Sacrifice as a theme in the Mocking Jay

Since the first book of the hunger games series, sacrifice has been a major theme. The theme of sacrifice is first displayed when Katniss volunteers to be a part in the games so that her little sister, Prim, doesn't have to risk her life. Katniss does this because she knows she has a better chance of surviving the games than her little sister does. Many would think that after Katniss completed the games for the first time her huge display of sacrifice would be over. Throughout the series and in the Mocking Jay, Katniss' sacrifice does not cease. The cruel government brings her back into the games and uses her to convince the citizens that the games aren't really as bad as they seem and that they are neccessary. Katniss becomes the governments spokeswoman throughout the novel. As the Hunger Games grows increasingly out of control Katniss is forced to convince more people that it is a just cause. Katniss is even forced to try to convince people to make the same sacrifice that she has made. Every new character introduced in the series has to give something up or make a huge sacrifice. Whether the sacrifice is moving, a change of career, a loss of family or even death, the act of sacrifice throughout the citizens doesn't stop. It is sad that most characters we come across make the largest sacrifice of all for the games, their life.

The Mocking Jay as a Symbol

The Mocking Jay is not only the name of this novel but it is also a very important symbol. The mocking jay is a type of bird. To be more specific the Mocking Jay come from a type of bird called the JabberJay. The Jabberjay was created by the capitol to be used as spies on the districts mainly during revolution. The Jabberjay served its purpose until the citizens realized what the birds really were and fed them false information. The capitol no longer had any use for the birds so they were set loose, they mated to create the Mocking Jay, a bird that couldn't record and listen to information but instead sing a constant beautiful tune. Since every word that Katniss says is what the Capitol wants her to say she is just like the Mocking Jay. She must repeat others words other than her own. Katniss first becomes associated with the Mocking Jay when she wears the pin to signify her as a fighter in the hunger games. Even the bird is unable to do so, throughout the novel, Katniss eventually finds her own voice and can speak out. The Mocking Jay also symbolizes the rebels. Technically under the type of government the rebels live under, there should be no such thing as rebels. This being said, just like the mocking jay, the rebels were supposed to die off. But they didn't they kept fighting and being persistent just how the Mocking Jay was while mating and staying alive. Katniss embodies very simmilar characteristics to the Mocking Jay and thats why one of the symbols of the Mocking Jay is Katniss.