Mockingjay

  I'm nearly done reading the final book in the Hunger Game series, "Mockingjay," by Suzanne Collins. The book basically sums up the plot of the series into the war following the Quarter Quell. Peeta, now brainwashed, is conflicted between loving or hating Katniss. Katniss, following the certainly painful events that occurred, is an emotional mess who has to stand as sign of hope and strength for the rebelling forces of the secretive district 13- their Mockingjay.
  Katniss, I feel, represents the wear-and-tear of those few individuals who really do need someone to trust. Throughout the whole story, Katniss has been lied to, decieved, and used. For example, going into the games for the second time for the Quarter Quell wasn't actually her participating in an actual Hunger Games. She was really a part of a rebel plot to break out of the arena with the other victors from past Hunger Games and go to district 13 to begin the war effort to overthrow the Capitol. In doing so, Katniss felt extremely distraught over the fact that not only in the process she lost Peeta, she was also unknowingly a part of a plan she probably wanted nothing to do with anyways. The fact that Katniss' situation and physical condition is not even her own fault. She didnt choose to become the symbol of the district rebels- the rebel administartion did.
  In being the Mockingjay, she was subjected to a highly dangerous status in which the Capitol side of the war wanted her dead as soon as possible. She was required to film propoganda commercials, to take part in real combat, and worst of all she had to present herself in a way she wouldv'e found disgraceful if she had a choice. She shouldn't of had to give speeches about killing people who may have been both innocent and perpertrators of the Districts if she had the choice not to. All she wanted to do from the very beginning was to protect her sister and her family and her friends from destructuion. Instead, she was forced to participate in a war she a Peeta had questionable thoughts on anyway. In doing so, her sister was killed in the final raid on the Capitol and Peeta was left a mentally confused and broken person.
  Katniss herself is now living in the remains or her house in Victory Village in District 12. This is following the capture and death of President Snow and her assasination on President Coin, the rebel leader. Her actions were fueled mostly by the affect her Coin's actions on her life and those she cared about the most. Katniss, at the moment, is left with her painful memories of those she loved.