Catching Fire Character Analysis

The series is set in the fictional country of Panem ,"the country that rose up out of the ashes of the place that was once called North America"(Collins, Hunger Games 18). Catching Fire (2009) , the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy and the focus of this research , takes place 75 years after "The Dark Days"(Collins, Hunger Games 18),a failed rebellion attempted by the 13 districts of Panem against the Capitol and its tyrannical rule . As a result of this rebellion , the Hunger Games were created. "The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate"(Collins, Hunger Games 19). Those tributes would fight to the

President Snow is the supreme ruler of Panem , his age is unknown as is how he rose to power . It is also unknown whether he was alive during the first Hunger games and if he had contributed to its construction . President Snow is a sadistic and domineering man who does not hesitate to quell even the tiniest hint of a rebellion . He is not above threatening a 16 year old girl to secure her submission and the continuity of his reign . During his visit to Katniss in Catching Fire (2009) he ,himself, admits that his rule is "fragile"(22), and that any spark of rebellion left unattended "may grow to an inferno that destroys Panem" ( 23), due to the unapologetic savagery of the Capitol , therefore harsh punishment must be dealt swiftly .in order to intimidate the people into submission . He exploits every chance to remind the people of the Districts of their inferiority , like his announcement of the 3rd Quarter Quell to remind the people of Panem that " even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol" (172) Katniss uses very distinctive choice of words to describe Snow such as "snakelike"(17) and compares him to a "fanged viper"