This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
by Kelly Allen
For fans of The Hunger Games trilogy, May 8 marks the birthday of one of the strongest female characters in fiction, Katniss Everdeen. Personally, I adore The Hunger Games. I adore Katniss and I adore the fact that I feel a deep connection with her character and everything she stands for. So it seems fitting to celebrate the fiery lady herself by compiling a list of things we love about the badass brunette. Is Katniss Everdeen your spirit animal?
1. When your loved ones are in need, you make the ultimate sacrifices. You are selfless – sometimes to a fault.
When it comes to the ones you truly love and care for, you always put them first. Remember Katniss taking a lashing to the face to protect Gale? Or the most moving part of the whole trilogy when she sacrificed herself for Prim? Like Katniss, when your loved ones are in need, you don’t care what the risks are, you take the plunge and step in when a lot of people just wouldn’t dare. But these kinds of actions can come with a price – your sacrifice often means your own happiness comes last.
2. You’re not big on waxing
In fact, you’re not big on anything that could be considered ‘feminine’. You’re far from image conscious, preferring to be comfortable, practical and ready to go at any time. You don’t feel the need to have your eyebrows plucked, you don’t want to walk around all day in heels and you certainly don’t understand the big obsession with make-up. You are much happier in your comfy well-worn boots, practical joggers and waterproof (hunting) jacket – all you need now is a bow and arrow set to sling across your back! That said, when you do get dressed up, you can seriously rock the look.
3. Sentiment is mostly lost on youIt’s not that you don’t care about people, but much like Katniss, when someone tries to tell you they love you, you just don’t ‘get it’. You need it spelled out and shouted from the rooftops, but even then you might not click that the person right in front of you is confessing their undying love.
4. You love nothing more than comfort food (preferably homemade lamb stew)
You’re big on the comfort that food provides, the knowledge that each meal will get you through another day and keep you fighting fit. You appreciate each and every meal that passes your lips and you never take it for granted.
5. You’re rebellious
Don’t like being told what to do, where to go, how to act? Remember Katniss and the apple? Instead of doing as you are told, you tend to go against the grain, without a care for the outcome. You are so used to being in charge of you that any form of discipline or management from another source causes you to see red.
6. You are the main provider
If someone in your family is ill, or you need something, no matter how far or how hard, you are the one to get it. Don’t forget Katniss and Peeta, taking the ultimate risk to get medicine back to the boy with the bread. You provide the food, the safety and you always make sure everyone is well taken care of.
7. You have trust issues
You’ve spent most of your life relying on yourself for almost everything (see above), so it’s no surprise that you find it hard to let people get close to you. Like Katniss, you’re wary of kindness, even though you give it in abundance to those you love.
8. You’re not too keen on wasps or any other stingy flying thing
It’s nothing personal, but the thought of painful hallucinations via trackerjacker … I mean, wasp attack, brings you out in a cold sweat! Anything that buzzes and stings is just one step too far, even for you!
9. Girl is on Fire by Alicia Keys plays when you walk into a room…
Well, in your head at least! You are so on fire you have your own theme tune.
10. You’re independent and capable of coping no matter what the situation
You’re a born survivor. No matter what the situation, you’re always guaranteed to make it through alive. That might sound a little dramatic, but if you’ve ever been stranded in an unknown place, missed the last train home or asked to make an important presentation at the last minute you’ll know what I’m talking about. You are the one who manages to keep calm, evaluate the situation and get through it, even if you’re a little dishevelled and bruised at the end.
Recognised a few of Katniss’s traits in yourself? Your literary soul mate might just be The Girl on Fire.
People turn to you when it all goes wrong, when they have a problem or they need to talk, and when life gets to a point that there seems to be no turning back. And the best part about it? No matter how much self-doubt you have, you always manage to save the day.