A scientific experiement (sort of) regarding The Hunger Games
So, did you see my poll? (I'll talk to myself while you look over there and vote...)
I actually just like polls, collecting data, etc. But I have another reason for creating this one, and I need you to help by commenting after you vote.
See, I've got this theory...based upon, like 4 people so far (which is why I need you). I think most adult female writers want Katniss to end up with Gale. I think most adult male writers want her to be with Peeta. (Teenagers seem to be very split, so I can't make any guesses for them...)
My husband Mark just read the first two books for the first time and is loyally supporting Peeta--with very intelligent literary arguments, I might add--while I insist that it would be betraying the readers if she doesn't end up with Gale...unless he turns out to be really her cousin or something. I argue that we've been let in on the "secret" of Katniss loving Gale and would only be satisfied if that secret love for him comes to fruition. Mark counters that we've also been let in on the secret love Peeta had for Katniss for years and it would just be depressing if they don't end up together. (I suspect he thought me very callous when I said the logical literary outcome would be for Peeta to die sacrificially like Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities...)
What do you think?
Besides that I'm crazy for blogging about something so trivial. But come on, you know you were thinking about it already. :)
I actually just like polls, collecting data, etc. But I have another reason for creating this one, and I need you to help by commenting after you vote.
See, I've got this theory...based upon, like 4 people so far (which is why I need you). I think most adult female writers want Katniss to end up with Gale. I think most adult male writers want her to be with Peeta. (Teenagers seem to be very split, so I can't make any guesses for them...)
My husband Mark just read the first two books for the first time and is loyally supporting Peeta--with very intelligent literary arguments, I might add--while I insist that it would be betraying the readers if she doesn't end up with Gale...unless he turns out to be really her cousin or something. I argue that we've been let in on the "secret" of Katniss loving Gale and would only be satisfied if that secret love for him comes to fruition. Mark counters that we've also been let in on the secret love Peeta had for Katniss for years and it would just be depressing if they don't end up together. (I suspect he thought me very callous when I said the logical literary outcome would be for Peeta to die sacrificially like Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities...)
What do you think?
Besides that I'm crazy for blogging about something so trivial. But come on, you know you were thinking about it already. :)
What I think will happen and what I want to happen . . .
ReplyDeleteI want her to end up with Peeta. He's such a good guy, sweet, loves her for her, blah, blah. But a teen wants heat, excitment, passion--that's Gale.
My guess is that in book three we will get to know Gale and by the middle will be routing for him or be as torn as Katniss will surely be.
Can't wait.
I think it will be Gale and I voted for Gale, but I also really like Peeta. Peeta rocks. I, too, wondered if he'd die.
ReplyDeleteSo curious! Super fun post!
This is too funny - I just wrote a post on this exact same subject to post next Monday (the day before Mockingjay comes out - hooray!) I'm definitely voting for Gale, but I just can't see how the story can end with a satisfying conclusion, one way or the other, someone we love is going to get very hurt.
ReplyDeleteI think Katniss actually loves Peeta and she is starting to realize just how much. I think Gale will be the one to die...
ReplyDeleteI tried to do a study a few months ago and get a wide range of results over Peeta vs. Gale, but still had a hard time coming to any regular conclusions. Opinions seemed pretty evenly split.
ReplyDeleteWhich is amazing, considering that Gale had me at hello. Until I started talking to people about it, I assumed everyone loved Gale and that Peeta wasn't even on the map.
As for who will die... well, Collins' MG series doesn't exactly end nice, tidy or happy, so I have an ominous feeling about this one. An excited ominous feeling, mind. (AHHH!) The bottom line is, I can't wait. :)
OK - first of all, this is not trivial! This is important stuff! ; )
ReplyDeleteI am a full-on Peeta supporter. I do not understand the Gale thing. At all. He has had so little "screen time". I do not feel the heat. I think she is in love with Peeta but she's too toughened and jaded from the world she lives in to even see her own feelings.
Besides, we've seen her go through fire with Peeta, over and over again. They each understand what the other had been through more than anyone else. I'm scared that one of them will die. I'm glad to know that the other series doesn't end tidily. That helps get my expectations in check.
Oops! No, they're back up again! Can't wait for 8/24!!!
I haven't read it! *hangs head in shame* I'd vote if I had!
ReplyDeleteAre you a writer? Then you MUST enter this CONTEST!
I am definitely thinking about it already! Gale all the way. It's destiny, right? Please, Suzanne, please think it's destiny too!
ReplyDeleteI voted for Gale and I'm an adult female!
ReplyDeleteFor me, I love the fact that she grew up with Gale. I love that Suzanne Collins made the choice so DIFFICULT, though. That's wonderful tension. As a writer I can appreciate it. As a reader, I HATE HER. (Just kidding, Suzanne.) :D
Go, Gale. But honestly, somebody's going to have to die. I don't see how Katniss can make a decision here without someone dying. Impossible choice for her. Classic case of demmed if you do, demmed if you don't. ;)
Amy
Thanks, you guys! Well, apparently my theory has no merit. ;) But I am seeing a trend...you Peeta supporters do have better literary arguments than I do in my support for Gale. My husband and Molly brought up a similar point: screen time. Virtually all Gale's "romantic moments" with Katniss are told in flashback...as an author, that doesn't make me feel too hopeful for Katniss's poor first love.
ReplyDeleteOh, well, I can't wait to read what happens!
I keep checking back in to see what people say. I am shocked. SHOCKED! To see so many Gale supporters. ; )
ReplyDeleteOh well, I guess I should be used to it by now. Besides, nearly ALL of my predictions about Harry Potter book 7 were wrong. So... I can probably learn from all of you. Now I want to go back and reread both books! I may JUST have time before Mockingjay comes out...
I can't wait to get my hands on this book! I so want her to end up with Peeta! Great post!
ReplyDeleteRock on, Molly Hall! I am beyond shocked to see Gale ahead in the poll. But then, only 9 votes so far, hardly statistically significant.
ReplyDeleteOK, I win the prize for most comments on a single post! I am reading Mockingjay and loving it. I will give nothing away! But YAY! It's finally out!
ReplyDeleteAnd Faith... YOU won a prize too! Come to my blog and see! Yippee!
Um, um, um...I haven't read any of these books yet.
ReplyDeleteBut I shall.