CATCHING FIRE Digital Reading Party discussion

5. How does seeing Haymitch’s Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, affect Katniss' understanding of Haymitch and the mockingjay symbol?

This is one of my favorite parts about the book. I love getting any back story on the characters and this particular story has so many ties. Masilee (sp?), the other tribute from D12 that was friends with Katniss's mother and the sister to Madge's mother.

And, of course, getting some insight into how Haymitch won and how he was affected by the death of his fellow tribute.

After seeing Haymitch's Games, Katniss realizes just another connection she has with Haymitch. Katniss and Haymitch were both too late to save someone they care about, and they both outsmarted the Capitol's Games in some way. Katniss has a newfound fondness for Haymitch, because she realizes that he's not just some drunk, he's a guy who suffered just as much as she has, and that they both are rebels and together, exactly as Katniss says in the book, "should be able to find a way to get Peeta home alive." I really do love this part, because Katniss and Haymitch's relationship is so funny and straight forward, but they also have a deeper kids-from-the-Seam connection, that grows even stronger when Katniss see's Haymitch's games.

After seeing the Second Quarter Quell, Katniss seems to have a better understanding of Haymitch and see how both of them have this rebellious side to them and how both of them had won their Games while defying the Capitol at the same time.

I think it finally clicks with Katniss that as much as she despises ( or wants to think she despises) Haymitch, she realizes that she is more similar to him than she could have ever expected. It changes her view of him completely and she learns his story with out him ever having to tell it. And now after seeing something else backfire on the Capitol ( 1st the Jabberjays and now the force field) it starts to make perfect sense that the mockinjay be the connecton to rebellion