Throughout life, the events that people encounter can fundamentally influence change. In the Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, Katniss Everdeen, whose only priority was her family, is moulded into a symbol of rebellion representing Panem's struggling districts. Throughout the novel, the protagonist is constantly exposed to the Capitol's cruel acts representing the resentment for the Capitol's residents. This leads to the action of rebellion against the government prior to the Hunger Games and during the competition. Lastly, her beliefs about the destruction of the Capitol is reinforced by the people she meets during the novel. Katniss' actions during the Hunger Games gave the struggling districts the hope and courage to rebel against their oppressors.
Constant acts of cruelty begets resentment amongst people. In the case of Katniss, by constantly being exposed to the Capitol's cruelty, she begins to resent them. She also has an inherent understanding of the injustice caused by the Capitol and realizes that maintaining a stoic outlook protects her and her family from harm. However, as the novel progresses, her list of priorities grow along with her resentment with each new challenge she overcomes. A prime example of the Capitol's cruelty would be the "Hunger Games." The Hunger Games is the Capitol's solution to prevent further rebellions as it demoralizes the districts, "Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch- This is the Capitol's way of reminding us that we are totally under their mercy" (Collins 18).
Initially Katniss was afraid of the Hunger Games because it meant the death of her family. However, as the novel progresses, her reasons to fear the Games changes to encompass all the other families who lose someone. Another example of the Capitol's cruelty is the utter destruction of District 13. "If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you.