Examples Of Sacrifice In The Hunger Games

Self-sacrifice is "the giving up of one's own interests or wishes in order to help others or to advance a cause" ("Self-Sacrifice"). In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, self-denial is a character trait that is expressed mainly by Peeta, and is in fact a constantly recurring characteristic. Seemingly, Peeta expresses this trait solely to Katniss, another protagonist that is equally important to the novel's plot. Katniss also shares this characteristic, and it is expressed by her desire to protect, provide, and support her younger sister and mother. By putting aside their personal desires, both of these characters are able to express their desire to protect, as well as their loving nature. This demonstrates how true love requires self-sacrifice,

It is initially seen in chapter 2 of the novel. The characteristics are shown in Peeta when he sacrifices his personal safety and emotional state of being in order to feed Katniss. By taking the measures that he'd taken to save Katniss, he risks being punished by his mother. "The boy took one look back to the bakery as if checking that the coast was clear..." (Collins 31). Peeta not only removed himself from the mentality that his needs should come first, but also proves to Katniss that he genuinely cares for her. There are several instances that occur throughout the games that truthfully reveal Peeta's love for Katniss, and ultimately the reason why he is willing to "deny himself" to protect her. This same characteristic is also shown in Katniss upon volunteering in place of Prim. "I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. "I volunteer" I gasp. "I volunteer as tribute!" (Collins 22). Katniss has a very strong sense of protection for her mother and sister, and due to this necessity to protect them, she eagerly volunteers to take Prim's place in the games. Katniss overcomes her fear of what challenges the games may present, ultimately displaying her love and sacrificing nature as demonstrated by her

"Without a victor, the whole thing would blow up in the gamemakers' faces..." (Collins 344). According to Collins, it is absolutely necessary for the games to have a winner, and due to Katniss and Peeta's knowledge of this, they were willing to literally sacrifice themselves. In taking such measures, Katniss and Peeta would have truly become the victors in the everlasting struggle between the people and the capitol. To assure that they would truly emerge victorious against a common enemy, they were willing to sacrifice themselves. This would force the gamemakers to be destroyed (in a sense of ultimate defeat and the people triumphing against the capitol) along with the hunger games. Naturally, this would cause a domino effect. Katniss and Peeta would have risked their lives to possibly assure that the ritual of the games was to be destroyed as well as the harsh treatment that the people received from the capitol. "Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the seventy-forth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen..." (Collins 345). As both of the protagonist were willing to sacrifice themselves, thus, bending the traditional single victor rule, they were able to make history in the games. Although Katniss and Peeta did not defeat the capitol, they were able to turn the original outcome of the games into something that benefitted them both, a rule specifically made for