The life of Katniss Everdeen

I had to share this


          from a student...

The life of Katniss Everdeen

By KaylaShannell, Port Allegany, PA

The author's comments:

 I wrote this for a creative writing class just a few months ago. I usually hate poetry but I am rather proud of this.

"Primrose Evengreen!"

My heart dropped when she called her name,

Instantly I knew life could never be the same.

So I took my chance and took her place.

It hurt to think I'd never again see her face.

But through a hoax he helped me home.

A boy named Peeta, who I must give my heart to call his own.

But the memories from the arena wouldn't leave me alone.

I lost my little friend, a child named Rue,

but took revenge because her killer died too.

When it came time to win, I wasn't alone.

Peeta and my own defiance became well known.

It didn't take long to figure out we were in trouble.

And the consequences for our action would leave us dead in the rubble.

We never would have guessed they'd send us in for round two.

Again we were alone up on the stage,

only this time he nor I tried to hide our rage.

We made up lies to help us through.

I became "pregnant" and married we were.

We became the ones Panem prefered.

But to our surprise others lied too.

I guess it was my doing that made the arena explode.

And it's it's rubble is where I should erode.

Haymitch had it all figured out,

But when I awoke I began to shout.

Peeta was gone, captured, alone.

The ashes of my district still smoked.

And they expected me to sit on a throne.

I'd be their savior, their Princess of Rebellion.

They'd never expect me to act like a hellion.

But with Peeta gone now I just didn't care.

And it wasn't until after they left I became aware.

They were saving him, just for my sake,

They thought the pain of losing him was too much for me to take.

They never could've guessed Peeta's mind would be gone.

And in it's place would be Snow's personal pawn.

I screamed and I cried but willed myself to fight.

Everyone told me it'd be death if I tried.

But I reassured them that I'd be alright.

And within a few weeks I'd won back my pride.

They sent me away from District Thirteen,

And even through battle I was treated like a Queen.

They filmed me and made me the face of the world.

It was my face that made President Snow want to hurl.

It wasn't very long, but to my surprise.

They sent Peeta in with a shipment of supplies.

He wanted me dead, brainwashed by President Snow.

But there was a deep connection, in which the President didn't know.

I got through to him, the way no one else could.

And beside me in battle he stood.

We were out one day with the camera crew.

Filming shots that were long overdue.

When all over a sudden we were under attack.

It was safe to say we were taken aback.

We made up a plan to get away.

But we lost many men on that terrible day.

In the end, with much distraught.

We made it to the place in which we sought.

Standing alone in front of the home of President Snow.

I watched my sister Prim help those hurt from a blow.

But before she got the chance to give them aid.

Another set of bombs came down, exploding, a grenade.

I watched my sister die right then and there,

her body going up in one huge flare.

The anger I felt then burned bright.

But when I got my chance with Snow there was something not right.

Instead of my arrow piercing into his skin,

I knew that I couldn't let neither him or Coin win.

There was something off about Coins actions.

But I misread the crowds reaction.

Instead of living life in a prison cell, I was acquitted,

and to my home in District Twelve I was permitted.

To my delight I wasn't alone.

Haymitch, Peeta and a few other I've known.

Came to live in the ruins of our old home.

Now every night I dream of the dome.

That changed me from the child who hunted for food,

To the young women I am now, so crude.

Married to Peeta, with two children of our own.

Trying to keep them away from the life that we've known.

Life isn't a fairytale for me now that it's done

I still feel the weight of the pain, ten tons.

I still wake up screaming from terrible dreams.

But with Peeta by my side, well we make a great team.

I've tried hard to forget those nights,

spent alone in the arena, for my life I fight.

I dread the day my children find out.

How our past came about.

Take me as I am...

I would just like to share this inspiring message I stumbled upon. It sends a powerful message to embrace the person you are, not the person someone else wants you to be. It is better to walk away than to be someone you are not, and risk being miserable for the rest of your life.

Cindy

Self-Asteem...

It seems there is still some controversy in regard to Bella's behavior and the turn of events in Breaking Dawn. Young women in today's world already have low self-asteem issues. Should they be idolizing books and movies about a clumsy drama queen who has no life outside of her boyfriend. Making such statements like she would die if he were to ever leave her. Not to mention making teen marriage/pregnancy some sort of sick attraction as her unborn child sucks the life out of her.

Cindy

Marriage

Written By: Amanda Freidenberger

 

 

In Breaking Dawn, we see Bella and Edward finally marry. You could say that this is so romantic and that they are soul mates, meant to be together. But if you look at the other books, Edward sort of blackmails Bella into saying yes to his proposal. She did not see the point of marriage. She was turned off by it, I think because of the problems that she witnessed with her parents. Bella wanted Edward to change her into a vampire before she got too much older than him so she wouldn't look older than him. He wanted to wait. He said that she needed to live her life before she lost it. He continued to make up excuses as to why she should wait. He wanted her to go to college first. He even tried leaving her so that she could pursue the things that people should experience and that she couldn't do with him. That plan didn't work because they both almost died without each other, literally. So she said yes and they married. Edward continues to stall the changing process through the honeymoon. But then she figures out that she is pregnant. The baby was tearing her apart and when she gave birth she was dying. Edward had to change her at that moment, before he lost her forever. 

I think in the back of her mind that was her plan all along. She knew that being pregnant with a half-breed would probably kill her. She experienced extreme pain as her bones were breaking, yet she endured. She did what she had to do. I think she wanted the baby even more because it was one thing that Edward said she would miss out on if she became a vampire. She also knew that Edward would not just stand by and watch her die. He would change her to save her life. In the end she got everything that she wanted, on her terms.  

Effie Trinket

The Power Struggle of Effie Trinket.

Written by: Lindsay Brookshier 

 

What impact does Effie Trinket play throughout the The Hunger Games trilogy?

 Effie Trinket is an interesting character. She is the one that leads the Reaping; she is the introduction of the Capitol for Katniss Everdeen. She guides the tributes from District 12 through all the motions The Hunger Games requires. Effie shows them where they're staying, she introduces them to their stylists, she is a guide as they are inducted as tributes. Effie is pleasant to Katniss and Peeta but at first, it's a cold pleasantry. She does not feel for the tributes emotionally- she dehumanizes them in order to continue her job in a guilt free manner. We don't see this dehumanizing start to waver until the second book- Catching Fire. When Katniss and Peeta are chosen to enter the arena a second time for the Quarter Quell; it is apparent that Effie is upset. She has grown attached to them as her winners from District 12. This is one of the first times we see a spark of real human emotion for Effie where she is concerned for someone else's well being rather than herself. As we know, in Mockingjay, Katniss convinces the Rebels to not harm Effie and add her to the list of people she demanded must be protected. She extends that protection to Effie Trinket; surprising the other rebels who would of thought she would be glad to see Effie suffer and die. Katniss surprises everyone again with this act of compassion for Effie; as much as Effie surprises us as she becomes committed in helping the Rebels defeat the Capitol.

Is Effie perpetuating patriarchy?

Just as how there are people in our contemporary society that perpetuate patriarchy; there are characters in the The Hunger Games trilogy that do the same. All the members of the Capitol help enforce this dominated, oppressive government. Effie Trinket is no different in the beginning. She accepts this controlling government and enlists herself in working for it; aiding the capture of the tributes from District 12 to be sentenced to their deaths in the arena. She is enabling murder and torture by these acts. Just as this idea is as dangerous to the world of the Hunger Games; it is equally dangerous to our society. Many people in our society help keep patriarchy a dominant force. At times even women will be the ones perpetuating this strict societal control. If patriarchy is benefiting someone in some way; there will be people to defend it and keep the oppressed controlled. Effie Trinket is a good example of this; her job is her benefit from the oppressive governmental system and at first she helps enable this control so it will benefit her own means.

For further information on patriarchy and what it means click here. 

What can we do?

Just like in The Hunger games; patriarchy is not a force that can be so easily overcome. It is a complex societal institution with many intricate components that make up its' power. In the books we see that Effie's demeanor begins to change and she starts to see Katniss as a human being. This change, this humanization of one of her tributes, comes as she begins to feel real emotion for Katniss. She grows attached to her as a person; one of the first tributes to survive the arena. Perhaps Effie felt relieved at the end of the first book that Katniss would be safe and protected; allowing that veil of dehumanization she used in the beginning to drop free. When the Quarter Quell was revealed in Catching Fire and Katniss had to enter the arena once more; Effie could not help herself but feel emotion for her tribute.

Empathy is one of the biggest forces that can bring about change. Effie did not feel for Katniss personally in the beginning nor did she feel guilt for the likely tortures and horrors that awaited the tributes. It wasn't until Effie began seeing Katniss as a true human being that she became attached and started to sympathize with those that were punished by the Capitol. This empathy is what changes Effie Trinket's character so drastically. This is true of real life; if one in power were to truly emphasize with someone who lacked power, things might become different in our world. That is why literature is such a powerful tool to bring about societal change. Reading is the best way to put yourself in someone else's shoes; there is no better way to understand a group of disadvantaged people than to read first hand what their experiences is like. Even though The Hunger Games is a fantastical society that exists far in the future; it is easy to see many of the same issues happening in our own society.

What do you think of Effie Trinket? Do you think she begins to truly care for Katniss or is this just a superficial act of emotion? Is literature powerful enough to bring about change? Fire away your responses in the comments!

 

Leah: The Lone Female Werewolf of the Pack

Hanging with the boys... 

 

Leah's journey of solitary.

Written by: Lindsay Brookshier 

 

Leah is the first female to have the werewolf gene triggered. What does this mean for her role in the series?

Leah Clearwater is the only female wolf in the Quiellette pack. This surprised everyone when the werewolf gene was triggered for her shortly after the loss of her father. The elders had no idea that this was a possibility for the women in the tribe. 

Leah has experienced a loaded mess of heartache and sadness before her transformation into the wolf pack. If you're an avid Twilight reader: you know the story well. Sam imprints on Emily and leaves Leah behind in the dust. This breaks Leah's heart utterly and completely on many different levels. This was a large burden for Leah to carry as it was. Then when she transformed into a wolf her entire world changed. Her body didn't carry out her normal female functions like it used to, she was stuck in a pack with Sam as the leader, her thoughts were not her own anymore and she struggled with the implications of her transformation.

Why a female werewolf? Why does Stephanie Meyer include Leah in the wolf pack?

  Well, I even pulled out The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide for this post! And I found nada! No clear answers from Stephanie Meyer on Leah's unique presence in the wolf pack. The guide briefly mentions how her family missed all the warning signs of her transformation because they never expected this legend would impact their daughter but other than that I could not find any clear answers. 

However, from a literary perspective, Leah's transformation is interesting. Authors do not do anything unintentionally so why make Leah a werewolf? Leah is not a well liked character in the way she is portrayed when she is first introduced in the saga. She is bitter, cold, grumpy and not an agreeable person to be around. When she is transformed into a wolf- all these characteristics become an asset to her abilities. Leah is not the typical feminine character- she has stereotypical masculinized traits such as anger, aggression, bravery and strength. Is this why she is such a good fit for the wolf pack? Would she have been such a powerful asset if her personality was the opposite of these characteristics? Leah's anger transforms into power in a fight: as we know from werewolves their strength and transformation is triggered by their anger. She is the fastest runner in the pack; an asset that she carries proudly amongst the men. 

Leah is a complex character; once she joins Jacob's wolf pack half way through Breaking Dawn her attitudes begin to change. Her loyalty to her brother motivates her to make the biggest change and betrayal to everything she believes in; becoming a 'guard dog' for the vampires. But she not only does this out of love for her brother; she has finally found her escape from Sam and the heart break she has suffered ever since he imprinted on Emily. We start to see a shimmer of happiness in Leah as she welcomes a new freedom to be free from mental anguish and begins to connect to Jacob as they share their own personal heart aches together as friends. Leah may be the only female werewolf but if Stephanie Meyer would continue to write the series- would she be the last? Would another female tribe members follow along this same path? Or is Leah unique in the sense that her anger and bitterness triggered such a drastic transformation?

What do you think of Leah? Is she a good role model of strength for women that undergo heartache? Fire away your responses and questions in the comments!

Breaking Dawn and the pregnancy

Written By: Amanda Freidenberger

Bella and Edward become pregnant

 

In Breaking Dawn, we experience some really tough issues. Bella becomes pregnant with Edward while they are on their honeymoon. Edward is concerned about this because he never thought that he would be able to get her pregnant. He is determined to have Bella abort the baby because he knows what the dangers are for carrying a vampire baby. It has never happened before, but he knows that it wouldn't be good. The rest of the Cullens are mostly supportive of any decision Bella makes. They are doing their best to make her as comfortable as possible. Edward refers to the baby as "thing, it". He tries to not have a connection and he hates himself for getting her pregnant because the baby is ripping her apart.

When Jacob finds out that Bella is pregnant, he is angry. He too refers to the baby as a monster. He attempts to convince Bella that she should have an abortion. He doesn't like the idea that she is pregnant by a vampire.

Bella wants to keep the baby no matter what happens to her. She feels the baby hurting her, breaking her ribs and pelvic bones, and sucking the life out of her. Even though, she will do everything in her power to save the baby.

Why does Bella go through with the pregnancy, even though she could die because of it?

I think she has the baby for several reasons. One theory is that she is so determined to have Edwards baby, because it is Edwards. He didn't have the chance to have that part of life when he was human and I think Bella wanted to give that piece to him. Another theory is that she wants to prove Edward wrong. While they were dating and Bella kept trying to talk him into changing her into a vampire, he didn't want to take away her life. The type of life that humans get such as college, children, etc. She is so happy when she becomes pregnant and she can show him that she can be with him and still have those things that he always said she wouldn't.

She decides to go against the pressure from her friend and her husband to have an abortion, and has the baby.

What can we learn from this situation?
Abortion is a topic that many people do not want to talk about. It is a real issue that I feel we need to discuss. Many women are faced with the same situation that Bella faces in the book. Many times they are young and do not know what to do. They are uneducated on the statistics of abortion, they are unaware of their choices, and they are easily persuaded by others on what decision they should make. Here are some facts on unintended pregnancy and abortion.

According to Guttmacher Institute:

Unintended or Unplanned Pregnancy
In nearly every state, about 65 percent to 75 percent of unintended pregnancies were considered mistimed and 25 percent to 35 percent unwanted, according to analysis by the Guttmacher Institute in New York, which studies reproductive issues. More than half of pregnancies in 29 states and the District of Columbia were unintended; 38 percent to 50 percent were unintended in the remaining states.

• In 2006, there were 52 unintended pregnancies for every 1,000 women aged 15–44. In other words, about 5% of reproductive-age women have an unintended pregnancy each year.
• By age 45, more than half of all American women will have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and three in 10 will have had an abortion.
• The U.S. unintended pregnancy rate is significantly higher than the rate in many other developed countries. 
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FB-Unintended-Pregnancy-US.html


Who has abortions?
• Eighteen percent of U.S. women obtaining abortions are teenagers; those aged 15–17 obtain 6% of all abortions, teens aged 18–19 obtain 11%, and teens younger than age 15 obtain 0.4%
• Women in their 20s account for more than half of all abortions; women aged 20–24 obtain 33% of all abortions, and women aged 25–29 obtain 24%
• Non-Hispanic white women account for 36% of abortions, non-Hispanic black women for 30%, Hispanic women for 25% and women of other races for 9%
• Thirty-seven percent of women obtaining abortions identify as Protestant and 28% as Catholic.
• Women who have never married and are not cohabiting account for 45% of all abortions
• About 61% of abortions are obtained by women who have one or more children.
• Forty-two percent of women obtaining abortions have incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level ($10,830 for a single woman with no children).
• Twenty-seven percent of women obtaining abortions have incomes between 100–199% of the federal poverty level.
• The reasons women give for having an abortion underscore their understanding of the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. Three-fourths of women cite concern for or responsibility to other individuals; three-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html

If you are having unprotected, know what can happen. Be educated on the risks. Not only could you become pregnant, but you could also contract sexually transmitted diseases.

It may be romantic in the books, but these are real issues that need to be thought about. Think about all of the risks for any kind of sex you are having. Research the dangers of unprotected sex and be smart about what you are doing. If you have any questions, comments or opinions, let me know and I will do what I can to help you out. Most importantly, get to know what local resources are available to you.
 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competition?

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

 

 

 

Team Peeta 

 

or Team Gale?

 

Why are we breaking everything into teams?

 

Written by: Lindsay Brookshier

 

It is no secret that The Twilight Saga created an intense fandom of women and usually they identify with a certain Team as their preference for the male characters.

Now we see this trend being carried over into The Hunger Games trilogy! I have heard and seen many different people announce themselves Team Peeta or Team Gale thus provoking the similar trend we have seen in Twilight.

Why do we do this? It is interesting how in popular culture you most often see women fighting over one male (movies, media, television, etc.) but in these book series: the woman becomes the object to be desired and to invoke competition.

Are these teams devaluing the male characters? The female characters? Or both?

In one view, you could say that these men rallying for the attraction of the lead female character is transforming her into a simplistic romantic object to be traded to the highest bidder- may the best man win?

Or, is this competition turning the men into romantic objects- for each female character to  dispose of or choose as she sees fit?

Well, this time- I think I am siding with the guys on this one!

Bella constantly leads both Edward and Jacob on in this mixed up, romantic, soap opera of a love triangle. We especially see this in Eclipse! She runs back and forth between them like a ping pong ball with only the thought of remorse until poor Jacob or Edward betray their emotions- and show how hurt they really are. If I feel anyone is being devalued in this scenario- it is definitely Edward and Jacob.

(Yes, yes- I know Renesmee becomes the 'fixer' for this problem but that's a whole other blog post of issues to unravel.)

In The Hunger Games we see this similar trend of emotional apathy towards these poor fellas passion for love. But in this situation, Katniss is not a character that is ruled and defined by love. She is her own individual of strength, power and psychological issues- she doesn't have time to worry about relationships! She is the Mockingjay, for crying out loud. I may be speaking from a bias because I am a Katniss fan to the core, but she is definitely not on the same plane of existence as Bella.

However, we have to be fair. She does lead the boys on throughout the trilogy. Peeta especially gets the run around from her. We see this in the arena especially as she plays out a false love (is it truly false?) for the cameras. And we see the same behavior towards Gale as she comes to him time and time again to fulfill her more furious emotions.

As everyone can probably tell from my writings about Bella vs. Katniss, I am entirely...

Team Katniss!

Can these teams really be comparable? Are Katniss and Bella playing with the emotions of love stricken men to achieve their own aims?

What do you think? 

 

Patriarchy: A simplized definition for reference purposes.

Patriarchy

A summary written by: Lindsay Brookshier

What does patriarchy mean?

 

Patriarchy is defined as a social structure that is centered and controlled by men. The author Allan Johnson has a few basic concepts that make up the central concepts of a male powered society.

Male Dominated

Only the most powerful roles of society are reserved for men. This does not necessarily mean that women cannot integrate themselves into these roles but that they are primarily reserved for men and women being in these roles are the exception rather than the norm.

Obsession with Control

Men are elevated in the social structure with their obsession with control and women are devalued in the society due to their lack of control. Women are assumed to need men's protection, supervision and guidance to have control.

Male Identified

Aspects of society and personal attributes are highly associated with masculine qualities. Personal attributes and social activities associated with women are devalued in the societal structure.

Male Centered

That the society's attention is focused on men and that women take the sidelines in our culture. Public attention is focused on men's lives, experiences and traits that are valued in society.

Questions about patriarchy? Fire away in the comments!