Catching Fire Chapter 16 Quotes
Catching Fire Chapter 16 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
We sit in silence awhile and then I blurt out the thing that's on both our minds. "How are we going to kill these people, Peeta?" (16.93)
Unlike many soldiers in real wars, Katniss and Peeta don't have nationalism or patriotism to boost their spirits before they head into battle. They don't believe in the "cause" they're fighting for: kill or be killed. This isn't their war. After making it through the previous Games alive, now they have to turn around and head right back into battle again.
Quote 2
I forget the rest of the gym and the victors and how miserable I am and lose myself in the shooting. When I manage to take down five birds in one round, I realize it's so quiet I can hear each one hit the floor. I turn and see the majority of the victors have stopped to watch me. Their faces show everything from envy to hatred to admiration. (16.79)
Katniss has a special quality and talent going into the Games: she's a killer archer (pun intended). That makes her a formidable opponent and potential ally. The other tributes can all see it; their reactions differ, but they all want Katniss on their team.
Quote 3
And the more I come to know these people, the worse it is. Because, on the whole, I don't hate them. And some I like. And a lot of them are so damaged that my natural instinct would be to protect them. But all of them must die if I'm to save Peeta. (16.85)
The Games take so much away from those who compete in them, even down to their ability to be loyal to more than one person. According to the design of the Games, ultimately each person can only truly be loyal to him- or herself. Even here, Katniss is stretching the rules by deciding that her ultimate loyalty is to Peeta rather than herself. When it comes down to the two of them, will she be able to stick to that?