An In-depth Analysis of Religion and the Characterisation of Peeta Mellark as a Symbol of Christianity in The Hunger Games

By Anya (anya.reads)

I am not a Christian myself, and so most of my knowledge comes from my own research and from my education. I have done my best to be as accurate as possible, but there may still be mistakes. Please do let me know if there are any inaccuracies, and I’ll do my best to correct them!

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This is also not me claiming that Suzanne Collins intended any of the ideas I present in these slides - it is merely one interpretation of the series. I was interested in the lack of religion in the series, and so I decided to do some more research. This presentation is simply an amalgamation of said research and reading - a little project that was joyous to work on.

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Otherwise, I hope you enjoy!

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Disclaimer

Firstly, there appears to be a complete absence of religion in the series; there are no explicit mentions of religion, including Christianity. In Catching Fire, during the Victory Tour, Katniss describes a room in the Justice Building of District 11:

“Designs of fruit and flowers are carved into the moulding and small, fat children with wings look down at us from every angle.” – Catching Fire, Chapter 5

Katniss doesn’t recognise the “small, fat children with wings” to be cherubim (plural of cherub), and therefore wouldn’t know what they represent in religion (specifically Christianity due to the Western depiction of the cherubim described).

Introduction

Peeta’s Name and Bread

• “Pita” – a humble bread that originated in the Middle East is a homophone of Peeta and is very fitting for his vocation as a baker. In a country named “Panem” (which is the accusative case form of the Latin word for bread), it is not a coincidence that Peeta’s name sounds like a bread also. Furthermore, the bread in District 12 that is made by tesserae grain is described as “flat dense loaves” and may potentially resemble pita bread.

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• As a child, Peeta gives 2 loaves of bread to Katniss to save her from starving, and in turn makes her think of her father’s plant book which she can use to forage for edible plants. In effect, Peeta’s gift of the bread to Katniss saves her life. By taking in the bread, Katniss ‘takes in’ Christ as such - there’s strong eucharistic imagery in that scene.

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• His act is sacrificial as he is beaten by his mother. During the Last Supper, it is in the humble form of bread that Jesus offers himself a sacrifice of his body and blood, much like Peeta’s offer of bread to Katniss at the cost to his own body at the hands of his mother.

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‘“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”’ – Luke 22:19-20

Peeta’s Name – St Peter

• “Peter” – Peeta may be partly based on Peter or St Peter (Simon), a humble fisherman who became Jesus’ first disciple, much like Peeta who is the first to fight alongside Katniss and be her ally.
• Some have argued that, because The Hunger Games is set in a far future, the need for religion has simply ceased to exist, and that religion has naturally died out. However, it is more likely that those in charge of Panem banned the practice of religion and destroyed any remaining artifacts/contriband, as religion is a source of hope for so many people. Despite this, the name Peter has survived, albeit different in spelling. Clearly, some aspects related to Christianity have survived…

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” – Matthew 16:18

The name Peter means “rock”. In Matthew, Jesus tells Peter:

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During the 74^th Hunger Games Tribute Parade, Katniss thinks:

“I’m glad now that I have Peeta to clutch for balance; he is so steady, solid as a rock.” – THG, Chapter 5

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• Peter is famous for denying Jesus when the disciples were pursued by the Romans. This echoes Peeta’s rejection of Katniss after his hijacking and torture at the hands of the Capitol. Similarly, Simon Peter suffered at the hands of the Roman government. In the Roman empire, the Christians were rebels, but eventually become its rulers (this scenario essentially plays out in Panem, with the Capitol being the tyrannical Roman Empire and the rebels representing the Christians).

• Simon Peter was twice arraigned (a formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant) before the Sanhedrin, and directly defied them. This is reminiscent of Peeta being tribute in two Hunger Games, both times defying the capitol (the berries, his painting of Rue, etc).

Peeta’s Name – Michelangelo’s Pietà

Pietà is another homophone which links Peeta to Christianity. Pietà is Italian for pity. Michelangelo’s famous sculpture captures the moment when Jesus, having been taken down from the cross, is handed to his mother Mary. Mary cradles the dead Jesus in her arms.

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It should be noted that Mary looks incredibly youthful for having a son who was approximately 33 years old. In regard to The Hunger Games, the link to this Pietà statue rather than earlier ones highlights the youthfulness and innocence of Katniss as a carer (first for Primrose and her mother, and then for Peeta).

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Throughout the series, Katniss has a role in which she nurtures and cares for Peeta. In the first book, she tends his severely wounded leg, and quite literally cradles him as he is too unwell to do much himself. In Catching Fire, Peeta hits the forcefield and his heart stops for a while – Peeta essentially dies. Katniss cradles him afterwards, and both Peeta and Finnick are shocked at the tenderness and upset in her expression and words. In Mockingjay, Katniss helps him though the effects of his hijacking, particularly after the war.

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The Pearl

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” – Matt 13:45-46 

The pearl in the Hunger Games is much more than a simple token of love from Peeta. However, it should be noted that Greek (and later Western) culture considered pearls to be tokens of love and marriage.

The pearl has been seen as symbolizing undiscovered/unappreciated talent due to pearls being hidden away within oysters. By the time he gives Katniss the pearl in Catching Fire, Katniss has realized how much value Peeta has and how important he is to her.

Collins may have been referencing the Parable of the Pearl (of Great Price) (as quoted on the left). It is generally interpreted as illustrating the kingdom of Heaven and the sacrifices made in order to get there. Katniss describes “beauty that arose out of pain”, which clearly fits with the parable.

Peeta’s is “a merchant man” (he is quite literally part of the merchant class in District 12) who has found “one pearl of great price”, that being Katniss and the symbol of rebellion that she has become. His offer of the pearl is an offer of salvation, as he is sacrificed in a rather Christ-like fashion to save Katniss so that she can join the rebellion and bring about a better world.

Furthermore, the pearl is a sphere (or close enough) with no beginning or end, and thus can be seen as a symbol of God. A pearl’s beauty is in its luminescence – Peeta’s gift is one of love and light (things associated with God), and provides Katniss with strength and hope:

“I hold it out on my palm and examine its iridescent surface in the sunlight […] Perhaps it will give me strength in the final moments.” – Catching Fire (Ch25)

This idea (including another connection to the Parable) is continued to the end of Mockingjay, within which Katniss thinks about why she needs Peeta:

“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.” – Mockingjay (Ch 27)

During chapter 17 of Catching Fire, Peeta and Katniss head up to the roof of the Tribute Center to enjoy their remaining time together before the Quarter Quell begins.

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“By late afternoon, I lie with my head on Peeta’s lap, making a crown of flowers while he fiddles with my hair, claiming he’s practicing his knots.” (CF, Chapter 17)

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The “crown of flowers” Katniss makes is likely an allusion to Jesus’ Crown of Thorns, arguably one of the most iconic symbols relating to his crucifixion.

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Peeta’s Flower Crown

art by little-lynx on Tumblr

‘“I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you,” Peeta replies.” (CF, Chapter 17)

On the morning of Jesus’ crucifixion, the Roman soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head and mocked him. “And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head” (Matthew 27:29)

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The crown he bore signifies Jesus’ ultimate humility in trading His heavenly crown for a lowly crown of suffering and shame.

The significance of the flower crown Katniss makes foreshadows the trials and torture Peeta (our Christ-like figure) is soon to endure - in both the arena and the Capitol.

It is also worth noting that Peeta dies and is brought back to life not long after (in the arena) - similar to how Jesus was crucified and then resurrected following the crown being placed on his head.

There are many quotes in the series that are filled with Christ-like imagery in relation to Peeta and his actions. Here are just a few:

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“I think of words and I think of Peeta. How people embrace everything he says. He could move a crowd to action, I bet, if he chose to.” (CF, Chapter 9)

“Peeta can do so much better than the rest of us … And maybe it’s because of that underlying goodness that he can move a crowd - no, a country - to his side with the turn of a simple sentence.” (CF, Chapter 23) These lines remind me of the spreading of a gospel - Peeta’s words and teachings and kindness can inspire and uplift (in his case, to join the rebellion).

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“I will be more valuable dead. They can turn me into some kind of martyr for the cause and paint my face on banners, and it will do more to rally people than anything I could do if I was living.” (this also likens Katniss to a sacrificial Christ-like figure) “But Peeta would be more valuable alive, and tragic, because he will be able to turn his pain into words that will transform people.” (CF, chapter 17)

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“I drink in his wholeness, the soundness of his body and mind. It runs through me like the morphling they give me in the hospital, dulling the pain of the last weeks.” (MJ, Chapter 2)

Katniss metaphorically “drinks” Peeta in, his “body and mind”. The way it “runs through [her]” is similar to that of the feeling many Christians describe as the presence of Jesus Christ. Simply seeing Peeta has given Katniss hope and a reprieve from “the pain of the last few weeks.” At the end of the chapter, Katniss realises that “It took Peeta’s ploy for [her] to recognise it.” - “it” being that she needs to become the Mockingjay. Peeta’s presence, even through a broadcast, has helped guide Katniss onto the right path.

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“It’s only now that he’s been corrupted that I can fully appreciate the real Peeta … The kindness, the steadiness, the warmth … Outside of Prim, my mother, and Gale, how many people in the world love me unconditionally? I think in my case, the answer may now be none.” (MJ, Chapter 14) Peeta is consistently the incarnation of “unconditional” love…

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Peeta Mellark and other Christ-like Imagery

In Catching Fire, Katniss sets out, “determined, for some reason, to get to the lake.” (CF, Chapter 9) The lake in which she used to go to with her father before his death. When you consider the events of the trip, the “determin[ation]” that leads Katniss to the lake and thus results in her interaction with Bonnie and Twill feels almost spiritual, rather than simple coincidence.

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When she reaches the lake, Katniss meets Bonnie and Twill. One of them holds out an object in their glove: “It’s a small white circle of flat bread. More of a cracker, really.” In the centre of the cracker, there’s the stamp of a mockingjay - Katniss refers to it as “my mockingjay.”

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A “small white circle of flat bread” is reminiscent of that of a Communion wafer (also known as Communion/Eucharist/Sacramental bread, or simply ‘host’), which is used in the Christian ritual of the Eucharist/Holy Communion. Based on the Jesus’ gift of bread and wine at Last Supper, the communion bread is meant to symbolise the body of Christ. The bread is typically thought to be unleavened (prepared without rising agents like yeast), which certainly fits with the description of the stamped bread held by Bonnie/Twill - it’s unlikely they had yeast in their bread, similar to the “flat dense loaves” made from tesserae grain in district 12.

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In the following chapter, Katniss asks what it (the bread) is and what it means. One of the women replies, “It means we’re on your side.” (CF, Chapter 10) Bonnie and Twill have fled District 8 following an uprising. It’s significant that it’s a mockingjay stamped on the potentially Eucharistic cracker, it suggests that for Bonnie and Twill (and many others across Panem) that Katniss is a potential saviour, a Christ-like figure in her own right, with Bonnie and Twill representing her disciples and/or followers. Similar to how Katniss took Peeta’s sacrificial bread into her body and gained hope, Bonnie and Twill have their Eucharistically-reminiscent bread stamped with a symbol of rebellion - with Katniss’ mockingjay. Their interaction fills Bonnie and Twill with a renewed sense of hope and survival.

Katniss’ run-in with Bonnie and Twill

it’s also worth mentioning that Katniss gives Bonnie and Twill “two fresh buns with a layer of cheese baked into the top.” (CF, Chapter 10) which had been made by Peeta. While Katniss is simply providing the two starving women with food, her act is also reminiscent of Peeta’s gift of bread to Katniss - it’s significant that she specifically gives them bread. It may be seen as Katniss following in Peeta’s footsteps (like that of a disciple), or that she herself is a Christ-like figure.

In Catching Fire, Katniss realises that the only way to cure the effects of the poison fog (described as “pearly white”) is through the water. Katniss describes “our minds and bodies invaded by the poison”, potentially a metaphor for the pervasion of sin and a loss of innocence. There is baptismal imagery here, with the water washing away sin (the poison), and purifying her body.

“I see a milky substance leeching out of the wounds on my skin. as the whiteness diminishes, so does the pain.” (CF, Chapter 21)

There is a sense of rebirth here, as the poison leaves her skin. However, the blisters are “white”, a colour typically associated with purity, innocence, and cleanliness. The “whiteness diminishes”, potentially signifying a loss of innocence and purity. While her “body” has been purged of the poison, her “mind” hasn’t - physically she has healed but mentally, the trauma remains, and will for a long time.

Finnick, having taken the brunt of the work when helping Peeta and Katniss escape the deadly fog, is in the worst shape, and once they’re away from the fog, he lies face down on the ground. Once Katniss has relieved herself of the painful blisters, she notes that Finnick is:

“either unwilling or unable to purge himself” (CF, Chapter 21)

Typically, purging is seen in the Bible in relation to the cleansing and/or purification of one's mind and body - in other words, the eradication of sin. The fact that Finnick is either “unwilling or unable” to purge himself of his sin/corrupted past, it draws parallels to just how much of his innocence and purity has been forcefully stripped from him. He won his games at 14 years old, and not many years later was forced into prostitution in the Capitol, all while mentoring other children for the games (including his love, Annie Cresta). Finnick has had more trauma to deal with than most of the victors, and thus it may be even harder for him to be ‘healed’ as such. However, Katniss and Peeta recover enough to help Finnick, pouring handfuls of water onto his body to help him heal. Once again, it is the work of the Christ-like figures of Peeta and Katniss that help another to survive- this is true later on in the series, as Katniss and Finnick bond with each other and begin to seek each other for comfort and advice.

The Poison Fog

The numbers 12 and 13:

In Panem, there are 13 districts; most likely based on the original 13 British colonies on the east coast of North America. However, Collins’ choice in the roles each of the districts played may be of relevant to the number of said district. Of the 13 districts, only 12 are thought to be hospitable (until the war), and it is these 12 that play in the annual games. The 12 districts end up following District 13 (and Katniss) in the rebellion.

12 is an important number in the Bible; it is the number of apostles Jesus had (each one meant to represent one of the 12 tribes of Israel). There are 12 apostles following Jesus - in this case, 12 districts following our Christ-like figures of Katniss and Peeta in D13.

Furthermore, in the Bible, the number 13 represents Satan, evil, and wickedness. Alma Coin is the leader of District 13, and her connection with the darkness of the number 13 makes sense when the reader learns more about her (e.g. her proposal of a symbolic Hunger Games with the Capitol Children).

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The Hanging Tree:

While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes reveals the origin of The Hanging Tree song, the lyrics have a religious undertone- this makes some sense given Lucy Gray’s knowledge of pre-war songs that mention things like ‘heaven’ and her knowledge of the Wordsworth poem for which she is named.

Many cultures view trees as natural connections to Heaven and/or God. In the Bible, trees are mentioned many times, in relation many ideas, including both healing: “the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22 - ESV) and sin: “cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). The man “strung up” on the tree conjures up imagery of jesus’s unjust crucifixion.

Interestingly, it is the recording of Katniss singing the song that is “the first connection to [Katniss] that hasn’t triggered some mental breakdown” (MJ, Ch 15) for Peeta during his recovery.

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Other thoughts: