Note: This post might contain spoilers. So if you haven’t read the books or seen the films up to Mockingjay Part 2, then you shouldn’t be viewing this. Because it might ruin the whole thing for you.

During the course of Mockingjay, while Katniss becomes a symbol of a revolution, she has plenty of psychological baggage catching up to her. Now Katniss wasn’t altogether there in the beginning since she lost her father at 11 years old and was too busy trying to support her family through poaching to grow up as a fully functioning human being. After she and Peeta win the Hunger Games, she’s already suffering with PTSD by Catching Fire and is forced to keep chugging as other characters decide that she’s too important to whatever is going on to be allowed to recover from shell shock. This gets exacerbated at every given opportunity whether it be the Quarter Quell or the rebellion. And boy, does she suffer since she has to deal with things like friends dying, her hometown bombed, war and destruction, getting wounded, Peeta’s hijacking, betrayal, and so much more.

For a parody on this state, I decided to use “Jean Valjean’s Soliloquy” from Les Miserables (it’s a great musical, I know). Now in the original Jean Valjean struggles with his worldview and how the bishop he robbed is the first person who’s ever been kind to him since he’s been on parole for stealing a loaf of bread. This even to the point when the bishop forgives him for stealing his silver. This leads him to take another path of life and break his parole. In the Hunger Games version, I had it set up at Snow’s scheduled execution after Snow tells Katniss that he didn’t bomb the Capitol in an attack that  killed children and her sister Prim (when it really looked like it). Why? Because the Capitol didn’t have the bombs to conduct such an attack at that scale. And that he’d have no reason to kill Capitol civilians other than as collateral damage. Not to mention, Katniss is seeing how evil Coin truly is since she tried to get her killed and wanted another Hunger Games with Capitol children. This leaves Katniss to snap and kill Coin.

“Katniss’s Soliloquy”

Sung by Katniss Everdeen

What have they done?

Sweet Jesus, what have they done?

Bombed the Capitol at night,

Blew up a bunch of children

Have they fallen so far,

And is the hour so late

That nothing remains but the cry of my hate,

The cries in the dark that nobody hears,

Here is where I stand at the ruined city here?

Was there another way to go

That didn’t lead to so many to go

My life was a war that could never be won

They made me a symbol of their revolution

But Coin wanted power and wanted me dead

For seeing me as a personal threat

Yet, how can I even forget

How that explosion killed my Prim?

An innocent like any other

She harmed no one

Nor one or another

She was girl who inspired love

Why did she die?

The girl I’ve volunteered to protect

Is now gone because I’ve tried

Take an eye for an eye!

Turn your heart into stone!

This is all they have lived for!

This is all they have known!

Always thought the evil to behold

Was only locked inside the Capitol

But Prim’s death was by the rebels

I feel my pain inside me like a knife

How could I side with such a soul,

Did I even know?

Why she wanted to take my life?

Was there another way to go?

I am reaching for my bow

And the crowd is closing in

As I stare at Alma Coin

And her vileness within

Not sure if I can kill Snow now

See my arrow pointing up

I just saw my sister die

And Coin I can’t forgive!

Note: This post might contain spoilers for those who haven’t read the books or seen the films up to Mockingjay Part 1.

Despite being the main character and the hero of the Hunger Games trilogy, I didn’t have a lot of song parodies for Katniss Everdeen. Perhaps it’s because it’s easier to do parodies for other characters singing about her. Maybe it’s due that Katniss’s story while momentous isn’t really fun by her perspective. I mean she started out as a dirt poor girl from District 12 who volunteered as a tribute for hers sister. Once she won the Hunger Games with Peeta via threatening suicide, she becomes an instant celebrity and an icon that inspires revolts in several districts. And sometime later, she’s made to take part in the Hunger Games again since the 3rd Quarter Quell is an all star edition year. Luckily she escapes to District 13 with some victors. And in the third book, she’s asked to become the Mockingjay symbol of the rebellion (and has little choice whether to accept). Nevertheless, Katniss’s life has changed so much that she’s now unsure who she is anymore.

For a parody on her state of mind at this point, I think “Who Am I?” from Les Miserables might be appropriate. Now the original has Jean Valjean thinking about whether to turn himself in to the court during a trial for a guy who’s identified as him. At this point in the story Jean Valjean is a successful factory owner and mayor of a small French town as well as a changed man. In this song he struggles between abandoning his responsibilities or violating his conscience. However, I think the trial was a scheme by Javert who automatically recognized him when he saved a guy under a cart. Now in the Hunger Games version, I have Katniss singing on whether she should be the Mockingjay and whether she is the same girl she used to be.

“Who Am I?”

Sung by Katniss Everdeen

She wants me as a tool

Should I be the Mockingjay?

Should I accept her offer

Or should I try to get away?

How is my Peeta now?

Should I try to save his life?

Will she agree to my terms

Or will she put him on the knife?

If I consent, I am a tool.

If I turn her down, I am damned!

I can give victors immunity from sentence.

And Peeta’s not free.

How can I abandon them?

How would they live

If I don’t agree?

If I agree, they may be saved

If I turn her down, I am damned!

Who am I?

My name is Katniss Everdeen

I live in District 12 and am 17

I won and was in the Hunger Games

But this year I broke out and escaped

Who am I?

The Capitol despised me for evermore

But can I ever be the girl I was before?

And must I now a symbol be

As a Panem revolutionary?

Must they die?

How can I ever face my fellow men?

How can I ever be myself again?

And how is Peeta, I don’t know

And how he’s doing under Snow?

He gave me hope when hope was gone

He gave me strength to carry on

Who am I? Who am I?

I am the Mockingjay!

And so Coin, you see it’s true

I’ll be your Jay and try to work with you!

Who am I?

Katniss Everdeen!

Poor, poor Haymitch. Now this guy can’t catch a break. I mean the guy has been through so much shit in his life that his drinking problem is completely understandable. At 15, he was reaped for the 2nd Quarter Quell where he had 47 to 1 odds as well as killed fellow tributes as well as witnessed some of their deaths. Luckily he won, but his way of winning inflamed Snow so much that he had Haymitch’s mother, brother, and girlfriend killed 2 weeks after his victory. And to make matters worst, prior to the first book, Haymitch had to mentor District 12 tributes for practically all his late teens and his adult life. And before Katniss and Peeta burst onto the scene, no tribute under Haymitch’s care has survived the Hunger Games. Considering this is the Hunger Games, it’s probably safe to say that these 46 tributes died through no fault of his own. I mean it’s a fight to the death for God’s sake.

Now I thought parodying “Holding Out for a Hero” would make a great song for Haymitch who really needs something to be happy about. The original song is from Footloose, expressing longing for a hero. It’s probably romantic in nature and usually addresses a guy. In the Hunger Games version, it’s Haymitch singing to Katniss and Peeta on how he really needs a break in his life.

“Holding Out for a Hero” (Hunger Games Edition)

Sung by Haymitch Abernathy

Why have all my tributes gone

And why they went like sods?

Where’s my street-wise protégé

To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t anyone from 12 who’s a very savvy teen?

Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need

[Chorus:]

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be strong

And they gotta be fast

And they gotta get out there alive

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be smart

And it’s gotta be soon

And they gotta be larger than life

As the Games approaches

While I try to do my best

So I won’t have to watch both of you

Having a weapon lodged in your chest

Trapped in the arena and up against Careers

It’s gonna take some miracle to get you out of there

[Chorus:]

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be strong

And they gotta be fast

And they gotta get out there alive

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be smart

And it’s gotta be soon

And they gotta be larger than life

Out in the arena there’s every danger above

When everything’s working against you

I will be following the Games at some place

Watching you

Get out of the Cornucopia fight ASAP

For it’s a quick way to die

If you want my advice

Just try to stay out alive

[Chorus:]

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be strong

And they gotta be fast

And they gotta get out there alive

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the fight

They gotta be smart

And it’s gotta be soon

And they gotta be larger than life

Now as you know, the Hunger Games is about a televised teenage fight to the death. And for many of the districts, it’s a punishment they’re forced to watch. But for the Capitol, it’s simply high quality entertainment with action, thrills, and drama. Kind of like a reality show if you like to view it that way, albeit a very lethal one. Of course, I couldn’t do Hunger Games musical parodies without including the Hunger Games Master of Ceremonies himself, Caesar Flickerman. Now he’s basically the epitome of every daytime talk show host complete with his ever dazzling white teeth. No one knows how old he is but it’s pretty clear he’s fairly up there thanks to the Capitol trend of plastic surgery. He’s also known for changing his hair color every year for the Games as well. In the first book, his hair is blue. In the second, it’s lavender. Not to mention, he also interviews the tributes as well and tries to calm their public speaking fears so they don’t lose sponsors.

For his obnoxious personality, I decided to go with “Cabaret” from the eponymous musical. Now this song is played near the end, where everything is basically going to shit. I mean the two leads break up and it’s imminent that Germany is changing for the worse (I mean it takes place in the early 1930s so what do you expect?). For the Hunger Games version, I have Caesar Flickerman talk about how he interviews tributes and how the Capitol views them as a festive occasion. Yes, it’s rather disturbing but c’mon, the Capitol’s views on the Hunger Games are, for God’s sake. Also, Caesar Flickerman needs his own song.

“Come See the Hunger Games”

Sung by Caesar Flickerman

Claudius Templesmith:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls

Welcome to the 74^th Hunger Games

And now, once again, Caesar Flickerman

Caesar Flickerman:

What good is sittin’ alone in your room

Come see some poor teens slay,

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

Come see the Hunger Games.

Put down that knittin’, the book and the broom

Time for a holiday,

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

Come see the Hunger Games.

Come see the tributes, come see the parade

Come see the slaughter, start celebratin’

Right this way, the arena’s watin’

No use permittin’ a prophet of doom

Wipe every smile away, yes

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

Come see the Hunger Games!

I am your dear emcee known as Caesar

I’ve dyed my hair a different color each year

I try to keep my interviews without a somber

So tributes won’t flub and lose their sponsors

Of course, I try to give each one a chance of winning

Despite nearly half are slaughtered at the beginning

But what’s in the arena is such a sight to see

That you never know which tribute leaves

I wonder who will come out of there this year

But perhaps we must begin the Games from here

What good is sittin’ alone in your room

Come see some poor teens slay,

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

Come see the Hunger Games

Put down that knittin’, the book and the broom

Time for a holiday,

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

So come see the Hunger Games.

And as for me,

As for me,

I’m going to meet these young teens

And hope to set their minds at ease

Start by admitting go cradle to tomb

Isn’t that a longer stay

What good is sittin’ alone in your room

Come see some poor teens slay, yes

Come see the Hunger Games, old chum

It’s only the Hunger Games, old chum

And I love the Hunger Games!

Yes, come see the Hunger Games, old chum

Only the Hunger Games, old chum

So come see the Hunger Games

Now as in any great musical, you’d have to have a romantic angle. Of course, in the Hunger Games, Katniss doesn’t seem to have much choice in her love life. In fact, if she wanted it, she wouldn’t want to marry and have kids mostly because she doesn’t want to see anyone she loves reaped for the Hunger Games when they’re teenagers. And that did happen to her little sister Prim which is why she volunteered as a tribute. However, Peeta confesses his love for her on national television in order to save her life and under Haymitch’s approval. So this leads to Katniss having to pretend to be in love with him even though they haven’t really interacted much save for the time when he gave her bread and that she’s not sure of her feelings. Not to mention, she thinks Peeta is faking it as well and it doesn’t take until the end when she realizes he wasn’t. In fact, he thought she actually liked him, especially when she was willing to spare his life when she came up with the idea of a joint suicide. And at the end of the first book he’s naturally heartbroken. However, in Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta now have to fake their romance again for the cameras as well as get married. And they willfully go along with it. Nevertheless, while Peeta certainly loves Katniss and knows it, it’s becomes increasingly apparent that Katniss might actually love Peeta and may not realize it until it’s too late.

Now for the song explaining Katniss’s feelings, I used “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The original depicts Mary Magdalene sorting out her feelings for Jesus, a man who while friendly to her, probably has bigger things on his mind like his impending death. So let’s just say Jesus basically has absolutely no time for an intimate relationship at the moment. But that doesn’t mean Mary Magdalene could have romantic feelings for him even if they don’t go reciprocated. In the Hunger Games version, Katniss has spent considerable time with Peeta to the point she basically had a tough time sleeping without him holding her in his arms. Now if that doesn’t give me indication that she’s clearly interested in him, I don’t know what does. However, she’s not the kind of person who’s aware of her own feelings since she spent so much time hunting and providing for her family. Nevertheless, this song fits and I didn’t change the words much.

“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” (Hunger Games Edition)

Sung by Katniss Everdeen

I don’t know how to love him,

What to do, how to move him.

I’ve been changed, yes, really changed.

In these past few months when I’ve seen myself

I seem like someone else.

I don’t know how to take this

I don’t see why he moves me.

I’m a fraud, I’m just a fraud.

And I’ve sworn off men before.

But now I’ve broke his heart

I’m not so sure.

Should I bring him down? Should I scream and shout?

Should I speak of love – let my feelings out?

I never thought I’d come to this – what’s it all about?

Don’t you think it’s rather funny

I should be in this position?

I’m the one who’s always been

So calm, so cool, no lover’s fool

Surviving on my own.

He scares me so.

I never thought I’d come to this – what’s it all about

Yet, now he’s said he loves me

I am lost, I am frightened.

I can’t cope, I just can’t cope.

I’ve turned my head, I’ve backed away,

Not sure I’d want to know –

He scares me so.

I want him so.

I love him so.

Of course, I couldn’t do a Hunger Games parody without including Gale Hawthorne. As you probably know Gale is Katniss’s childhood friend and hunting partner. As I said before, Katniss just views him more as a big brother/rebound guy but he’s quite handsome as you can see since he’s played by a Hemsworth. And he doesn’t really do much in the first two books besides poaching to help his family, getting brutally whipped, kissing Katniss, and saving 10% of District 12’s population during the bombings. And in Mockingjay, he distinguishes himself as a badass and intelligent military commander and soldier. However, unlike Katniss and Peeta, Gale has had no experience with direct violence prior to the Second Rebellion, nor has he been forced to kill other people or knows that everyone in the Capitol isn’t a monster. And the fact his hunting instincts lead to him depersonalize people. His impulse to rebel is driven by his hatred for the Capitol and the Hunger Games as well as his desire for revenge and victory at whatever the costs. Now Katniss and he may be similar in personality. But Katniss wonders whether Gale is going too far, particularly when he and Beetee create a bomb that plays on human sympathies by exploding and killing the rescuers. And it’s one of a few moments that drives him and Katniss apart.

Perhaps a good parody I thought for Gale would be ripping off from Les Miserables with “Stars.” Now the original is sung by Javert and basically sums up his philosophy that he is doing the Lord’s work by futile pursuit of Jean Valjean. And he vows that he won’t rest until Jean Valjean whom he thinks is damned for violating parole and stealing bread despite that most cops would have bigger things to worry about. I mean the guy really should be focused on catching other criminals. In the Hunger Games version, I have Gale swear to not stop with the rebellion until there’s victory when President Snow is as good as dead. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful song despite Russell Crowe ruining it in the movie.

“Stars” (Hunger Games Edition)

Sung by Gale Hawthorne

There, out in the Capitol

A man with a white rose

Smelling of blood

Fallen from grace

All be my witness

I never shall yield

Till we come face to face

Till we come face to face

He knows his way in the dark

Mine is the way of the war

And if we shall win this at whatever the costs

We’ll have our reward

And if some fall

Like District 12 fell

It’s not

Our fault!

Stars

In your multitudes

Scarce to be counted

Filling the darkness

With order and light

You are the sentinels

Silent and sure

Keeping watch in the night

Keeping watch in the night

You know your place in the sky

You hold your course and your aim

And each in your season

Returns and returns

And is always the same

And if you fall as District 12 fell

You fall in flame!

And so it must be for so it is written

I’ll say down with the Capitol

And those who stand within our bombs

Must pay the price!

Now let me find him

That I may see him

Deader than dead

I will never rest

Till then

This I swear

This I swear by the stars!

Note: Since this pertains to District 13, there might be spoilers for those who haven’t seen the movies up to Mockingjay Part 1 or read the books. Just to warn you.

As I’ve said before District 13 was once thought to be destroyed prior to Mockingjay but managed to survive and move underground due to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction. Or in other words, “if you nuke us, we nuke you” kind of thing that might bring upon an apocalypse of sorts. Nevertheless, District 13 specializes in nuclear technology, graphite, and weapons. And while it’s a center of rebellion and refuge as well as extremely welcoming to almost anyone, it’s not a fun place to live. Unfortunately for Katniss and anyone who’s survived the District 12 bombing (which was less than 900 of its residents), they don’t have anywhere else to go. Still, living there is like being on an underground military base, but way less fun and far more restrictive. Yet, on the bright side, they have free education up to 8th grade and all refugees can become citizens. But as far as the good stuff goes. When citizens wake up, they’re given a temporary tattoo for their personalized schedule for the day they must abide and must wear tracking bracelets on wrists. They’re also thrifty and ration food carefully that even a small thing wasted is heavily frowned upon and even minor theft can be punished by detention and/or torture. Oh, and everyone wears the same gray uniforms and sleeps in identical living quarters. Not to mention, it requires everyone to train for the military from age 14 on and everyone is addressed as “Soldier.” And they don’t allow pets either.

For a good parody on life in District 13 would be to rip off from “Knights of the Round Table” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Now the original was about how Camelot was such a great but silly place to live where they do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impeccable. Living in District 13 is nothing of the sort and I can tell they don’t eat ham and jam and spam a lot. Because they would be punished for it. But I think it would be funny to describe the miserable life of District 13 than in an upbeat and funny song. Because let’s just say their lives are so regimented and dull that they need something to entertain themselves.

“District 13’s People”

Sung by District 13

Katniss: Thirteen.

Finnick: Thirteen.

Haymitch: Thirteen.

Beetee: It’s only a model.

Plutarch: Victors, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to District 13.

District 13:

We’re District 13’s people

We work when e’er we’re able

We’ve strict routines, no chorus scenes

With tracking impeccable

We dine well here in 13

We eat our meals rationed carefully

We’re District 13’s people

Our force is so formidable

Though many times we get assigns

That are quite unbearable

We’re welcoming in 13

We’re really big fans of refugees

In war we’re tough and able

Quite indefatigable

We’re not so heft with waste and theft

And torture the uncontrollable

It’s a busy life in 13

I have to clean up the latrine

Katniss: Well, on second thought,

Let’s not go to 13, it is a silly place.

Gale: Sorry, but there’s no District 12 left.

Now like him or not, I tend to think that Peeta Mellark is one of the more underrated characters in the Hunger Games trilogy. Yes, wilderness survival skills aren’t his strong suit as you see when he’s in the Hunger Games. Yet, you can say the same for the Careers and some of the other tributes like Foxface and a girl from District 3. Nevertheless, while Peeta might be seen as helpless when he’s with Katniss during the Games, we should know that he fought out the Cornucopia bloodbath (where a significant number of tributes get killed), allied with the Careers to keep them from Katniss’s back, and telling the tracker jacker stung Katniss to run for it as he fights Cato (who’s Katniss’s biggest competition), which resulted in him getting stabbed in the leg. However, he’s not as worthless as he looks. Yes, you might think that his crush on Katniss since they were 5 might be a bit obsessive. Still, we have to understand that Peeta spent most of the first book in an utterly hopeless situation. I mean he’s basically forced to take part in an event he’s mentally unsuited for and knows it. And to make matters worse, he’s being forced to kill the girl he loves and took a beating from his mom for just to give her two loaves of burned bread. He knows he can’t kill her to save himself as well as that she stands a better chance to survive than he does. So Peeta decides to accept his fate so he can die on his own terms and make the most of his time left to help Katniss. Thus, Peeta confessed his love for Katniss on national television since it will appeal to the audience and get her sponsors to survive as well as get it out in the open because he figures that he doesn’t have long to live anyway. Let’s just say, he got more than he bargained for from that.

Now for a parody song for him, I took from “Everything’s Alright” from Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s the one where Mary Magdalene is telling Jesus to take some time off and get some rest. Yes, she might seem to fill a love interest role for Jesus but in the world of musical theater, it’s highly unusual for a male protagonist under 40 to not have a love interest or at least someone who’s romantically interested in him. Oh, and you can’t have a musical without a leading lady either. So if you’re doing a musical about Jesus, Mary Magdalene is probably your best bet even if the Lamb of God has too many pressing issues on his mind to even think about romance. For the Hunger Games version, I have it take place in Catching Fire around some time after the Victory Tour. Here Peeta is trying to calm Katniss down since she’s been waking up screaming from nightmares by holding her while she sleeps (though to keep it PG-13, there’s no sex). This soon becomes a nightly routine up until the Quarter Quell. As the book goes on, it becomes rather apparent that Katniss develops feelings for him. However, it’s closer to the end when she realizes it.

“Everything’s Alright” (Hunger Games Edition)

Mostly sung by Peeta Mellark (with some verses by Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne)

[Peeta Mellark:]

Try not to get worried

Try not to turn on to

Problems that upset you

(oh) Don’t you know

Everything’s alright

Yes everything’s fine

And I want you to sleep well tonight

Let Panem go without you tonight

If we try

We’ll get by

So forget all about us tonight

[Prep Team:]

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s all right yes

[Peeta Mellark:]

Sleep and I shall soothe you

Calm you and be with you

Hold you within my arms

(oh) Then you’ll feel

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s fine

My bread is warm and my buns are sweet

For the fire in your head and feet

Close your eyes

Close your eyes

And relax

Think of nothing tonight

[Prep Team:]

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s all right yes

[Gale Hawthorne:]

Down with those rich snobs

Decadent and so heartless

Forcing our peers to fight to the death

Now that you’ve won

They think they now own you

And threaten us if you don’t conform

Everyone’s so hungry

Everyone’s all starving

We matter more

Than their feet and hair

[Peeta Mellark:]

Try not to get worried

Try not to turn on to

Problems that upset you

(oh) Don’t you know

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s fine

And I want you to sleep well tonight

Let Panem go without you tonight

If we try

We’ll get by

So forget all about us tonight

[Prep Team:]

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s all right yes

[Katniss Everdeen:]

For years I’ve been poaching

To get some wild critters

To save my folks from their lot

Now there are uprisings

Erupting all over

And Snow wants me to tie the knot!

Why

Does he blame me?

What

Does he want from me?

Quell dissent

I can no longer do that

Now I’m screwed

[Peeta Mellark:]

Sleep and I shall soothe you

Calm you and be with you

Hold you within my arms

(oh) then you’ll feel

Everything’s alright

Yes everything’s fine

My bread is warm and my buns are sweet

For the fire in your head and feet

Close your eyes

Close your eyes

And relax

Think of nothing tonight

[Prep Team & Peeta Mellark:]

Close your eyes

Close your eyes

And relax

Think of nothing tonight

[Gale Hawthorne and Katniss Everdeen:]

Everything’s all right

Yes everything’s all right yes

Though I have done plenty of Hunger Games song parodies from popular movies and musicals, I seemed to have left one out for the two most important players in the Hunger Games, namely Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Of course, this is because I haven’t found songs I can properly parody with their characters, well, at least ones that don’t come from Jesus Christ Superstar. Nevertheless, Katniss is the hero of the trilogy who begins this story in dire poverty after her father died in a mining explosion when she was 11 and has had to support her mother and sister for years. But when her little sister Prim is reaped to represent District 12 for the 74th Hunger Games, she volunteers to go in her place. Because after all, she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her kid sister die in a nationally televised teenage death match. And then there’s Peeta, the youngest baker’s son who has dealt with an abusive family and harbored a crush on Katniss since they were 5 years old. But has only interacted with her once before when he took a beating from his mom for burning two loaves of bread that he gave to her, instead of the pigs. This while she was slowly starving to death while scrounging the Mellarks’ place for garbage. Nevertheless, unlike Katniss, Peeta was reaped for the Games and he doesn’t expect to survive because he loves her too much to bear the thought of killing her. But if confessing his love for her on national television can help her chances to win, he will certainly do so because there’s nothing he won’t do to keep her alive.

As for parody, I thought of using “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)” which is the theme of the musical Man of La Mancha. Now this song is from a musical that debuted in the 1960s and based on the 16th century novel Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes. However, just to take note, Miguel Cervantes wasn’t imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition, he was put in jail for money problems and financial irregularities in his accounts. Yeah, not stuff that’s bound to make you look like a badass. Also, it’s not a faithful adaptation of the novel either. Still, the book is a timeless classic and a parody of the stories of knightly chivalry at the time. But this song is a hero’s song and an intro song. And in this Hunger Games version, I put this during her public appearance with Caesar Flickerman who introduces her. And since she’s the hero, she gets the Don Quixote portion while Peeta gets the Sancho Panza lines. Still, Peeta’s more of a magnetic hero with a great personality and is more of a talker. However, this is mainly Katniss’s song.

“Girl Who’s on Fire (I, Katniss Everdeen)”

Sung by Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark

Caesar Flickerman:

May I set the stage? I shall introduce a girl.

Come, she’ll enter to sit with me from District 12!

Her name… Katniss Everdeen… a coal miner kid,

16 years old….possibly underweight… eyes

that burn with the fire of inner vision. At Reaping,

volunteered to take her little sister’s place. Has

used a bow and arrow to hunt to provide for

poor, starving family for years since her father’s

tragic death in a mining accident. Not particularly

attractive, but she’s seen as a rising contender

for the 74^th Hunger games… but whether she gets

out of the arena alive will be the question that

has yet to be answered. But no longer shall she

be the plain Katniss Everdeen from District 12…

but a formidable tribute known as –

Katniss Everdeen, the Girl Who’s on Fire!

Katniss:

Hear me now

Oh thou bleak and unbearable Panem,

Thou art base and debauched as can be,

And I a poor girl from 12 with her arrows and bow

Will make the odds ever in favor to me!

I am I, Katniss Everdeen,

The Girl Who’s on Fire,

My destiny calls and I go,

As I promised my young sister

I’ll try to win this time,

So I’ll survive so I’ll return home.

Survive so I’ll return home,

Into the arena I go!

Peeta:

I’m Peeta! Yes, I’m Peeta!

I do what I can so she can win.

I’ll show them they won’t own me,

I love her and hope she will live!

Katniss:

Hear me, I’ve volunteered

To save my little Prim!

Cause I know that she wouldn’t last,

But as I wear my Mockingjay pin

I promised her I’ll triumph at last!

I am I, Katniss Everdeen,

The Girl Who’s on Fire,

My destiny calls and I go,

As I promised my young sister,

I’ll try to win this time,

So I’ll survive so I’ll return home.

Peeta:

I’m Peeta! Yes, I’m Peeta!

I do what I can so she can win.

I’ll show them they won’t own me,

I love her and hope she will live!

Katniss and Peeta:

Survive so I’ll {she’ll} return home

Into the arena we go!