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Chapter 13
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Sunrise on the Reaping, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Authoritarianism, Surveillance, and Propaganda
Compliance vs. Resistance
Unity vs. Individualism
Music, Solidarity, and Grief
Dehumanization and State-Sponsored Violence
Summary
Analysis
Tearfully, Lenore Dove tells Haymitch she’s at the Peacekeepers’ base. She’s been arrested for playing subversive songs outside the Justice Building the night Haymitch received a one in training. Others joined in; everyone in District 12 is taking the loss of four tributes hard. Haymitch is relieved she’s only being charged with disturbing the peace instead of sedition. Still, he worries what effects his own behavior might have on her fate. Lenore Dove blames herself for getting Haymitch reaped, while he blames himself for intervening. He makes her promise to try and stay alive, regardless of what happens to him. If there’s an afterlife, he’ll wait for her there. They confess their love and the line goes dead.
Just as Haymitch feared, Lenore Dove’s tendency toward rebellion has landed her in trouble. That so many people in 12 joined her speaks to the power of music as a way to express solidarity and communal grief. Lenore Dove’s predicament makes Haymitch’s plan for the arena even riskier, since Snow has already threatened her if he doesn’t behave. Though both Haymitch and Lenore Dove blame themselves for the other’s situation, in reality they were always in danger living under an authoritarian government. As Haymitch reminds Lenore Dove, staying alive in a society that sees life as expendable is its own act of resistance.
Active
Themes
Haymitch is shocked Plutarch set up this illegal call when it could get him poisoned by President Snow. Plutarch says he needs Haymitch to trust him because he has information on the plot to break the arena. Worried Plutarch is playing him, Haymitch plays dumb. Nevertheless, Plutarch tells him the arena’s sun will rise in the east so Haymitch can navigate north as Beetee instructed. He also hints that the mutt portals that access Sub-A will be hidden in flower berms. Lastly, Plutarch tells Haymitch to disrupt the Capitol’s propaganda narrative in the Games. He believes the plan can save the country. Haymitch thinks this is a lot to ask. Effie arrives to summon them back to the other tributes.
By arranging the call with Lenore Dove, Plutarch risks his life in an attempt to convince Haymitch to trust him. This remains difficult for Haymitch, who has only known Capitol citizens to be self-interested and—often—tools for government surveillance. It’s possible Plutarch is acting under Snow’s orders and luring Haymitch into a trap. Still, Plutarch’s instructions mesh with Beetee’s general plan of heading north and descending to Sub-A via a mutt portal. His mention of the power of propaganda echoes Haymitch’s own desire to resist letting the Capitol exploit his image for their violent narrative. Plutarch believes that changing the narrative and public opinion might overthrow the Capitol’s rule, but Haymitch is uncertain he can achieve such a large task alone.
Active
Themes
Haymitch doesn’t trust Plutarch, but he assumes someone helped Beetee swap District 9’s tokens for explosives. In the library, the tributes pose for photos. Plutarch shoots footage designed to win the public’s support. While the Newcomers are “unapologetically district,” the Careers are less popular because they try to emulate Capitol society. In Haymitch’s clip, he calls them “Near Beer Careers” because they’re all pretense and no substance. Though still skeptical, Haymitch thanks Plutarch for his help. Back at the apartment, Maysilee and Wyatt confront Haymitch about going solo. He insists they shouldn’t risk themselves, since the Gamemakers hate him. Haymitch dreams of Lenore Dove’s name song, in which a man longs for his lost love, haunted by a raven.
Active
Themes
