Independent Reading Response - Mockingjay

The book Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is an inspiring book, and the inspiration sprouts from an important symbol. In the first book, Katniss, the main character's found a mockingjay pin. She gave it to her sister Prim before the reaping. And when Katniss ended up attending the Hunger Games, Prim gave it back to Katniss. Katniss kept it with her the whole way, to have Prim (the only thing she ever loved) with her. Katniss soon wore it on herself. To the people it was a symbol of hope, a chance to fight back for the ones they love, and that's all Katniss ever wanted to do.

In this book, she is the mockingjay. She's a role model to all the rebels. With that strength she fights back as a symbol of inspiration to protect the ones she loves. In the text, she says, "Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!" She's leading a war, and she's determined to win. She wants everyone to understand that they have the power to win. It's how powerful a symbol can be when used correctly, and Katniss understands this.

The reason the mockingjay is an inspiration is because of what it represents. It represents all the young teens and weak people that Snow tortured and killed. Snow created the Hunger Games to show the power they have by killing off thousands of humans. Mockingjays repeat musical whistles they hear, and Rue a contestant in the games whistled it, but died too quickly. She was important to Katniss, and the ones who loved her. It quickly became a symbol of hope. In the book, Katniss and her team put the rebellion to action with this. In the text, Fulvia said, "Little Rue from Eleven or old Mags from Four. The idea being that we could target each district with a very personal piece."

In conclusion, the mockingjay is a very important symbol in the whole series. The author really wanted us to understand this because it is constantly mentioned. Since the very beginning of the series, to the very title of this sequel. I also notice that with each book cover, the mockingjay becomes free to fly, healed from a deep wound of an arrow. I don't know how this book will top the depths, that the other two books went to, though. Hopefully this symbol will help Katniss and everyone win the toughest Hunger Games right now, the fight for a safe future, free of poverty and problems with power.