"Catching Fire" Discussion Questions & Section Summaries

In these chapters of Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins’s latest installment in The Hunger Games triology, Katniss and Peeta embark on their victory tour. President Snow pays a visit to Katniss to let her know that he is watching her behavior, and he expects her to continue the story that her and Peeta are in love in the beginning of The Hunger Games sequel. Here are some Catching Fire discussion questions.

How does President Snow’s visit affect Katniss’s plans to leave District 12?
What internal struggle is Katniss having since she and Peeta won the Hunger Games?
How has life changed for Katniss, her mother, and her sister, Prim?
What about for Gale? Even though he wasn’t in the Hunger Games, his life has changed. How is it different? Why did his life change?
What do Peeta and Katniss witness in District 11?

Chapters Six through Nine:

The Hunger Games trilogy has the reputation for being very emotional because readers are so attached to the characters. This section of Catching Fire may be hard to read when Gale is beaten, and more Peacemakers are moving into District 12 because the characters are so real and likable. These questions talk about emotions and feelings readers may experience in this dramatic section.

How does Katniss react when she sees Gale being beaten? Why is this dangerous for her, her family, and Gale?
Why is Gale being punished? What do you think of this punishment and the reason for it?
Haymitch is more likable in the beginning of The Hunger Games sequel than he is in the first book. Find two examples where Haymitch is acting out of concern for Peeta and Katniss or where he seems more likable.
Why does Katniss leave her home and go into the woods?
What does she find there? And what surprises her about what she finds?

Chapters Ten through Fifteen:

Chapter ten starts part two of Catching Fire. Suzanne Collins titles this section, “The Quell.” You learn that The Quell is a special Hunger Games that occurs every 25 years, and the Capitol always makes special rules for it. In this Hunger Games sequel, Katniss and Peeta are preparing to mentor tributes for the 75th annual Hunger Games, or the third quell. However, they learn some shocking news that no one was prepared for, so use these Catching Fire discussion questions to talk about it.

What is different about the fence when Katniss tries to return home? How does she solve her problem?
How do you feel about the information that Katniss learns in the forest? Do you believe the two people? Does Katniss?
Why do you think the fence is different? Do you think the Capitol knows what she is doing?
Explain the special rules for this year’s Hunger Games, The Quell, and how the rules will affect Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch.
You finally learn about Haymitch and his experience in the arena. What was different about his year as a tribute? Why do you feel like he has a problem with alcohol? How else could he solve his problems?

Chapters Sixteen through Eighteen

Peeta and Katniss are in the Capitol with Haymitch and Effie in this section of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Katniss makes a discovery about one of the Avoxes, and she becomes very upset. They are also training for the games and causing trouble for the gamemakers. Answer these Catching Fire questions about this section:

Who is one of the Avoxes assigned to help the tributes from District 12? How does seeing him affect Katniss?
What does Haymitch want Katniss and Peeta to do with the other tributes. Do you think this is a good idea given what you know about The Hunger Games book one?
What does Katniss write on the dummy during her session? Who is this person and why is this shocking to the current Gamemakers?
What does Cinna turn Katniss into during her interview? What do you think will happen to Cinna? Would you have acted like Cinna even if you would have to risk punishment?
Explain what happens at the end of part two. How is Katniss feeling about the events that are about to unfold?

Chapters Nineteen through Twenty-three

In this section, which begins part three, of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, the Quell has started, and the Gamemakers have made the arena worse than ever. Tributes are dying, and no one knows who to trust.These Hunger Games are even worse, if possible, than the ones in The Hunger Games book one. Here are some Catching Fire questions to discuss these difficulties.

Why are these tributes different from other years?
What is Katniss and Peeta’s strategies during this year’s Hunger Games?
Would you trust the people that Katniss and Peeta are trusting? Why or why not?
What has Wireless figured out about how the arena is set up? Do you agree with her? What is the evidence to support her claim?
Once the arena configuration is figured out, will it be easier or harder for the tributes to survive?

Chapter Twenty-Four to the end

The ending of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins has a twist that some readers may be able to predict, although many may find it a shock and surprise, just like the ending of The Hunger Games book one. Discuss the twist with these Catching Fire questions.

How do the jabberjays torture Katniss and Finnick?
How does Peeta and Katniss’s relationship grown in this section of Catching Fire?
What is Betee trying to do with the wire and the lightning strike? Does it work? Why or why not?
What is the twist at the end of the novel? Were you surprised? What do you think will happen in the last book of the Hunger Games trilogy?
Does Katniss have a right to be upset with Haymitch? How would you feel?

This post is part of the series: Reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

If you or your class is reading “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins, then you are enjoying a terrific young adult science fiction sequel to “The Hunger Games.” This series of articles will help you understand the book and look deeper into the pages of “Catching Fire.”

Novel Study Guide: Themes in Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Discussion Questions for “Catching” Fire by Suzanne Collins
Quotes from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire