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Why Did The Hunger Games Movie Cut 1 Main Character?

Why Did The Hunger Games Movie Cut 1 Main Character? The Hunger Games films omitted a key character from the books, who carried essential themes from Katniss' tale into the prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake, despite not being named. Though Katniss and her immediate family aren't characters in the prequel, which will be adapted into a film on November 17, 2023, the narrative draws parallels to their lives in District 12. However, with a part of Katniss' family missing from the Hunger Games films, these connections may be lost on moviegoers.

Katniss Everdeen was introduced in the Hunger Games books with her complete being dedicated to nothing but survival. She didn't have time for music, rebellion, or even humanity. Katniss and her bow were responsible for taking care of her family after her father died, even though she was only 11 years old. However, this was not always the case. When Mr. Everdeen was living, they would sing songs with rebellious lyrics. Unfortunately, because Katniss' father was scarcely featured in the films, these moments were never discussed.

#1. Katniss’ Father Was Way More Important In The Hunger Games Books.


Katniss’ FatherSource: Youtube


Katniss' father was barely shown being lowered into a mine in the Hunger Games films. The subsequent explosion disclosed to viewers that he died while performing the dangerous labor required of District 12 residents, but his involvement in Katniss' story ended there. He was never referenced again, and Katniss seemed to have forgotten about him. Katniss' memories of her father, and the increased frequency with which she thought about him, showed a lot about her character in the Hunger Games books.

The Hunger Games CastSource: NPR


Katniss attempted not to think about her father early in the Hunger Games books. Her internal monologue informed readers that he had taught her how to search for and identify edible plants. (and that she should avoid things like Nightlock berries). She also reflected briefly on how he had taught her to sing, but she had come to regard this as a useless talent. However, after participating in the Hunger Games and singing one of her father's songs to Rue as she died, she started to reconsider his songs.

#2. Why doesn't Katniss' father have a name?


KatnissSource: Youtube


Even though Mr. Everdeen was killed long before The Hunger Games began, his character was crucial to the overarching plot. Despite this, he was never granted a first name. This is because the Hunger Games novels are written in the first person, with Katniss as the narrator. As a result, she referred to her parents as "mother" and "father," as many individuals do. Of course, Katniss' mother's name was revealed to be Carine Everdeen, but Mr. Everdeen stays unnamed despite his importance.

When contemplating Katniss' mental state throughout the books, the fact that she never named her father in The Hunger Games is symbolic. Katniss Everdeen was a girl who had been raised in a traumatic environment, which only worsened when she was forced to kill children to survive. For a long time, the only way she could live was to block out painful thoughts and memories, which included her father. He was a steady presence throughout the series but went unnamed to emphasize his significant absence.

#3. The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes.


The Ballad Of Songbirds & SnakesSource: Entertainment Weekly


Though Mr. Everdeen contributed significantly to Katniss' narrative in the books, the films survived without him. Something was lost in terms of the heroine's character growth, but with the limited time available in films, sacrifices must be made. However, the publication of the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes novel made his character even more significant, as several of Katniss' memories of her father were mentioned in the prequel story.

Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes introduced readers to the Covey, a group of District 12 residents who were revealed to have exceptional foraging skills and had written the songs Mr. Everdeen had taught his daughter. Furthermore, the Covey would sometimes sneak away to a hidden lake deep in the woods - a location that Katniss referred to as "her and her father's special place" in The Hunger Games. (because only they knew about it).
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