CATCHING FIRE Digital Reading Party discussion

What is the meaning of the title, Catching Fire? How many different ways can you identify the theme of “catching fire” in this volume?

I think "Fire" is the rebellion and "Catching Fire" is a metaphor for how the rebellion is spreading (like fire!) throughout Panem.

Elena wrote: "I think "Fire" is the rebellion and "Catching Fire" is a metaphor for how the rebellion is spreading (like fire!) throughout Panem."

I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's a really good point. I thought of it as Katniss is the fire because of her firey costume in the games and Snow or the capitol are trying to keep her from spreading ideas, but still keeping her alive.

"A spark could be enough to set them ablaze" Katnis's quotation about the District 11. I agree with Elena that the title makes reference to the fire of rebellion that begins to spread throughout the 12 districts.

Catching fire. Well, Girl on Fire. And also she is like a coal, she was burned out after the first Hunger Games but she is reignited in the Catching Fire book. She tries to please Pres. Snow by pretending to be deeply in love with Peeta. And Snow tells her it hasn't worked and that it won't stop the uprisings. Once she knows this, Katniss feels a sense of freedom and from then on, she decides that if she will die, she will die giving the rest of Panem a martyr. She wants her death (and saving Peeta) to mean something and to spur on the rebellion. Catching fire is on many levels. Individual, for Katniss. As a group when the tributes speak and act out towards the Capitol in the Quarter Quell, and as a society when Panem and the districts have uprisings.

"Every revolution begins with a spark." Once the spark was set loose, the rebellion spread like fire. It's such an accurate title for the book. Absolutely spot on.