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Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
Unlike the Careers, the people in District 12 don’t willingly offer themselves up for the Games.
For one, it gives the two characters another similarity.
More than any other book,Sunrise on the Reapingcalls into question the legitimacy of certain reapings.
Initially, it seems like this is meant to highlight his alcoholism.
But after readingSunrise on the Reaping,I think Haymitch has other motives.
This puts his firstHunger Gamesappearance in an all-new light and makes it even more devastating.
However, Haymitch’s hug makes a lot more sense with the context given inSunrise on the Reaping.
And it goes beyond merely seeing each other for the tournament every year.
Because of this, Effie volunteers to prepare the tributes for their pre-tournament interviews.
She and Haymitch form a friendly bond, even though she’s clearly eating up the Capitol’s propaganda.
This is a sweet revelation that made me appreciate Haymitch’s bond with Katniss even more upon a re-read.
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His dedication to the rebellion goes beyond wanting the Capitol to fall.
AsBuzzFeednotes, Haymitch refuses to accompany her on this trip.
And although Katniss brushes this off as laziness,Sunrise on the Reapingsuggests a sadder reason for his absence.
It would have been satisfying to see one of his District 12 victims get the last laugh.
It also makeshis death inMockingjaymore disappointing, asSnow deserves so much worse than the ending he got.
Of course, Katniss killing Coin proves far more important.
Sunrise on the Reaping was absolutely devastating.
It feels like author Suzanne Collins was using this book to make a final Hunger Games statement.
