Manipulation Quotes in Catching Fire

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

One way or the other, I have a very valuable piece of information. And if they know I have it, they might do something to alter the force field so I can't see the aberration anymore. So I lie. (20.24)

Katniss constantly has to be thinking on her feet. She's always being watched, especially in the arena. Not only does she have to worry about the other players, she has to worry about the people who designed the game. The Quell isn't static; the people behind the scenes could easily tweak it to make it more difficult. So Katniss has to play dumb and try to retain her "valuable piece of information."

Quote #8

"I don't know what kind of deal you think you've made with Haymitch, but you should know he made me promises as well." Of course, I know this too. He told Peeta they could keep me alive so that he wouldn't be suspicious. "So I think we can assume he was lying to one of us."

This gets my attention. A double deal. A double promise. With only Haymitch knowing which one is real. (24.75-76)

Who is the best manipulator in this book? Haymitch certainly gives the other characters a run for their money. He tricked Peeta and Katniss both by making a "double deal" with each of them to try and save the other. By doing so, he has kept them both alive so far.

Quote #9

There was a plan to break us out of the arena from the moment the Quell was announced. The victor tributes from 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11 had varying degrees of knowledge about it. Plutarch Heavensbee has been, for several years, part of an undercover group aiming to overthrow the Capitol. (27.28)

The whole book rests on levels and layers of manipulation – nearly all the characters associated with the Games are working some kind of strategy. But this one is deeper than most, revealing a massive, long-standing plot that turns the Capitol's Games on itself and changes the entire country of Panem.