Among the hopeless faces rises a hero of unlikely countenance. A natural hunter. A survivalist. She sports a razor-sharp aim, a handy skill to kill a pheasant from a hundred feet. And she gives of herself to fight in the blood-soaked Hunger Games. Meet Katniss Everdeen, this week’s Women Who Wow Wednesday‘s champion.
They come from the twelve Districts of Panem. Sacrifices to a totalitarian nation bent on keeping its ideals intact. The uprisings years ago created The Hunger Games, a warped kind of Olympic circus where contestants, tributes rather, fight to the death for the enviable bragging rights as winner.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is District 12’s female Tribute.
From a humble family, Katniss lives a gray life where the girls wear plain dresses, and food comes to the table as a scarce commodity. But she’s done well for the family, providing meat in times of hunger and joy in times of sorrow. Her mother, and her sister, Primrose, are the ones who provide her the strength she needs to survive anything that comes her way.
When she becomes a representative for her district, she knows what it means. She understands that of the twenty-four tributes, only one will survive the maelstrom of violence perpetrated by the other tributes to each other.
She does have hope, though. Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) accompanies her to the games as the male tribute chosen for her district. Together they have the sometimes-inebriated Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), who acts as their counsel dispensing the most valuable advice he could give:
“You need to get people to like you.”
The colors of the Hunger Games’ tribute parade betray the nation’s corrupt soul. Katniss’ fiery entrance with Peeta may have inspired Panem to great heights, but from deep within the celebrations may lie a dormant state waiting to unleash it’s fury on those who have captured their freedom.
Katniss may be the answer to the dystopian nightmare. Her keen ability to survive coupled with her endearing way with the people could prove as a formidable force for the authorities to quench. Her love for others caps off a perfect amalgam of qualities sought after in every leader on the cusp of greatness.
If Katniss has taught us anything, it’s that no matter how bad things get, things always get better.
What do you think of Katniss Everdeen?
Looking to God 