do my best thinking of them one by one, releasing them one by one like birds from the protective cages inside me, locking the doors against their return.”  (Collins 189).  This exemplifies the fact that she has shored up all the power in herself to say good-bye to her loved ones so she could go into the games and concentrate on keeping herself and alive, so as to return to her loved ones who would suffer so much if she were to die.  This also demonstrates that Katniss had fierce love in her heart for her family and friends, but she has to let the worry go for the moment in order to live. Not only does the novel Catching Fire teach of the value of courage, it also teaches of the importance of love and loyalty, which are also important lessons for high school freshmen.

        All freshmen should read this novel for it illustrates the significance of love and loyalty in a meaningful life.  For instance when Peeta states, “If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life. I would never be happy again.  It's different for you. I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard. But there are other people who'd make your life worth living."  Katniss doesn’t respond aloud to this but thinks, “I realize only person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.” (Collins 352).  These statements show the great love that these two characters share, however, Katniss has more people at home that love her, and because of that Peeta feels is is more important to save Katniss’ life rather than his.  True love is when you value someone else’s life more than your own.  Another example of love beween Katniss and Peetas is exemplified when Katniss proclaims,  “I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.” (Collins 245). This demonstrates how much she enjoys spending time with Peeta when they are not worrying about who will die next or how their love will be torn apart. This also shows that she would be happy with a life with just Peeta because he supports her and cherishes her, which is enough to make Katniss’s  life whole. Many important life values are portrayed by characters in the novel Catching Fire, not only courage and love, but also for fighting for your rights; another reason for all freshmen to read this novel.

        The novel Catching Fire should be read by all freshmen because it teaches the importance of fighting for your rights.  For example, when Katniss was talking to Plutarch Heavensbee, the game maker, Katniss thought how she is, “The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that bursts into flames. I am the mocking jay. The one that survived despite the capital’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” (Collins 386-387).  This statement indicates that Katniss represents the rebellion.  The people of Panem admire Katniss for standing up against the government for her beliefs regardless of the trouble it may bring to her life.  It also exemplifies the fact that Katniss outsmarted the capital by saving herself and Peeta and initiating an uprising, unbeknownst to her at the time. When Plutarch Heavenbee said, “While you live, the revolution lives.” (Collins 386), shows that Katniss is the source of all of this commotion, due to her stance against the rules which resulted in both her and Peeta coming out of the hunger games alive. Throughout the novel Katniss is a powerful icon of change and revolution. Her endeavours encourage people to fight for their freedom and a better life.  Fighting for your rights is an important lesson for all ages and another reason for freshmen to read this book.

        All freshmen should read the novel Catching Fire because it teaches lessons about courage, love, and fighting for your rights. In “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins, Katniss the main character displays all of these great qualities.  Katniss’ determination to make a better life for people that she loves makes this an exhilarating and important novel to read.  As consciousness started to slip away, the hovercraft that was to pick up the dead tributes, floated above.  Searching for Peeta to make sure he was alive was the main priority, soon realizing that he was nowhere to be found.