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Chapter 25
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
The after-party is held at the presidential mansion. Haymitch is locked in a giant birdcage dangling from the chandelier. Guests and sponsors pose with and feed him through the bars. Haymitch plays along because he fears what Snow will do (or has already done) to his loved ones. Plutarch and his team are filming. When no one is looking, Plutarch reports Lenore Dove is still in the Peacekeepers’ custody. Haymitch feels helpless. For the next 10 days, he’s paraded around the Capitol for interviews and parties. Finally, Peacekeepers escort him to the train station and remove the pump in his chest. It takes several hours for the train to depart because it’s waiting for Louella, Wyatt, and Maysilee’s coffins.
The Capitol crowd treats the birdcage like a joke, but Haymitch sees it for what it is: a reminder that he is still Snow’s captive. It is a literal prison keeping him from acting out during the party. Plutarch’s proffered intel suggests he’s still on Haymitch’s side, but it does little to comfort Haymitch, since the Capitol is watching his loved ones so closely. That Haymitch’s pump is only removed as he leaves the Capitol suggests it wasn’t medically benefiting him so much as it was keeping him in line under threat of being drugged. Waiting for his friends’ coffins emphasizes that, while Haymitch returns home a victor, District 12 is still collectively grieving.
Active
Themes
On the ride, Haymitch thinks of Lenore Dove and Snow’s own Covey girl. Recalling one of Lenore Dove’s forbidden songs about a hanging tree, he wonders whether he and Lenore Dove will hang together. The Peacekeepers leave Haymitch at the station in District 12 with the others’ coffins. Seeing no one, Haymitch makes his way home. Despite everything, he’s excited to be reunited with Ma and Sid. Seeing a glow up ahead, Haymitch realizes his house is on fire. People are dousing the flames to no avail. Haymitch charges in but is pulled out by Burdock, who says it’s too late: Ma and Sid are already dead. Asterid from the apothecary gives him some sleep syrup and he passes out.
Even on the train to District 12, Haymitch doesn’t really trust that Snow will let him go without some form of punishment. The thought of dying alongside Lenore Dove as a rebel is something of a comfort. But his feeling of foreboding is, unfortunately, warranted: Ma and Sid just so happen to die in a house fire as Haymitch arrives too late to save them. The timing of this trauma undeniably suggests Snow was involved and wanted Haymitch to suffer.
Active
Themes
Haymitch wakes in the McCoys’ house. Louella’s mother describes how her son spotted the fire, but the Abernathys’ cistern was dry. Haymitch blames himself. He wants to find Lenore Dove, who has a hearing at the Peacekeepers’ base today, but the McCoys insist his presence won’t help her case. Instead, he accompanies his neighbors to bury Ma, Sid, Maysilee, Wyatt, and Louella. Hundreds come out and grieve together. Burdock sings a song whose lyrics suggest they’ll be reunited with the dead one day. Afterward, Haymitch sneaks away from the McCoys before remembering his home is gone. He knows Snow killed his family for his homecoming. Burdock and Blair lead Haymitch to his house in the Victor’s Village.
Active
Themes
When his friends are asleep, Haymitch sneaks to the Covey house but finds no one. He heads to the Meadow, figuring Lenore Dove will graze her geese there once she’s released. While he waits, Haymitch contemplates running away with Lenore Dove or else leaving on his own so she’ll be safe from Snow. Hearing angry voices, he sees Lenore Dove leading her geese, followed by Clerk Carmine and Tam Amber. Her uncles sternly instruct her not to run off since she’s on house arrest. Lenore Dove just wants to be alone for five minutes. Begrudgingly, her uncles leave. Despite Clerk Carmine’s disapproval of him, Haymitch knows he and Tam Amber will keep Lenore Dove safe once he’s gone.
Active
Themes
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Lenore Dove finds the bag of gumdrops Sid delivered from Haymitch, which she must have left in the Meadow after the reaping. Haymitch runs to her. They embrace and he knows he won’t be able to leave her behind after all. Haymitch pops a gumdrop in her mouth. Lenore Dove remarks that she can eat the other ones Sid brought her now Haymitch is back—they’re at home under her pillow. Seeing these gumdrops are all bloodred, Haymitch demands she spit them out. But Lenore Dove has already swallowed one. Haymitch calls for Clerk Carmine as Lenore Dove collapses, foaming at the mouth. She tells Haymitch not to let the sun rise on another reaping before dying in his arms.
