The Hunger Games: 8 Things They Got Wrong From The Book

By Eric Morlang /

5. No Emotion For The Death Of Thresh

Throughout the novel, Katniss strives to be independent. If anyone helps her out, she feels obligated to return the favour. Whether it€™s a slice of bread or even her life, Katniss struggles with the fact that she will likely never have a chance to repay the people supporting her in the Hunger Games. However, in the film, these feelings of debt become unique to Peeta. The only feeling of debt she has surrounds the bread Peeta tossed to her as a child. The emotions are simplified, becoming an exaggerated vehicle for the film€™s love story. In the novel, after Thresh€™s face flashes in the sky, Katniss expresses deep remorse for his death. She feels trapped forever in his debt, determined to avenge his death in whatever way she can. By contrast, in the film, Katniss looks up at Thresh€™s image before calmly stating, €œlet€™s go.€ In this case, Thresh€™s death simply brings her one step closer to finishing the Hunger Games. As the trilogy continues and Katniss becomes the face of the rebellion, she recognizes the variety of support systems that exist behind her. She quickly finds herself in more debt than the average credit card holder, owing people her life. This pressure drives many of her actions as she tries to satisfy her own expectations - they€™re unreasonable expectations, but it demonstrates her desire for independence. If they hope to continue the trilogy effectively, I think they owe Thresh€™s death something more than a glance. This is a major struggle in the novel, but it€™s reduced to an anecdote for the love story in the film.