Does Gale have a sadistic streak, or is he merely willing to be ruthless?

Question

There are two particular incidents that I was thinking of in particular. First was his comment to Katniss prior to the first Hunger Games that killing people in the Arena wasn't really all *that* different than just hunting animals.The second was his invention of bombs designed to maximize casualties. In particular, he designed a bomb with two blasts: one to kill/injure people and a second, delayed explosion so that when people rushed in to help the wounded it would kill them, too. Even after Katniss confronts him about this, he rationalizes it and doesn't appear to show much remorse about its potential effects.At a minimum, these seem exceptionally callous. What accounts for his willingness to be so ruthless and to show such an indifference to the suffering of others? Is he sadistic, or is he merely willing to be ruthless?

Answer 1

There are many possibilities here. First, you have to consider the way that these people grew up. It was an environment that causes resentment. So, his rationale is often resentful and bitter. Katniss is not immune to this. She is often cold and unfeeling. I would actually say that they are plagued by the opposite experience to trauma in the book.

Gale is passionate, resentful, angry and focused.

Katniss is aloof, cold, empty and disinterested. She has difficulty connecting in reality.

Gale even points to this in the book where he discusses how she will pick whomever is best for her and not based on any "love" or "passion".

So, basically they are two sides of the same coin. They represent two reactions to bad experiences.

I hope you enjoyed my analysis. Maybe you should join a book club to talk about this stuff and read books. Might find you enjoy it! Have fun!

I didn't see the movies, so forgive me if you are referencing those. Although, I have heard about them. I am just not a movie person. I do try, but considering I fell asleep to the Avengers, I think my husband has given up on me. :D