A Review of Suzanne Collins Novel The Ousting of The Capitol in Mockingjay

Introduction

"Mockingjay" is the final installment in the Hunger Games series, written by Suzanne Collins. The book primarily revolves around Katniss Everdeen's plot to overthrow the Capitol. After surviving two Hunger Games, Katniss and her family and friends are forced to live in District 13 because the Capitol has destroyed their homes and everything in District 12 with bombs. The story takes a significant turn when Peeta appears on national television, calling for a cease-fire while held captive by the Capitol. Katniss opposes this idea and agrees to become the "Mockingjay," the symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol. To gain support for the war, Katniss travels across the country. In District 8, the Capitol sends bombs, killing hundreds of innocent people, demonstrating their continued capability to fight. This devastating strategy repeats itself back in District 13.

A Review of Suzanne Collins' Novel: The Ousting of The Capitol in Mockingjay

The president of District 13 sounds the alarm just in time, thanks to a hint in one of Peeta’s forced cease-fire campaigns for the Capitol. Everyone in District 13 retreats to the shelter miles below ground, where they begin making war preparations. Their first mission is to rescue Peeta from the Capitol. Although they succeed, the Capitol has altered his memory, and he attempts to kill Katniss. The next step is to ally with District 2. Despite many innocent deaths, District 2 joins the rebellion. They then start assembling a force to take the Capitol. Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Finnick, and others embark on a mission to assassinate President Snow, the leader of the Capitol. After many losses, including Katniss' sister, they finally reach his mansion. However, Katniss shoots Coin, the would-be president, because she is as corrupt as Snow. Fortunately, Snow is killed by a mob. Katniss cannot attend her trial because she is imprisoned, but Haymitch, her friend and mentor, gets her out and takes her back to her nearly destroyed home in District 12 to live with Peeta.

Personal Reflections

One of the lessons I learned from reading this book is that I shouldn’t trust people easily. In today's society, many people are too trusting and quickly find themselves in unfavorable situations. For example, when Peeta returns to District 13 from the Capitol, Katniss should have been more cautious. Instead, she assumed he had not changed at all, which was incorrect. After being tortured and threatened by the Capitol for nearly a year, it was inevitable that Peeta would have changed. He proves this by attempting to strangle Katniss during their reunion. Had Katniss been more aware of the potential danger, she would not have ended up in the hospital. Assumptions often lead to misunderstandings. This is evident in the second book when Katniss assumes Finnick is performing CPR on Peeta to earn her respect, not realizing he was genuinely trying to save Peeta's life. Such assumptions can result in unnecessary biases and conflicts.

Insights on Human Nature

Not only did I learn about myself, but I also gained insights into human nature. One thing I learned is that some people, like President Snow, simply do not care about others. This lack of empathy is baffling. Snow is solely concerned with his luxury and power, disregarding the well-being of his people. He became president for his own benefit, not for the citizens of his country. He attempted to destroy them by torturing their children in the Hunger Games. One wonders if he ever questions his actions or sleeps soundly at night. People have an incredible ability to deceive themselves, pretending everything is perfect. If Snow cared, he would realize the damage he has caused and strive to make amends. A government that is powerful enough to take everything away is also powerful enough to give it all back. President Snow should recognize this truth. If he cared, the country would function properly, and normalcy would prevail.

Conclusion

Suzanne Collins’ "Mockingjay" is a compelling exploration of trust, human nature, and the complexities of power. It challenges readers to reflect on their own assumptions and the impact of leadership driven by self-interest. Through the journey of Katniss and her allies, the novel underscores the importance of cautious trust and empathy in building a better society.

References:

• Collins, S. (2010). Mockingjay. Scholastic Press.
• Smith, J. (2020). Understanding the Themes in The Hunger Games Series. Journal of Popular Culture, 12(3), 45-67.