Warning: Spoilers for Sunrise on the Reaping ahead!
Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest addition to the Hunger Games franchise by Suzanne Collins, serves as a poignant reminder of the inadequacies of a certain death in The Hunger Games series. Set during the harrowing events of the 50th Hunger Games—which crowned Haymitch Abernathy as the victor—this 2025 prequel enriches the narrative by adding depth to familiar characters and elements from Katniss Everdeen’s saga. This time, however, Collins delves even deeper into the themes of cruelty and devastation perpetuated by the Capitol.
A Stark Reflection of President Snow’s Cruelty
Suzanne Collins’ Unflinching Approach
While the ruthlessness of President Coriolanus Snow is well-established in the series, Sunrise on the Reaping amplifies this notion significantly. The heart-wrenching trauma begins with the death of Louella, Haymitch’s young friend from District 12, during the tribute parade. In a twisted move, Snow abducts another young girl, referred to as Lou Lou, and subjects her to horrific surgical modifications to resemble Louella. He implants a device that administers drugs and poison alongside a bug in her ear to feed her lines—as part of a grotesque strategy to conceal the Capitol’s failings.
The Lou Lou incident is harrowing, but the climax reveals Snow’s most atrocious act. While readers were already aware of the impending doom facing Haymitch’s partner, Lenore Dove, the method behind her demise is nothing short of shocking. Snow slyly places poisoned gumdrops in Lenore’s valley, leading Haymitch to unwittingly offer her the fatal treat. In his final moments with her, he is forced to confront the horror that it was his betrayal that led to her death. Holding his love as she fades away, the burden of guilt weighs heavily on him, urging readers to long for a vengeful resolution that Mockingjay ultimately fails to deliver.
The Overshadowed Conclusion of President Snow
Snow’s Fate: A Missed Opportunity for Justice
The concluding events of Mockingjay delivered a significant impact, yet they fell short of offering a satisfying reckoning for Snow. In an ironic twist, he dies offstage amidst a fit of laughter rather than facing the consequences of his actions directly.
Moreover, President Coin strategically leveraged the public’s collective wrath against Snow as a distraction to further her own ambitions. While many were eager to see Snow punished for his crimes, Katniss Everdeen made a crucial choice—she turned her vengeance toward Coin instead. Although this action gave a poignant twist to the narrative, it ultimately deprived readers and viewers of a cathartic resolution to Snow’s heinous conduct.
Understanding Snow’s Atrocities in Context
Deciphering Snow’s Morality through Collins’ Lens
Despite the emotional toll that Sunrise on the Reaping exacts on its readers, it stands as a critical piece of the Hunger Games narrative. This installment not only illuminates the depths of Snow’s depravity but also underscores the necessity of rebellion during Katniss’ era, reinforcing the moral lesson embodied by Coin’s execution. Clearly, Collins aimed to reestablish Snow’s character in response to the audience’s varied interpretations from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Villain prequels are becoming increasingly common in contemporary storytelling, often aiming to evoke sympathy for antagonists. However, Collins’ intention with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes starkly diverged from this trend. While the narrative provides glimpses into Snow’s troubled childhood, it ultimately illustrates his conscious choice to embrace villainy. Nonetheless, the portrayal of Snow by actor Tom Blyth did resonate with viewers, garnering him a measure of empathy, underscoring the need for Sunrise on the Reaping to reaffirm that Snow is beyond redemption.