Catching Fire Theme of Courage

Nearly all the characters in Catching Fire are brave. Katniss and Peeta are ready to die for each other and are always acting rashly to defend their values. Mags and Wiress give up their lives to protect the others. Johanna calls the Capitol out, and she and Finnick risk their lives to save Peeta and Katniss. Cinna puts his life on the line to give Katniss a costume that will further incite the rebellion. Not all of the good-guy characters are great fighters or strategists. Not all of them are even on the same side. But each is capable of acts of great bravery, and each turns his or her strengths into courageous actions both in the arena and outside it.

1. What's the scariest part of the book? What makes you think so?
2. Which act in the book takes the most courage? Defend your choice.
3. Is it braver to die for someone else or to let someone you love die for you?
4. How courageous do you think the book's main characters really are?
5. Are the people of Panem mostly brave or mostly cowardly? What makes you think so?
6. Gale is eager for change and action, whereas Katniss often seems more cautious. Does that mean Gale is braver than Katniss? Or is he more ignorant? Or is it something else?