THGReadAThon DQ Part 1 "The Tributes": My Answers + Highlight Post

Hi everyone! I know many of you today are waiting for the Highlight post, but hold on a little longer. I've seen many of your awesome answers and I felt inclined as one of the host of this read-a-thon to share my piece as well. After my post, I'll announced the post that shined this week.

1. Imagine one day waking up and finding yourself in Panem. What district would you be in and why? To give you an idea, here’s the list of the 12 districts and their designated jobs.

• District 1: Luxury
• District 2: Masonry
• District 3: Technology
• District 4: Fishing
• District 5: Power
• District 6: Transportation
• District 7: Lumber
• District 8: Textiles
• District 9: Grain
• District 10: Livestock
• District 11: Agriculture
• District 12: Mining

Based on The Capitol network, I’m on District 6, which is Transportation. Not really sure about that. But if there’s one thing I’m sure about I’ll never be on District 7. People from district 7 were described to be hardworking and down-to-earth. Well, I’m the great procrastinator, so I think I’ll be persecuted in there because of my laziness. :)

2. The Reaping Day was one of the dreaded days by District 12. If you were picked that day as one of the tributes, what would be your initial reaction?

Because I am neurotic, I think I'd see my life flash before my eyes. I’d think of how gory my death would be or how long will I last on the arena. So I’d probably have peed in my pants or faint right there on the spot or probably both. 

3. You are a tribute and your mentor is planning the best strategy for you to win. What do you think will be your best selling attribute and/or skill?

I’m not sure if my lack of need of water is much of a skill. I’m not a big water drinker and I think I would likely last a day with only small sips of water. Although, I could not bet much on the climate of the arena I would be in.  I could also be a little neurotic so I think that could help me if I could work my brain in the right direction. I’m a quick study as well so I guess I could pick a sword and luckily not impale myself with it.

4. You were not picked but your sister/father/mother was, would you sacrifice yourself for them a la Katniss or would you keep your ground a la Peeta’s brothers?

Katniss lived all her life protecting and providing for her sister because her mother couldn’t. I’m an only child and I was never really been into a situation where a great sacrifice is needed. As much as I like to be as noble as her, I don't think I will do it and would likely save my own skin first.

5. Time for the first impression segment. What is the first thing that came into mind when you think of:

1. Katniss Everdeen = practical, smart
2. Peeta Mellark = soft, blonde?
3. Gale Hawthorne = rebellious, hot
4. Cinna = ingenious, has a big heart
5. Haymitch Abernathy = tactical, not what he seems
6. Effie Trinket = flighty, curious
7. Primrose Everdeen = cute, gentle
8. Caesar Flickerman = affable, jovial
9. Rue = temperate, Prim's counterpart

6. Look up. Who is the character that leaps out to you the most?  Why?

I could easily say Cinna if I was asked this question the first time I read the book. But reading it the second time somehow made me see Caesar Flickerman in a new perspective. He was definitely really helpful to the  tributes. It wasn’t much, I know and it's on his job description but it did help me warm up to him.

7. Do you think Peeta ever thought of winning The Hunger Games even if it means killing Katniss in the process? Why or why not?

I think so. Because if he wins, he’ll be able to get back to his family. Though, I think he would hesitate to kill Katniss because he has this soft, naïve part in him. I also think every human especially in these times have a self-preservation mode innate within them, and Peeta no matter how big his heart is, was never an exception to this.

8. (Refer to p. 40)  Fill in the blanks: The Peacekeepers are back too soon and Gale asks for more time, but they’re taking him away and I start to panic. “Don’t let them starve!” I cry out, clinging to his hand.

“I won’t! You know I won’t! Katniss, remember I ______” he say, and they yank us apart and slam the door and I’ll never know what it was he wanted me to remember.

Now let me tell you something, I’m on Team Gale. Ever since he was introduced in the first book, I liked his character a lot. Not because he was hot and manlier than Peeta (although, I would not deny that it did help established my position), but because I found him really mysterious. He has little exposure throughout the book but he manages to leap out to me more than Peeta. Did I already say he was attractive? Oh yeah, I did. Sorry.

So if I was to fill that up, it would be “I’m always there for you”. Not I love you, because that’s not like Gale at all. I believe Gale is not someone who’d just speak those 3 words. He’d more likely show what he feels for Katniss through his actions.

9. Most memorable/favorite scene in Part I “The Tribute”?

“At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love."

This part never fails to give me the chills. The gesture really stood out to me even after I read this the second time. 

10. I know it’s too early to say, but if there was something you want to know more about or you would want to be more elaborated, what would it be and why?

The Avox and Cinna. I want to know more about them and whether they would play a big part in the book. 

***

So now's the time to announce our Highlight Post of the week. Hmmm... Who is it from?! 

*drum rolls* 

(I'm quite enjoying this)

*still drum-rolling then... a moment of silence*

It's no other than, Mr. Book Wonder's post! The Master of Hairography really had me guffawing! Check out his answers guys! :D

PS Have you stop by on our kick-off guest post? I'm telling you it's really awesome, so do drop by. For those who still want to join, sign-ups are still open! :D


PPS There's another guest post again tomorrow, so come stop and read.