Perhaps one of the most influential characters of recent years, Katniss Everdeen is definitely one of my all-time favourites, so it only makes sense that she features as my second Character Breakdown.
Disclaimer: This is my interpretation of Katniss, and I’m certain some people will disagree
Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
Age: 16
Body build: Medium
Eye color: Grey
Glasses or contacts: Neither
Skin tone: Slightly tanned
Hair color: Dark Brown
Type of hair: Thick
Hairstyle: Long side braid
Personality
Mood character is most often in: Sultry
Sense of humor: Only comes out with close friends and family
Character’s greatest joy in life: Hunting
Character’s greatest fear: Losing everyone that she loves
Why? Because they mean the world to her, and she and they have been through too much heart ache and suffering already.
What single event would most throw this character’s life into complete turmoil? Someone she loves being chosen at The Reaping.
Character is most at ease when: Gale Hawthorne
Priorities: Her family, but most importantly her little sister Primrose
Life philosophy: To keep her family fed and healthy
Past
Hometown: The Seam, District 12
Type of childhood: Hard, especially following her father’s death. Katniss had to grow up very quickly, taking care of her mother and sister.
Pets: None
Finances: Very poor
Present
Current location: The Seam, District 12
Currently living with: Her mother and younger sister Prim
Pets: Prim’s cat Buttercup, who Katniss hates
Occupation: Student and Hunter
Finances: Very poor
Family
Mother: Mrs. Everdeen
Relationship with her: Not very close
Father: Mr. Everdeen
Relationship with him: Very close, until he passed away
Siblings: Younger sister Primrose
Relationship with them: Katniss is very protective of her sister, in the vain hope that Prim will not have to deal with some of the things she has had to deal with.
Traits
Optimist or pessimist? I actually find this one hard to answer. In a way, I think that she’s been built to naturally expect the worst, but another part of me wants to say that she’s an optimist seizing opportunities.
Introvert or extrovert? Introvert, in the sense that she’s been built to hide her emotions and keep predominantly to herself.
Daredevil or cautious? Noting the situations she finds herself in, especially as a hunter, I’d say she’s a daredevil.
Logical or emotional? Definitely logical. Katniss doesn’t express her emotions and certainly doesn’t let anyone see them.
Disorderly and messy or methodical and neat? Methodical and neat: you have to be as a hunter
Prefers working or relaxing? Working, I actually can’t imagine Katniss relaxing.
Confident or unsure of himself/herself? Confident.
Animallover? Only if it’s edible!!!
Relationships with others
Does the character hide his/her true opinions and emotions from others? She hides everything from everyone, and has learnt to look stoic and mean-faced.
Person character most hates: Anyone connected to The Capitol
Best friend(s): Gale Hawthorne and Madge
Love interest(s): None really, although it’s clear that Gale has feelings for her
Person character goes to for advice: Gale
Most important person in character’s life before story starts: Primrose
After story starts: Primrose
Analysis: Katniss is a strong character, not because she’s physically capable – although, of course she is – but because she has to be strong, for the people that she cares about. She’s so desperate to protect Primrose for the life that she herself was forced into by the death of her father, and her mother’s response to his death, that she can’t bear the idea of Prim’s life being the same.
Despite her strength, I love the fact that Katniss is completely flawed. She isn’t perfect and never tries to be.