Identity

The novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins explores the theme of identity by looking at Katniss and the identity she has to create for herself in order to survive the Hunger Games. Throughout the novel, Katniss’s identity continues to evolve and be influenced by the way she presents herself or the way people see her. 

What first defines Katniss’s identity to the public of Panem is her decision to volunteer to take her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games. The people of District 12, who understand sacrifice better than the people of the Capitol, are particularly moved: “I don’t think of District 12 as a place that cares about me. But a shift has occurred since I stepped up to take Prim’s place, and now it seems I have become someone precious” (Chapter 2, 27%).

As soon as she gets to the Capitol, however, different p...