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Falling Hard Blog post 6

I want to jump a little ahead and talk about what has happened after Lucy Gray won the Hunger Games and when Coriolanus got caught cheating so he got assigned to be a peacekeeper in district 12. Actually more like he wanted to go to district 12 to see Lucy Gray. I think with his demotion from the capitol he wants to build his way back to the top, but will have to go through the ranks. I love the dialogue so much when Coriolanus sees Lucy Gray for the first time at the bar and she is singing. She looks at him like he is the only person in the room and he admires that a lot.

Entreaties: an earnest or humble request 

Billy Taupe is such a snob and a disgusting human being, he had no right to attack Lucy Gray on the stage while she was singing, but let me tell you when Coriolanus walked up there and punched him in the face it was so satisfying. Now I can't tell if that was a good or bad decision on his moral character because he could have done it because he was acting like a jerk or it was something to do with his possessiveness on her. Also I don't know what is going on with Sejanus, but he is acting really weird, he is talking to the district 12 people really secretly and it seems like he knows them personally. I was kinda surprised when Lucy Gray did not run after them after they got kicked out of the bar for fighting. Coriolanus definitely made it up when he visited her the next day in the flower fields. I really liked this part of the book because it gives a lot of insight into Lucy Gray’s perspective because the majority of the book is written from Coriolanus' point of view. Chapter 30 demonstrates how Lucy Gray lived her life in district 12 and Coriolanus seems to really like her life. 

Gaunt: lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age. 

The big argument all over the internet is that did Coriolanus and Lucy Gray actually love each other or were they just using each other? I think because of the events that occurred throughout the book they used each other for comfort and did care for one another. Although I think towards the middle to the end of the book Coriolanus started to show his true colors with his possessiveness towards her and his demand to win the plinth prize. Ultimately love did not work out because Coriolanus decided power and glory mattered more. Lucy Gray could see through his indifference for her and she represented everything the capitol wanted to stay away from. I love everything about the whole book because it foreshadows the future of the Hunger games, Catching Fire, Mocking Jay part 1 and 2. It all shows the start of why everything ended up happening in each installment of the hunger games. Like why all around the districts it is closed off by wire fencing to remind everyone and himself that no one could ever be that different. 

Even though Coriolanus made his own decisions that doesn't mean he is all to blame. People influence people, it happens all over the world and in everyday life. Dr.Gual had a lot to blame for because she pushed teh ideas that the districts deserved the brutality and ultimately influenced him so much was because he wanted to be like his father. To the Capitol money and glory is the most essential way of life and the only way to prosper the gains of leadership.

I think the overall message of The Hunger Games, The Ballad Of ASongbirds and Snakes is that influence from others really does matter. Maybe if Coriolanus didn’t  have these bad people in his ear constantly and had the pressure of being the best, he could have ended up with Lucy Gray. Maybe if Lucy Gray had tried hard enough to help him, he would have been saved himself. Unfortunately Coriolanus became Snow the president and Lucy Gray haunts his mind for the rest of his life.

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Let The Hunger Games Begin Blog post 5

Coriolanus is a very jealous and protective man over Lucy Gray and I am living for it. He actually kissed her and he was so shocked yet pleased because he really does care for her. 

Reading about Marcus being hanged in manacles in the arena was actually disturbing because the capitol was treating him like an animal. Everybody is watching all over Panem to signify never to cross the capitol and if you do there will be consequences. Sejanus had every right to act out because he knows this is absolutely morally wrong and inhumane. These people are human and should not be treated anything less, but it is to prove a hard statement to everyone. Sejanus is such an honorable man because he risked his entire life to enter the arena and honor Marcus's Body. Now as much as I liked his bravery it was a stupid mistake because he put himself in danger being in the arena while the tributes are in there as well. That puts Corilanus in danger as well because he is asked to go save his “friend”.I saw it coming, Coriolanus’s breaking point. After Sejanus decides to leave with Corilnaus, Tribute 11 comes charging at them with an ax , slitting Coriolanus through the back. The way he killed the tribute surprised me so much because there is a fine line between self defense and brutality and Coriolanus was dancing with both. What makes this situation much worse is him actually feeling powerful after killing someone. Like oh my goodness that is actual insanity and this just adds onto the downfall of Coriolanus.

As the Hunger Games started Lucy Gray hesitated to move because she was scared and I totally understand why because I would be the same. I can’t imagine the stress Coriolanus would be under because he wants her to survive and doesn't want her to die. He starts to get jealous because Lucy Gray wants to save her partner in the arena but he will start to be a liability to her because she is worried about the survival of her district partner and he is very sick. People start to hide while other tributes want to fight. It kinda seems like Lucy Gray has a big target on her back because she has a lot of sponsors from the capitol and a lot of people like her.  In my opinion despite her small frame size she is very elite because she knows her way around the arena and knows how to depend herself.

Things are a bit slow because the majority of people are hiding, while the mentors all watch from Heavensbee Hall waiting and hoping their tributes survive the night. 

I don’t understand how Dr.Gual tries to justify tributes murdering each other for entertainment, but somehow she does. She believed the uprising of the tributes rebellion towards the capitol would never happen again, thus creating the hunger games. 

Lucy Gray hiding with Jessup is very risky because it's shown throughout the chapter that he is starting to get aggressive towards her and she finds out that he has been poisoned. Coriolanus is very worried because his aggression is starting to scare Lucy Gray and she could die. 

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Nothing Ever Changes Blog post 4

The absolute suspense of the arena getting bombed was insane because I had so many questions. Like who did it?, whoever did it, why would they? Does Coriolanus actually care and love Lucy Gray? And the final question will the games still go on because the arena was severely damaged and a lot of the tributes died?  What amazed me the most was that even though Coriolanus got really hurt he is still concerned about Lucy Gray. Like come on that man is in love with her and that act was so kind asking about how she is. He also feels obligated to see her because she saved his life when she could have run free from everything. 

Rendition: A performance or interpretation, especially of a dramatic role or piece of music. 

Number reason 100 why Lucy Gray is such a dominant character, while most tributes think the games will be canceled due to only having 14 competitors left, she wants Coriolanus to help her and strategize how to win the games. I think it was really a smart idea for Coriolanus to suggest her singing because if she does, she might get more viewers which equals sponsors to help her succeed inside the arena. The reaction of Coriolanus to her singing will never not amaze me because he describes her voice in such detail and is so enthralled of how she can sway the entire capitol to her side.

Peevishness: Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things.

Decrepit: Something that is worn out, weakened, or deteriorated due to old age or long term use.

I am such a Sejanus stand because like I have said before, empathy is a gift but also a curse because he sees the games as something so demented and wrong , but of course Dr.Gaul is feeding into the origin story that the tributes are the animals and deserve what comes to them. He is so kind and doesn't blame his tribute for running when the bombs went off and he might actually respect his action.

I truly think Tigris is such an underestimated character because she really does contribute to Coriolanus as a person. I realized how much influence she has on him because she basically raised him and did harsh things like sell her body so she could get money and bring it home. I think he starts to realize how much she has done for him and it's hard for him to imagine the things she went through so he could have food and clothes. Growing up both of them endured such horrible things but still reminiscing on the good parts of the past really shows how a situation can be flipped.

The night before the games I could only imagine would be the most  terrifying thing ever because everyday you will have to fight for the next day. Not only that but knowing there can be only one winner sends chills down my spine because some of these characters are so good and all but one will win. The fact that Coriolanus wants to say his final goodbye to Lucy Gray before the games is so adorable and he wants to give her something to remember him while she is in the arena. Reading the last pages of chapter 12 had me screaming! I can’t believe he gave her his mothers antique compact. This is such an important detail to their development because he cherishes that object with his entire heart. He also WIPED her tears when she was crying because she is scared to die. I could not hold my excitement, he was comforting her and noticed that his feelings are starting to get deeper for her.

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The Revival Blog post 3

When Sejanus tried to give food to his District 2 boy Marcus, other senior mentors tried to do the same thing. Understandably some didn't want to take it because it might seem like the capitol is trying to do something nice for the tributes, but in reality, some people have different intentions. I did not expect the district girl 10 brandy to kill her mentor Aracnhne, do I necessarily disagree with it, no. Arachne was trying to tease her tribute with food and she had enough and decided to do something about it. The reactions of every one were really surprising, some just watched while others couldn't bear to look. Coriolanus thought he could do something about it, but all he was left with was her limp body and her last breath. To me, that really showed his empathy for him because he really did try and truly was devastated. 

Another way the capitol shows how much humanity they lack, Arachne got a big ceremony to commemorate her time as a student and a mentor. The district 10 girl got hanged and was shown to all of Panem as a traitor and disgrace. The Capitol publicly televised their funerals to signify who the enemy is; The districts. I couldn't believe the humanity you must lack to see one life honorable and the other as an act out towards the capitol. As if Arachne didn't start it when she was taunting her girl with food but taking it away. No one deserves death, but how can someone sit there and be so cruel to another when they know they are at a disadvantage. Something I can actually relate to Coriolanus about is when in emotional distress I needed something to distract me, he stayed up all night to write the new ideas to attract more viewers to watch the Hunger Games.

I was a little surprised when Clemensia still put her hand in the tank of snakes even though she knew she didn't write the new ideas. Reason #50 why Dr gaul is so weird, like why do you have a tank of blue and purple snakes? I bet she enjoyed when Clemensia stuck her hand in and was attacked. I think that is when Coriolanus realized that the same thing could have happened to him if he lied, that he could be considered a liability to the Capitol. The fact Dr gaul was so fast to cover the situation up with saying Clemensia surely caught a bad disease amazed me because it just shows how easy it was to cover “problems” up.

Avoxes: A person whose tongue has been ripped out, to be mute them to punish them for being a rebel or a traitor. 

Knowing that Clemensia didn't just come down with some disease, Coriolanus is really worried about Lucy Gray, he wants to help her out anyway he can. The way he expresses her singing makes it seem so ethereal and engaging. Obviously her lack of food from the last couple of days has made her weak and look brittle. Reading the development of their relationship is truly astonishing because he really cares for her like no other and wants her to win. The fact he goes out of his own way to sneak food to feed her and tells her about his life story just proves that he loves her!   

It's so interesting how the book is set up because it feels like I can feel the impending doom of the Hunger Games coming up by just reading from Coriolanus’s thoughts. The arena plays such an important role because it establishes the setting for the next several chapters. The arena is very old because it was used before. I know it's probably wrong to say this, but Coriolanus and Lucy Gray are everything! She comforted him when he was nervous and they started to hold hands before the telecast appeared. I think their trauma bonding really linked them together and they know they can trust each other.

The last sentence of chapter 9 shook me to the core and I knew I had to keep reading.  

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The Act Of Being Naive Blog Post 2

Once the tributes are dumped in the cage like a zoo after the reaping, the initial reaction from the audience to the district people disgusts me. I know they have been raised to believe they are “dangerous” and “barbaric”, but they should not be treated or looked at as anything lesser because they live in the districts. That is why I love Sejanus Plinth’s character so much because he has been a part of the districts and knows that they are people too. For some context, the Plinth family once lived in the districts but got placed in the capitol to serve them. Sejanus has seen it all and knows the Hunger Games are wrong and I think that is why he doesn't fear calling out the wrong people like Dean Highbottom (lead game maker) and Dr. Gaul (headmaker and oversees the mentorships). That is something I hope I can do, even when no one agrees but I know it is the right thing to do, I hope I can make a difference. When the tributes get dumped in the zoo arena, the Capitol adults and children are watching them and are a little scared to approach them. Being presented in a way after the reaping in the zoo makes the people look like animals. In reality, they are people who love and lose just like a person in the Capitol. 

As I was reading I found it interesting how much Coriolanus cared to make a good impression on Lucy Gray. I honestly think this might go deeper than winning the plinth prize because the way he thinks and expresses his thoughts about her feels more like infatuation. Everything she represents from her singing to her starkey attitude is something he has never seen before, she symbolizes freedom and difference. Personally, I strive to be with someone who is different from me because they can bring out the best in me, but I don’t know if the same goes for the Capitol because it could be considered a threat. I really like the dynamic of Coryo and Lucy Gray because they are so different yet also the same because they struggle with finding purpose. He goes out of his way to learn things about her and realizes she is a person too. He sees her differently and I really think that is going to set up future conflict. He is doing all this endearment towards her because he wants to win the plinth prize or he wants her.

I can’t explain my hatred towards Dr. Gual, she is weird and has a fascination with being really creepy.

I don’t like how Coriolanius is using Sejanus for his friendship and making him believe they are friends. If I found out someone was using me best believe we wouldn't be friends anymore. Sejanus is such a good person who truly has a good heart. I think Coriolanus knows that and uses his kindness for granted. You would think something so deadly like the Hunger Games you would want a friend to be there for you when things got bad. 

Clemnisia gives me fake girl vibes, that's all I have to say about her. 

At the end of chapter 6, I was screaming. CORIOLANUS IS IN LOVE WITH LUCY GRAY, I am calling it right now. Coriolanus gave Lucy Gray his personal handkerchief to wipe her tears!!!!! Like are you kidding me, you can’t tell me that he doesn't like her. I think she is very fond of him too, especially when she tells him she wished they meant differently. In this generation you could never get that from a boy unless they were absolutely in love with that girl. Now of course this is different because she is fighting for her life, but still it means a lot that Coriolanus cares for Lucy Gray. 

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Villain Origin Story/ Blog Post 1

I really do feel for Coriolanus because he is put on a pedestal to be great and held to different standards than the rest of the senior mentors from the start. When we are young it is so easy to see the world as something it is not, we sometimes see ourselves as invincible because of our given youth. The main character Coriolanus is kinda the same in that way because his living circumstances seem like something he can fix.

The constant comparison of him being his dad and being the only male in his household drives him to wanting to save his family. The mostly empty and unfurnished house symbolizes the living style of the Snow family and how Coriolanus already feels a duty to his family to serve. Bringing on such a daunting responsibility to his family at only 18 establishes his motives and determination to win the Plinth prize, which could pay for his tuition if he won. For me, sometimes it can feel like we have a liability to the people who take care of us to help out. Just like most people,  his youthness also holds a sense of naiveness to not know what is actually going on behind the capitol, which also happens in real life. For instance, we only look at things we want to see, but if we see something ugly we can choose to ignore it and turn it off. 

The innocence is still alive, he feels emotions deeply for the people of the districts. His initial reaction of seeing Lucy Gray Baird made me giggle and kick my feet because it really captures the connection he feels right away once he sees how she reacts when her name is called for the reaping. For some background information, when the district rebels attacked the capitol it was commenced months later that something like this catastrophic would never happen again. Once the war came to an end, leading to the capitols victory it was made that every year moving forward each district would choose a boy and a girl to fight in the hunger games and at the end there would only be one winner. Now the senior mentors from the Capitol would be granted one of the chosen tributes to be granted the Plinth Prize. 

Ensemble: a group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together. “Her colorful ensemble drew the eye, as to a tattered butterfly in a field of moths.” 

Growing up I was set with the lines of good and bad, having the consciousness of right and wrong. People influence people, it's a simple fact. Coriolanus is surrounded by good people, but sometimes the pressure of being great can turn into negative actions. What is really ironic though is how he first reacts to him being granted the district 12 girl, he thinks of her as the “joke district” and the “smallest district”, but once the reaping begins she sings to show the entirety of Panem she is the strongest and unique person there. I was so surprised she had that much bravery to sing and shared her voice even though normally something like this should be terrifying. For goodness sake she is so cool, putting that snake in that girls shirt when she was snickering at her was crazy. I would be scared out of my mind if I got chosen for the reaping, I really do wonder how I would react? Also the fact when she got slapped by the peacekeeper and stood up and sang was so brave.

Innumerable: Too many to be numbered