How are Haymitch and Katniss Alike? Exploring a Trilogy Subplot that Carries Over to Sunrise: Part 1

(Author’s Note: Due to length, Part 1 below focuses on the trilogy, while Part 2 will focus on Sunrise on the Reaping.)

Though not exactly a “hot topic,” the rocky relationship between Haymitch and Katniss serves as an intriguing subplot within the original trilogy. According to authors at Reedsy and Storybilder, to name just a few, a subplot is a secondary storyline that runs parallel to or beneath the main plot, designed to enrich the main narrative. Subplots “can be as simple as a professional rivalry or as complex as a political conspiracy” (Reedsy). They allow writers to feature or explore additional themes of the novel, which might involve greater character development, relationship growth among two or more characters, or provide a more nuanced understanding of worldbuilding that supports the main plot. The growth of mutual respect and friendship that builds between Haymitch and Katniss appears to accomplish all of these things quite well. What might be less apparent is how Collins continues to unveil parallels between these two victors within her second prequel. For now, let’s return to the trilogy to recall some highlights of their contentious yet growing relationship.

Although they butt heads and trade insults from the beginning, Haymitch and Katniss gradually learn to trust and respect one another. Collins deftly weaves their lives together for character development and to compare their parallel experiences. Early in the first novel, of course, they don’t get off “on the right foot,” so to speak, viewing each other with probably some combination of distrust, contempt, and a lot of mutual misunderstanding. Katniss provides her first impression of him in Chapter 4, telling us, “I don’t know Haymitch, but I’ve seen him often enough in the Hob, tossing handfuls of money on the counter of the woman who sells white liquor. He’ll be incoherent by the time we reach the Capitol.” She seems to view him with contempt and condescension throughout the first chapters, especially for his uncontrolled drinking. Much like us at this point, she does not yet understand his traumatic past. For his part, Haymitch’s first impression of Katniss is of someone who is dislikable, arrogant, stubborn, and immature (Check, check, check, and check, she might admit). Still, he eventually comes to view her as worthy of mentoring, telling her, “All right, I’ll make a deal with you. You don’t interfere with my drinking, and I’ll stay sober enough to help you… But you have to do exactly what I say.” At this point they at least start to give each other a chance.

It is Peeta who further jolts her perception of Haymitch, though much later during the famous cave scene. “I always knew you were his favorite,” says Peeta, to which she responds, “Please, he can’t stand being in the same room with me.” (HG 259) He mutters back, “Because you’re just alike.” She decides to ignore his comment because it’s not a decent time to insult Haymitch. By this time, however, Katniss has developed a more trusting relationship with him and admits to even imagining his thoughts. When she tries to kiss Peeta, a parachute arrives with a pot of broth. She realizes, “Haymitch couldn’t be sending me a clearer message. One kiss equals one pot of broth. I can almost hear him snarl. ‘You’re supposed to be in love, sweetheart. The boy’s dying. Give me something I can work with!'” (HG 261)

This is probably one of the more endearing aspects of their growing bond, doubling as an intriguing strategy during the Games. Haymitch has been silently communicating with Katniss based on what he sends — or does not send — into the arena. She eventually connects the dots with the following revelation:

“It’s funny. Haymitch and I don’t get along well in person, but maybe Peeta is right about us being alike because he seems able to communicate with me by the timing of his gifts… He hasn’t made much effort to connect with Peeta really. Perhaps he thinks a bowl of broth would just be a bowl of broth to Peeta, whereas I’ll see the strings attached to it.” (HG 305)

By this time, their relationship has at least evolved into one of mutual trust and understanding. They are coming to know and respect one another as a collaborative team, even if neither of them is particularly warm or likable. By the time of the 75th Games in Catching Fire, Katniss even recognizes Haymitch as family. This word sneaks out of her mouth while trying to rationalize visiting him after the Quell announcement. She tells us,

I bite my lip because once he’s said it, I’m afraid that’s what I do want. For Peeta to live, even if it means Haymitch’s death. No, I don’t. He’s dreadful, of course, but Haymitch is my family now (emphasis added). What did I come for? I think. What could I possibly want here? “I came for a drink,” I say. (CF 177)

Soon thereafter, Katniss and Peeta secretly view the heavily edited 50th Games, not yet realizing how much of the truthful footage had been removed. Regardless, she gains confidence after learning more about Haymitch’s own experiences, saying, “I think I finally know who Haymitch is. And I’m beginning to know who I am. And surely, two people who have caused the Capitol so much trouble can think of a way to get Peeta home alive.” (CF 203) Not only is she better understanding Haymitch’s personality and troubled past, but she is also continuing to discover her own identity and sense of self. In one sense, Haymitch is unwittingly assisting with that journey by holding up a mirror to her face.

By the wrap-up of Mockingjay, both Katniss and Haymitch have at least admitted to themselves how they view each other as some sort of family. Perhaps they still remain too stubborn and guarded to admit as much. But Collins ultimately ends the trilogy with both of them back in 12 looking out for one another. As readers, we can see between the lines of what is left unsaid between them. On the hovercraft headed back to 12, she pointedly asks him why he is going back as well. He makes an excuse that “they can’t seem to find a place” for him in the Capitol. After some thought, she realizes he could go anywhere he wanted because he hasn’t assassinated anyone — unlike someone else we know. Forming her own conclusion, she thinks, “If he’s coming back to 12, it’s because he’s been ordered to.” She asks him bluntly, “You have to look after me, don’t you? As my mentor?” He simply shrugs in response, and Katniss realizes what he means: “My mother’s not coming back.”

Without denying it, Haymitch is thus assuming the role of a guardian or perhaps a close uncle figure. In the final few paragraphs of the Epilogue, Katniss clearly views the three of them as a family unit, saying, “We learn to keep busy again. Peeta bakes. I hunt. Haymitch drinks until the liquor runs out, and then raises geese until the next train arrives.” Just before this, she describes the memorial book they begin to assemble, thanks to some fresh parchment paper sent by Dr. Aurelius from the Capitol. She says nonchalantly, “Haymitch finally joins us, contributing twenty-three years of tributes he was forced to mentor.”

Of course, these otherwise mundane, forgettable comments now hold valuable new meaning with Sunrise on the Reaping. (Spoiler Alert!) In the prequel’s Epilogue, Haymitch reflects on how his beloved Lenore Dove has in some way grown older with him, as if she is still alive. But she tells him that he cannot join her yet because, as Haymitch tells us, “I have to look after my family.” (SOR 381) In this way Collins confirms that Haymitch likewise perceives a familial relationship with Katniss and Peeta sometime after Mockingjay. This is likely the principal reason he has returned to 12 after the revolution. Perhaps he was ordered to do so at first, as Katniss surmised. Still, his own internal reasoning was probably more emotional. He felt a sense of evolved kinship than he would not care to admit out in the open. He now had someone to care for, and to care about, once again. Through some inner voice, Lenore Dove supported and encouraged the idea to give him a valuable reason to keep on living. He admits, “I did not want to let them in, her and Peeta, but the walls of a person’s heart are not impregnable…” (SOR 381) And just as Katniss had spied Haymitch at the Hob, Haymitch reveals how he had watched his friend Burdock with his young daughter there as well.

Collins further aligns the two Epilogues even more closely, elaborating upon what Katniss tells us in Mockingjay. He does indeed raise Geese, which Collins admits in her exclusive interview for the Barnes & Noble edition that her mention of geese in Mockingjay was “not random.” She had planned in some way, at least, to return to Haymitch’s story in the future if possible. This is big news in itself, one of numerous admissions that she was long ago considering potential prequels and their characters. Now with Sunrise, Haymitch explains the former “geese” reference, as Katniss and Peeta assist with his newfound hobby. Katniss provides eggs from the forest, and Peeta assembles an incubator. Haymitch further confirms that he only dries out when the train is late, spending his time leading his geese around the Meadow as Lenore Dove once did. In these and other ways, Collins masterfully has her two epilogues essentially speaking to one another, reinforcing the post-Mockingjay storyline.

(COMING SOON: Part 2 of this discussion, focused on how Collins develops the similarities between Haymitch and Katniss within her prequel.)

Featured Image Source: Screenrant, custom artwork by Yeider Chacon