Katniss Heroic Qualities

A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and noble qualities. In the novel “The Hunger Games” written by Suzanne Collins, two characters portray and demonstrate their heroic qualities throughout the novel. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is seen as selfless and Peeta Mellark is seen as brave. Katniss is a young woman who looks after her family and works hard to protect and provide for them. Peeta is brave in difficult situations and this helps him fight for his and Katniss’ life. Collins revealed the qualities through the protagonists, Peeta and Katniss, depicting them as heroes.

To be selfless means you are more concerned about others well - being before your own. Whilst survival is everything in The Hunger Games, Katniss still finds the time to be selfless through a range of several acts of kindness. For example when Katniss found Peeta, she overlooked her own disfigurements and tended to his care. The quote said by Peeta “Now that you have me, what are you going to do with me?” Katniss turns and replies “Put you somewhere where you can’t get hurt”. The repetition emphasizes she will look after him. By Katniss responding the way she did, this shows her heroic nature as she tries to hide Peeta to protect him. Collins demonstrated selflessness through Katniss which is a crucial attribute to being a successful hero.

Being brave means to be prepared to face and endure mental and physical danger as well as many mental and physical obstacles. Peeta has clearly demonstrated this by fighting off the careers when they were going to murder Katniss. Peeta told her to run and proceeded to fight the careers and as a result received a major wound on his upper leg. This caused him to have difficulties walking. Peeta had demanded Katniss “Get up! Get up!” Katniss stood and questioned him “What? What is going on?” He shoved her away from him hard and said “Run! Run!”. Repetition highlights the desperate situation that they are in. It is clearly portrayed that
Peeta would put others lives before himself, as Peeta makes Katniss get up and run, saving her life. If Peeta hadn’t done what he did, Katniss wouldn’t survived, but Peeta did it anyway to show how brave he was, so Peeta can clearly be seen as a hero.

Overall, throughout the novel, Suzanne Collins demonstrates Katniss and Peeta's heroic nature through all of the many obstacles encountered and therefore resulted in the shared victory of The Hunger Games. By Katniss always putting others before herself and Peeta always being ready to face any pain or danger the audience is clearly exposed to how brave, selfless and most of all, heroic they were in the games.