Haymitch’s The Hunger Games

prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, has the chance to deliver some surprising twists by using a trope from earlier entries. Sunrise on the Reaping is set to expand the world of Panem by digging deep into the story of a prominent character who has yet to take the spotlight. Haymitch Abernathy served as the mentor for both Katniss and Peeta on both occasions when they entered the Hunger Games, but details of his life have been scarce in the series.

However, there are concrete details which have been established in the original trilogy which largely inhibit the mystery and surprises that the next novel can introduce. Audiences already know Haymitch wins, they also know he is alone, with all of his family and loved ones having been killed years earlier by President Snow. Despite these facts already defining the parameters of Haymitch’s solo outing, there is a chance for the author, Suzanne Collins, to creatively include a trope from the trilogy in order to make this entry all the more intriguing.

Haymitch’s Hunger Games Prequel Could Use The Love Triangle Trope To Its Advantage

It Could Take One Of The Most Frustrating Parts Of The Franchise And Make It A Strength

Katniss Everdeen’s love triangle plot, which saw her trying to decide between Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne, was a divisive part of the books. Then, when it was adapted with very little time or attention given to Katniss’ inner conflict in the films, it became even more frustrating as a trope that added very little to the series apart from drama. However, this same narrative device could be exactly what Sunrise on the Reaping needs to make Haymitch’s story more exciting.

As it stands, there is a guarantee that Haymitch will win the Hunger Games he participates in, only to lose his family, and his girlfriend. How much of the narrative this plot takes up is uncertain, but it wouldn’t make sense to explore Haymitch’s story and cut things short after the games end. Instead, it needs to extend to see Haymitch come home, get used to life in the Victors’ Village, and then lose everything he has to President Snow. This would also serve to connect this story with Snow’s prequel, and the sequels in a more definitive way.

How Giving Haymitch A Love Triangle Would Make Sunrise On The Reaping’s Ending Less Predictable

The Ending Is Already Decided, So The Story Needs To Mix Things Up For Haymitch

But the reason a love triangle plot makes so much sense to include in Sunrise on the Reaping is the fact that it could add to the ambiguity and mystery of the story. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes suffered from a similar fate with the story having a predetermined ending, with Snow becoming a heartless monster who would eventually rule Panem. While the story was compelling, and his connection to Lucy Gray was an interesting element, the biggest mystery of the book came from how Lucy Gray would disappear, and why Snow would turn on others.

For Haymitch, if there was only one love interest, it would lead to a similar set of predetermined story beats, with that character dying at the end. But if there was a complicated love triangle, then it would be a mystery about which character is doomed. Of course, there would still be a definitive death due to take place in the story, but this detail would make it slightly less certain, and thus, a much more exciting read.

Repeating This Katniss Story Would Draw An Intriguing Parallel Between Her & Haymitch

Katniss And Haymitch Have More In Common Than District 12

In addition, it would add another connection between Haymitch and Katniss. Haymitch spent decades as a mentor to kids who were almost certain to die in the Hunger Games. However, even before the 74th Annual Games commenced, Haymitch saw something special in Katniss that he believed could change things. Katniss is evidently a fiery and confident person who ᴀsserted her ability to win, and to survive from the start, but if Haymitch saw some of his former self in Katniss, that could add to how their stories connect, and why he changed his ways to support Katniss in training and presenting herself to the Capital.

There is already a clear connection that will appear between Haymitch and Snow, as the pair are set to come into conflict throughout the narrative, but it would be even better to lay the foundation for his future connection to Katniss. And a love triangle where Haymitch finds himself torn between two paths, only to have the future ripped away would be the perfect way to do just that. However, whether this will occur in Sunrise on the Reaping remains to be seen, but it’s certain to be a rough ride for Haymitch Abernathy in his Hunger Games solo adventure.