Novel

Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne, Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press. 2008. Print

       "The moment the anthem ends, we are taken into custody. I don't mean we're handcuffed or anything, but a group of Peacekeepers marches us through the front door of the Justice Building. Maybe tributes have tried to escape in the past. I've never seen it happen though.
       "Once inside, I'm conducted to a room and left alone. It's the richest place I've ever been in, with thick, deep carpets and velvet couch and chairs. I know velvet because my mother has a dress with a collar made of the stuff. When I sit on the couch, I can't help running my fingers over the fabric repeatedly. It helps me prepare for the next hour. The time allotted for the tributes to say good-bye to their loved ones. I cannot afford to get upset, to leave this room with puffy eyes and a red nose. Crying is not an option. There will be more cameras at the train station."(33)

       ...Katniss is forced to leave her family to fight for her life in the Hunger Games. This may be the last time she sees her loved ones and her mind is made up on not getting upset. She wants everyone who is watching to believe that she is strong physically and mentally. Katniss has many different abilities, including hunting and running. She is very athletic and even though she doesn't think she could win - she does. At the beginning, she didn't realize  how strong she actually was, pushing herself to stay alive and defeating the Capitol. Her shooting skills help her win and kill some of the strongest tributes in the Games.
       However, as mentioned above, Katniss also shows her inner strength. She wants to make them think that she is as prepared as anyone could be and holds her emotions in when in public. And just like in Ironman by Dennis McMinn, Katniss had to believe her mind was prepared for the competition and push herself to be stronger. "Crying is not an option"(34) she thinks which  shows her strength and how determined a person could be. This excerpt represents the strength of a made up mind and what it takes to stick with it...