PEETA MELLARK (The Hunger Games)
Brief Summary (spoilers)
by pseudolirium
He is described as being medium height with a stocky build, having ashy blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead and blue eyes. He is the town baker’s son and is talented in baking breads and icing cakes. He harbours a love for Katniss that he has had since a young age, although the two never speak until the Games. He spends his time trying to protect her, all the while Katniss, never knowing his true feelings for her, believes they are an act for the cameras. He is a master manipulator and people can’t help but like him. He can play up to the cameras, and this ability also helps give Katniss more protection. He is eternally good.
- Courtesy of invaliddaydreamer (delirifumfandom.net)
Peeta is a boy from the merchant class in District 12, and even though his family is not as poor as families in the seam, they are by no means well off. Peeta is a genuinely good person who maintains a great attitude despite his hardships. His lives with his baker father, and his mother, who is referred to by Katniss a number of times as a witch. We know his relationship with his family is strained, especially with his mother since she sometimes physically scolds him. His mother even told him she thought Katniss had a shot at winning the games during what could have very well been the last time she would see her son. Peeta’s love for Katniss is one of his defining characteristics. He has loved her since he first heard her sing when they were five and hasn’t stopped since. He would lie down and die for Katniss, but he will not allow himself to be made a fool of. Once he realizes that a lot of what Katniss did in the arena was based more on survival than love, he distanced himself from her and they went months without saying much of anything to each other. Part of this, of course, was based on feelings of rejection and a broken heart, but also shows that he has some self-respect. He is not weak and will stand up for himself. This is evident when Peeta demonstrates his anger over Katniss and Haymitch when he realizes they left him out of their plans. He is also a crafty liar, but only when it is necessary. He can win over any crowd, has a way with words, and the ability to convince you of anything. Not only was his timing impeccable, but nobody questioned it. During both of his interviews he was able to change the course of the games simply with his words. He is inherently good, a trait that eventually overcomes the mind manipulation that was done to him at one point. He is ultimately able to overcome a lot of what happened to him, and ultimately becomes the one person that Katniss so desperately needed in her life.
- Courtesy of THGAdminJessi
Why We Like Him
To me, Peeta is almost a polar opposite to Katniss. He is kind and gentle, and utterly unprepared for the Hunger Games. Where Katniss is all steel and hardness, Peeta is warm and kind. I think they both need each other. I don’t just like Peeta for how well he goes with Katniss, however. I like him for how fiercely he tries to protect what he loves – one of the few similarities between him and Katniss. Peeta also has a vulnerable side, which was more obvious from the start than Katniss’, and we see it more clearly than anything in Mockingjay. He displays his inner strength when he fights back to return to himself. It really does make me sad to think of it. – uchihakatniss
His kindness and devotion were really beautiful to see in such a grim series- he lit up the books. – Burdge-bug
FINNICK ODAIR (The Hunger Games)
Brief Summary (spoilers)
by elontirien
Strengths: Strong, cunning, and undeniably attractive
Weakness: Annie. His love for her is both his reason for him fighting the Capitol, but also his downfall.
- courtesy of cns49
Finnick Odair was the youngest person to win The Hunger Games, and a lot of this had to do with his good looks which got him wealthy sponsors who provided him with a trident. He is also physically fit and a fierce competitor. He presents himself as a flirt and playboy who is the darling of the Capitol. We ultimately find out that Finnick is much deeper than he lets on.
He loves Annie Cresta, a fellow District 4 victor, who never really recovered her sanity after winning her games. Finnick is sold by the Capitol to whatever citizen wants him, and despite his deep love for Annie he knows his hands are tied. He must do what the Capitol wants in order to protect the ones he loves. We learn of his love for Annie in the Catching Fire arena, but never really see it in action until Mockingjay. When Annie and Peeta have been captured by the Capitol both Katniss and Finnick have emotional breakdowns.
We see Finnick grow weak and emotionally distraught, and then we see him recover and grow stronger upon being reunited with Annie in District 13. Finnick is always strong for Annie. He is tender and gentle, and clearly loves her. He is also a man of strong convictions. He is part of the rebel’s plans to get Katniss out of the Quarter Quell and does everything in his power to keep both her and Peeta alive. Finnick’s courage led him to play an integral role in the downfall of the Capitol.
by Alicexz
Why We Like Him
At the start, I liked Finnick for his cocky charm and humour. Then, as Katniss begins to trust him more, and get to know him, more is revealed. We learn about his love for Annie, and see his distress for her when the jabberjays start their attack, mimicking her voice. Throughout Catching Fire, Finnick is like a steadying force for the group (probably because he actually knew the plan) and so his drastic change in Mockingjay broke my heart. Again, he is a character that we see break. One good thing was he was able to again be a steadying force for Katniss. With Finnick and Annie’s reunion we begin to see the old Finnick again. – uchihakatniss
The best thing about Finnick is how layered he is. With all of his facets, he creates such a wonderfully surprising character – one that you don’t expect to become a favorite character, but does anyway. – Burdge-bug
VOTING CLOSES END OF 9/29/12
