Figures of Speech

"But today, despite the bright banners hanging on the buildings, there’s an air of grimness. The camera crews, perched like buzzards on rooftops, only add to the effect" (Collins 24). 

_________

Collins uses a simile here, comparing the camera crews to a type of bird that Katniss has hunted. In this figure of speech, she is helping the reader imagine how the camera crews appear like spectators. Since this is taking place on Reaping Day, the reader can visualize how the camera people are looking for entertainment for the Capitol, rather than caring about the effects on the people of District 12.

"His body is familiar to me — the way it moves, the smell of wood smoke, even the sound of his heart beating I know from quiet moments on a hunt —but this is the first time I really feel it, lean and hard-muscled against my own" (Collins 55).

__________

In this example, Collins uses imagery to describe Katniss' perception of Gale. Before she leaves for the games, she is able to say goodbye to him. Collins uses this imagery to demonstrate how Katniss is taking in every moment before (possibly) never returning. It is as if she is trying to memorize Gale using her senses. This allows the reader to understand how important Gale is to Katniss.

"My father’s voice comes back to me. 'Not these, Katniss. Never these. They’re nightlock. You’ll be dead before they reach your stomach'" (233). 

__________

At this point in the novel, Katniss and Peeta have been surviving in the Games and are hoping to make it to the end together. While they bicker over food, Katniss has this moment of Flashback where her father warns her about the berries. Collins uses this moment to give the readers a glimpse of Foreshadowing of the future events of the novel. Collins informs her readers of the importance of these berries. It provides context for the end of the novel, when Katniss pulls nightlock out of her pocket and offers some to Peeta. This moment acts as a clue for the ending of the games later in the book.