A Light in the Shadows

I am a sucker for a great love story. In the moment of Katniss and Peeta's first kiss I felt an overwhelming flow of emotions. Page 260 of the text covers this feeling of love that we can see and sense. When I read this part of the book I felt the sudden urge to cry; to cry because of joy; to cry because of sadness. There is so much happening in this moment. Katniss had just found Peeta rotting away in the woods with his injury. Immediately her natural bodily habitus kicks in. She begins to create a comforting space for them to stay. She tries to feed and medicate Peeta. It's in her nature to care for someone other than herself. Katniss has had to help her mother with the patients that she sees. Katniss has had to take care of Prim. She has been shaped to invest all of her love into those she cares most about. And this is exactly what she does in this situation for Peeta.

"'Katniss," he says. I go over to him and brush the hair back from his eyes. "Thanks for finding me."'
"'You would have found me if you could," I say. His forehead's burning up. Like the medicine's having no effect at all. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I'm scared he's going to die."'

This previous quote shows how Katniss is willing to do anything for those that she cares about. She cannot bear to think about losing another loved one; she already lost her father. She was willing to rescue Peeta, just like she was willing to take Prim's place as tribute for District 12. According to Rousseau's view on Romaticism, this is defying the state of nature that we all start out in. Once people become codependent on one another, bad things happen. Katniss is allowing for Peeta, and others, to be codependent on her during this state of war that they are supposed to be in to entertain the ruling government. A conflict between the government and society is seen in the romantics of the novel. The ruling of the government is unfair. Why is it that there are these KIDS fighting to the death? There is no equality seen here, or throughout the entire novel, between the government and the rest of the society of Panem. After Rousseau explains the distincition between government and the rest of society he goes on saying this, 
"These differences are of several kinds; but riches, nobility or rank, power and personal merit being the principal distinctions by which men form an estimate of each other in society, I could prove that the harmony or conflict of these different forces is the surest indication of the good or bad constitution of a State. I could show that among these four kinds of inequality, personal qualities being the origin of all the others, wealth is the one to which they are all reduced in the end; for, as riches tend most immediately to the prosperity of individuals, and are easiest to communicate, they are used to purchase every other distinction. By this observation we are enabled to judge pretty exactly how far a people has departed from its primitive constitution, and of its progress towards the extreme term of corruption."

Despite the unfairness being represented between the two classes, Katniss and Peeta work against the government. They become the star-crossed lovers officially after the world sees their unforgettable kiss. The kiss is a game changed, it is after this moment, that they realize they can play the game in their favor and get the things they need to survive, and win. 

Furthermore, right before Katniss gets the impulse to kiss Peeta, Katniss says, "I placed my fingers on his lips to quiet him," and then unthinkingly, she kisses his burning lips. I couldn't help but smile after reading this passage. Even in the darkest time of The Hunger Games, these two seek the light in each others. The symbolism of her finger to his lips can be taken several ways. I see this motion as her way of showing him that she will take care of him; that he can trust her. She is in charge now, and will not let anything bad happen to Peeta. Once again, this is the typical Katniss appearing. Also, throughout the book, the fingers to the lips is seen multiple times. It is seen when she volunteers as tribute, and multiple times during fights that Katniss is a part of. It is her symbol to her people that she won't let anything bad happen. She will stay true to who she is, and where she comes from. She will not give up.

Overall, I believe that this part in the book positions the reader to believe that whatever situation that Katniss gets herself in, she will stay true to her personal beliefs and help those who are in need. There is a light in this darkness shadowing The Hunger Games. Katniss is the light. She wraps Peeta in this light and together they conquer The Hunger Games. This part of the novel symbolizes the unity that can be formed in the times of need. Despite the fact that the government is usually ultimate, there are ways that compassion and the state of Katniss' human nature can win. After reading this part of the novel, my view on what is to happen next in The Hunger Games was more positive. I had more faith in the outcome for Katniss and Peeta. If they could get through a life threatening injury together, they can do anything.