The Butter Enigma: Why Future Books May Be Coming

(NOTE: Spoiler Alert for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

(Feature Image: An old crank-type butter churn. Source: Creative Commons, the Mallala Museum.)

There are admittedly some compelling arguments as to why Suzanne Collins’ Prequel may be her last in the series. Indicators include the unique formatting and voice of this story compared to the original series, its overall length, and the way she seems to close out the story quickly with an Epilogue that some feel is rushed. It is certainly reasonable for someone to conclude, “well, that about wraps it up for Snow”. Others wisely point to Collins’ own stated purpose for writing the Prequel, as she is quoted within a Scholastic News Room piece: “With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival. The reconstruction period ten years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days—as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet—provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity.” Having presumably accomplished her education goal with the book, some say, there may be little interest on her part—or sense of obligation— to continue the story beyond the Prequel. If this is indeed the case, then we might say to Collins and her world of Panem—in the timeless words of author Douglas Adams, “So long, and thanks for all the fish”. Or, thanks for the intriguing and thought-provoking stories, in any case.

Despite all of this, there is equally—if not more—compelling reason to suggest that the Prequel is likely just the beginning of another three-part series. Given my own, nearly-unwavering belief this is the case, the remainder of this post will attempt to make that argument. For purposes here, my entire argument is based solely on canon, the actual narrative as Collins has written it. In my mind, there are simply too many loose ends, possible clues, and strategic dialogue segments to easily suggest the series has come to a sudden crash with the Prequel. Let’s explore some of these aspects that I have identified. There are likely even more that my own literal mind has not absorbed or recognized yet. These points below are in no particular order of importance or sequence within the narrative. Although the first one is definitely in my “top five” list.

The Butter Enigma: What’s up with Maude Ivory’s fascination with butter? Readers spend quite some time at the Covey household enjoying a rather curious conversation around Maude Ivory’s love of butter, and none of this seems to connect in obvious ways to the rest of the story. In short, it is not necessary, and Collins could have provided any other conversational direction here. As Lucy Gray explains: “We promised Maude Ivory we’d try. She’s crazy for butter. Tam Amber fashioned the churn for her birthday. Guess we’ll see,” said Lucy Gray (BSS 394). It would not be unreasonable to interpret this conversation as a “sign post,” or foreshadowing, for additional connections and meanings to appear in a future book. If nothing else, the conversation may indeed point to yet another commonality that Maude Ivory seems to have with the future Katniss Everdeen: that of nightmares and thus possible symptoms of PTSD. It is likely no accident that Lucy Gray explains to Coriolanus that the butter churning exercise gives Maude Ivory something constructive to do. As she states, “But it’ll be worth it if it works. Maude Ivory doesn’t sleep well since they took me away. Seems fine during the day, then wakes up screaming at night,” confided Lucy Gray. “Trying to get some happy in her head.” (BSS 394).

Perhaps the connection between Maude Ivory and butter churning is solely meant to set up this latter conversation about her nightmares. In which case Suzanne Collins is almost certainly pointing to more similarities between Maude Ivory and Katniss. The “screaming at night” phrase simply “screams” a major connection between the two characters. Regardless of where this “butter enigma” (as I call it) actually leads, is this really the end of the story? It is difficult to believe that Collins would include such dialogue without any intention to foreshadow or provide future hints of character connections.

One final thought is difficult to dismiss outright—that of a cat named Buttercup. This seems to be the only tangible connection with butter between the original series and the Prequel. Should it turn out (as I and others suspect) that Maude Ivory is Katniss’ grandmother, then she may have passed down her love of butter to Katniss’ parents, after which Prim indirectly picks it up (or after her father’s death). Although Katniss explains on page one of The Hunger Games that Prim named him Buttercup after the “bright flower,” it is possible to imagine a connection here. Beyond that is the more direct comparison between Maude Ivory’s goat and that of Prim—first, the undeniable fact that they both have one. In a larger context, both families are attempting to survive on some form of subsistence agriculture and farm life, producing for their own consumption. This ties even more broadly into the traditional, small-farm agricultural traditions of rural Appalachia (I will stop for now with this line of discussion.)

In the interest of brevity for this post, let’s just touch on a few additional “loose ends” that seem to be pointing to future books:

• How and when does Coriolanus learn about District 13? None of that has been discussed yet, but the district is the primary reason why his family lost its fortune. They presumed that D-13 had been eliminated, and their fortune along with it. Wouldn’t he be upset if he knew the leadership of Panem had jilted his family and their fortune by not telling them the truth?
• Just who bombed the Capitol stadium? There is a good case to make that the crazy Dr. Gaul was responsible for the bombings and merely blamed it on the rebels. It was likely her first attempt to make the Games more intriguing. This is only speculation, but the mystery about the bombing in the arena remains hanging in the air.
• Perhaps most asked by readers: What happens to Tigris, and her relationship with Coriolanus? When do they experience their presumed “falling out,” and for what reasons and circumstances?
• Sejanus’ bread ritual in the Arena. His mother says it’s what they do in District 2, but we don’t learn much more than this. (Perhaps this one could be closed off here without further notice, though it seems to play a serious role in the culture of District 2 and the lives of the Plinths).
• At what point does Panem go on lockdown? There is still a lot of free movement and capitalist investment between and among the districts and the Capitol. In one respect, the Panem of the Prequel is a much more integrated, dynamic nation than what we see in the original series. The Covey may have been rounded up during the war, but people can still move around the nation, which this geographer found intriguing. Mail still moves nationally (likely delivered by train as in our own nation’s past), and the country acts more realistic with regular connections and communication. At some point the leadership clamps down on national freedom of movement and communications, but when and why? This is likely coming in a future book.
• Heavensbee Hall: This is an obvious connection to Plutarch Heavensbee, but there is no further explanation in the Prequel. Why would Collins include this tip if there was not more coming? The same could be said for Livia Cardew and her connection with Plutarch’s future assistant. Livia is prone to gloating, as we discover, and we further learn that her mother runs the largest bank in the Capitol. But the story and connections end here with her last name. What’s her future story?
• The Katniss plant: Clerk Carmine pulls up the Katniss roots by the lake and is praised by Lucy Gray for doing so. This incident could spawn a whole separate discussion over the likelihood that some serious foreshadowing is going on here (along with the entire existence of the Covey and their familiarity with the lake). Is it not unreasonable to suspect that more of this story will appear in future books?
• Why the attention on the Covey? And the specific, likely calculated dialogue written to teach readers about their physical appearances and family relations. This all likely points to a future continuation of their story and their ties to the home of Katniss.
• Arlo Chance and Lil. What was his rationale for blowing up the mine—allegedly— without any chance of starting another rebellion? And who is Lil, and why does she specifically have “olive skin and long black hair” like Katniss? This is not likely included merely to describe yet another resident of the Seam. A larger meaning and connection is likely forthcoming in a future book or books.  
• Building a herd: “Only one up when I left was Tam Amber. I told him I was going to find out about a goat. We’ve been talking about building a herd. Sell the milk as a sideline,” she said. Sounds like some subsistence farming experience building here. How might this connect to Katniss’ parents and their own experience with raising animals, hunting, and gathering plants?
• Last but not Least: What happens to the Covey? Why does Collins include the dialogue about their travels north and east (but not as far west as the Capitol)? And why did Collins insert a comment regarding the Covey’s strange mannerisms and physical appearances (Seam or otherwise)? Why bother mentioning any of this if more of their story isn’t coming? Consider, if you will, the following excerpt as just one example: “Thank you kindly. I’ll sing you a special song tonight!” . . . “I came with no other hope,” said Coriolanus. It was funny how the society talk of the Capitol seemed natural with the Covey. (BSS Ch. 26) This exchange could be interpreted as a signpost hinting that future information about the Covey is forthcoming down the road (or, in the least, this is what some of us might hope).

This list could likely be expanded through the keen observations of others. With all of this left “blowing in the wind” (perhaps like Lucy Gray), it is seriously difficult to believe that future books are not on the way.