STATION 4: PLANTS & FLOWERS
Plants and flowers make multiple appearances in The Hunger Games.
Katniss is named after a plant, and Rue and Primrose are named after
flowers. Read the following quotes. Then, answer the following: Why do you
think Suzanne Collins emphasizes flowers in the story? Why are they
important? Use the questions to help you analyze and explain.
"Prim's face is as
fresh as a raindrop,
as lovely as the
primrose for which
she was named"
(Collins 3).
"The first dandelion on
the year. A bell went
off in my head. I
thought of the hours
spent in the woods
with my father and I
knew how we were
going to survive"
(Collins 32).
"Small, bluish tubers that
don't look like much but
boiled or baked are as
good as any potato.
'Katniss,' I said aloud. It's
the plant I was named for.
And I heard my father's
voice joking, 'As long as
you can find yourself, you'll
never starve'"
(Collins 52).
"Perhaps they are really
weeds...but they have
blossoms in beautiful shades
of violet and yellow and
white. I gather up an armful
and come back to Rue's side.
Slowly, one stem at a time, I
decorate her body in the
flowers. Covering the ugly
wound. Wreathing her face.
Weaving her hair with bright
colors" (Collins 237).
WHY IS PRIM NAMED
AFTER A FLOWER,
BUT KATNISS NAMED
AFTER A PLANT?
WHAT DO
FLOWERS
AND
PLANTS
REMIND
KATNISS
OF?
WHAT DO THESE REFERENCES
HAVE IN COMMON?
WHAT MIGHT BE THE
DEEPER MEANING TO
KATNISS'S FATHER'S
WORDS?
HOW DOES
KATNISS "FIND
HERSELF?"
WHY DOES
KATNISS
COVER
RUE'S BO
WITH
FLOWER