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IN WHAT WAYS DOES KATNISS EVERDEEN CHALLENGE OR CONFIRM OUR UNDERSTANDING OF A TYPICAL HERO IN 'THE HUNGER GAMES'?

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IN WHAT WAYS DOES KATNISS EVERDEEN CHALLENGE OR CONFIRM OUR UNDERSTANDING OF A TYPICAL HERO IN 'THE HUNGER GAMES'?
The question of whether Katniss Everdeen, of 'The Hunger Games,' confirms or challenges the idea of an archetypal hero is one debated worldwide. Throughout the novel, written by Suzanne Collins, Katniss demonstrates qualities and undertakes actions which are, without a doubt, heroic. However, whether or not this makes her a hero is dependent upon who you are asking; many characters in the novel would have very different ideas as to what a hero is. Also, although Katniss may come off as a hero many times in the book, she also challenges that title in countless instances with less-than-heroic actions and thoughts. So is Katniss Everdeen a hero? Through her actions, thoughts and personality, Katniss both confirms and challenges the idea of a typical hero.

Katniss confirms our understanding of a typical hero with her noble personality attributes and heroic actions. She exhibits moments of tolerance, endurance, selflessness and compassion; all of which are what makes up our overall perception of an archetypal hero. We see Katniss display these heroic attributes on reaping day, when Katniss's little sister Prim is chosen to be a tribute for District 12. In a selfless act of bravery, Katniss volunteers to take hr sisters place, hence saving her from certain death. In this one great deed, Katniss attains the ultimate 'heights of self-sacrifice reached by the most noble of heroes,' catapulting her to the realms of the true archetypal heroes; a title which she upholds for most of the duration of 'The Hunger Games.' In another instance, Katniss demonstrates saint-like levels of tolerance and kindness when she tends to Peeta whilst he is injured and unable to walk. He slows her down; he's a total burden yet Katniss nurses him back from the brink of death, risking her own life as she does it. To deny the incredible levels of heroism demonstrated by Katniss throughout the novel is nearly impossible to do; through most of her mannerisms and actions, Katniss fits perfectly into

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