Mockingjay By Bernadette Devlin: Literary Analysis

Bernadette Devlin, an influential political activist, once remarked, “To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.” In stating this, Devlin explores a much deeper truth in that one must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve the greater goal. This statement reigns true in both life and literature. Often times, characters lose their family, friends or wealth in the process of achieving their ultimate goals. In the end, however, one must ask themselves if what they are giving up is really worth losing. For example, in the Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, the main character, Katniss Everdeen, experiences the loss of family and friends in the pursuit of taking down President Snow and the Capitol. Without her

As Peeta is freed from captivity and Katniss’ trial ends, Peeta begins to question reality from the Capitol’s manipulation. Slowly, Peeta’s memories begin to clear as he asks, “You love me, Real or not Real?” and Katniss replies, “Real” (Collins 388). In the process of fighting for freedom, Katniss almost loses one of the most important people in her life when he was brainwashed into hating her. Only then, did Katniss realize her fondness towards Peeta and that she could never live without him. After all the tragedy in her life, Katniss utters, “What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again” (Collins 388). Her dandelion is Peeta in that even through the turmoil, he is the one thing she can hold onto. In her rebellion against the Capitol, Katniss learns that freedom has a price to pay, and unfortunately the death of many innocent people, including her sister, is the