Themes

Courage

In Mockingjay, the characters show true examples of courage by being both active and inactive about their true motives. It seems as if almost everything that they do is an act that is designed to show their true bravery despite the circumstances. Katniss is courageous in a way because she is prepared to die for the cause, as well as to kill and accept the fact that people have to die for her in order to get peace and order back.

Love

Even though the main focus of the book is revenge, it is evident that love is still present in the story. It show Katniss’ love for her family, as well as the men in her life. Despite her confusion about who she should choose between Peeta and Gale, she swallowed her pride and admitted to herself that she needed Peeta’s light to guide her through the day. The way she thought about him while he was in the Capitol is enough proof that she kept him close to her heart at all times.

Power

Power comes in two forms in the story: the good kind and the evil kind. Katniss is showcasing the kind of power that inspires other people to take action and do something regarding their situation. On the other hand, the evil kind of power is with the leaders of District 13 and the Capitol. Both President Snow and President Coin used their power for their own gain, not caring if they’re using the lives of innocent people to do so.

Sacrifice

Since the first book, the Hunger Games trilogy has been focused on the act of sacrificing for one’s love. With Mockingjay, almost all of the characters had to give up something from their old life in order to give peace and order back to their world. It’s not easy to sacrifice something in order to get better things, however—once greater things have happened, those sacrifices will be worth it in the end.

Important Quotes

“My name is Katniss Everdeen. I'm seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me.” (Chapter 1, Paragraph 7, Katniss reciting facts about herself to get a grip in her identity.)

“I watch the woman on the screen. Her body seems larger in stature, more imposing than mine. Her face smudged but sexy. Her brows black and drawn in an angle of defiance. Wisps of smoke – suggesting she has either just been extinguished or is about to burst into flames – rise from her clothes. I do not know who this person is.” (Chapter 5, Paragraph 68, Katniss seeing herself for the first time as the official symbol of the revolution)

"Peeta seemed to have been waging a sort of battle in his mind, fighting to get the message out. Why? The ease with which he manipulates words is his greatest talent. Was his difficulty a result of his torture? Something more? Like madness?” (Chapter 10, Paragraph 60, Katniss noticing that something is off with Peeta during an interview.)

“This is what [Gale and Beetee] have been doing. Taking the fundamental ideas behind Gale's traps and adapting them to weapons against humans. Bombs mostly. It's less about the mechanics of the traps than the psychology behind them. […] Luring the victim to a safe haven – where death awaits them. At some point Gale and Beetee left the wilderness behind and focused on more human impulses. Like compassion. A bomb explodes. Time is allowed for people to rush to the aid of the wounded. Then a second, more powerful bomb kills them as well.” (Chapter 13, Paragraph 41, Katniss on seeing Gale and Beetee’s weapons) “"So have you. So have I. And Finnick and Haymitch and Beetee. Don't get me started on Annie Cresta. The arena messed us all up pretty good, don't you think? Or do you still feel like the girl who volunteered for your sister?" (Chapter 17, Paragraph 45, Johanna pointing out to Katniss how much the victors have changed since then)

"I didn't know. I've never seen myself like that before. Katniss is right. I'm the monster. I'm the mutt. I'm the one Snow has turned into a weapon!" (Chapter 21, Paragraph 5, Peeta thinking that he’s the reason why the team lost a member.)

“Peeta sounded like his old self, the one who could always think of the right thing to say when nobody else could. Ironic, encouraging, a little funny, but not at anyone's expense.” (Chapter 21, Paragraph 65, Katniss on noticing that Peeta is slowly going back to his old self)

"What has been proposed is that in lieu of eliminating the entire Capitol population, we have a final, symbolic Hunger Games, using the children directly related to those who held the most power." (Chapter 26, Paragraph 47, President Coin proposing that a last Games are to be held)

“Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children to settle its differences. You can spin it any way you like. Snow thought the Hunger Games was an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war. But in the end, who benefits?” (Chapter 27, Paragraph 15, Katniss deciding that killing innocents, regardless of the reason, is not justifiable)

“What I need to survive is not Gale's fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.” (Chapter 27, Paragraph 62, Katniss realizing that Peeta is the man for her)