Something that stands out to me now that I look back and really question my perspective on each character using a hero lens is how I view Katniss and Peeta differently now. Before, I never questioned who was a true hero in the story and always had assumed Katniss because of the amount of work she had done in the arena for both Peeta and herself, and her willingness to go into the games for her little sister. However as we go back and discuss these two characters, it becomes clear to me who the true hero really is. For me it is Peeta and it is because of Peeta’s morals and intent behind his actions.
Katniss throughout the whole games is focused entirely on survival, especially because of the situation she came from. She grew up in an impoverished region where survival was the day to day life and there simply was no time to think about anything else. She carried this mindset with her into the arena and one could argue in a way that it makes her selfish. She only cares for Rue because of how she can relate to Rue and her struggles. However, Peeta went into the games with more than survival on his mind. In his mind, he was aware of his situation and he knew that his chances of getting out of those games were very slim. What made him such a hero is how he wanted to stay true to himself and show the people of Panem his identity. To Peeta, this meant saving and doing whatever he could for Katniss because Katniss was his love. While Katniss may have been surviving for her family, it was not out of noble intentions like Peeta but simply because she wanted to live and she wanted to live for her family. Peeta took a moment to stop and think about the legacy he wanted to leave behind and that is what makes him a hero. He wanted to be more than just a piece and he showed himself in the Hunger Games despite the limitations of his situation.