Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

A look at Primrose from Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

By Ana A

        Katniss Everdeen, that is who the "Hunger Games" series focuses on. The Hunger Games series is a dystopian series set in the fictional nation of Panem. The Capitol holds an annual event called the Hunger Games, which the 12 districts (similar concept to USA's States) are forced to compete in. Katniss volunteers to take her sisters spot as the district 12 representative in the games and in future actions absolutely breaks the capital. Katniss begins her journey in the series as a likeable and neatly kept individual, however, by the end of the third book, she becomes insufferable. However, this isn't about her but her younger sister Primrose. 

Primrose's main focus is not on herself as many young teens have, but on others. This perhaps is her most positive quality in all of the hunger games books. After seeing many injured during the war of Panem "Prim had set up a medical area for the injured," which saved hundreds of lives (Collins 35). She would risk her life even to go out on the front lines and care for the injured, putting her own life at steak meant absolutely nothing if it meant that others would be helped. When her sister was crying about her personal problems, Prim was there to comfort her. When her mother was struggling to be a single mother, Prim was there. She helped those who were even supposed to be helping her. Despite other characters treating her like garbage, she was there for them.

        Prim even creates a sort of "soft spot" for everyone, including animals. Prim owns a cat, Buttercup, and a goat, Lady. Both animals love her dearly. Buttercup in fact only has eyes for her. Primrose has always cradled him and made sure that he was cared for, just like every other living being that she has encountered. Besides Buttercups' own name hers is "the only word that means anything to him,"(Collins 43). Lady is a different story, she is a nice easy-going goat, different from Buttercups challenging demeanor. Ladys favorite person though is still primrose. She would always allow Prim to do things to her, such as pet her, that she wouldn't allow others to do.  

        Even Prim, who is a delightful character has a negative trait. However, her many, many positive characteristics outweigh her only negative trait, her vulnerability. Prim's vulnerability greatly becomes less and less of an issue throughout the books. In the first book Primrose wants to act and help others but is limited by her age, as a 12-year-old she can't do much to help. However, as she is on the brink to turn 14 in the last book, she has worked the hardest out of her entire family and has been quite far on her journey to be a leading medical professional. Other characters acknowledge her positive qualities and mention it frequently such as even Katniss, who usually only sees the negative side in many says that Prim "has inherited the best qualities our family has to offer,"(Collins 125). At various points throughout the rest of the novel many others agree and boost this opinion. Prim is the best thing that the hunger games as gotten.