Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 2018, Dir. Ol Parker

I cannot overstate how significant the theme of “the garden” is to The Hunger Games series.

Of course, for many people, alluding to “the garden” puts them in mind of the biblical Eden, and I believe this is entirely intentional. Eden is a place of dignity and of peace. Adam and Eve are expected to do two important tasks: care for the garden, and be fruitful themselves. Many a Christian theologian has therefore proposed that humanity’s original vocation was to be gardeners: and not only in the literal weeding and planting sense, but in sense of cultivating life and beauty. The narrative goes on to describe how humans reject that original calling (re: “great gift for self destruction”) and are exiled from Eden — but, perhaps unsurprisingly, the garden imagery doesn’t go away. Throughout the rest of the Bible, garden imagery is now used in anticipation of a future restoration of human dignity and peace. So what does this have to do with The Hunger Games? Well, let’s take a stroll through Panem’s gardens, shall we?

We’re going to start in the Everdeen home. I confess, I’m going to begin by stretching the metaphor a little, but stay with me. When Katniss wakes up, the other side of her bed is cold, because Prim is missing. But usually, we would assume, they sleep together: two girls with flower names clustered together in the same bed. How appropriate: Mr. and Mrs. Everdeen have created a miniature garden in their two daughters. Is it any wonder that restoration comes, in many ways, from this garden bed?

But there are more obvious examples of “flower power.” Peeta recognizes Katniss’s dignity and gives her new dignity and hope by giving her bread. His generosity gives her the push she needs to find yet another garden and maintain her own dignity in the face of poverty: this time, in the wild expanses of dandelions she and Prim gather for sustenance. And like Katniss herself, Peeta is now identified, from that point forward, with flowers. Both katniss and dandelion are flowers that can grow rampant if left unchecked once they lay down roots.

This is precisely what Katniss and Peeta do, like invasive weeds: only their invasion forces radical dignity onto Snow’s manicured, artificial rose lawn. Katniss explicitly states the beautifully dangerous nature of kind people and uses the metaphor of “rooting.”

Katniss’s burial of Rue (another botanical name) in flowers is a striking example of this radical compassion. It is not so much that Rue’s death is shocking to the people watching: it is Katniss’s reaction, stubbornly insisting upon Rue’s dignity in the face of evil, that sparks rebellion. And how does she do it? With a handmade garden cradling Rue’s body. The impact of Katniss’s garden blossoms beyond the forest where Rue died: to Thresh, and to all of Panem.

Other images in the first book include Katniss, on the verge of death in the arena, finding water among the yellow lilies, and Peeta picking flowers (well, wild onion tops) for her along the train tracks. The first image is one of restoration, but the second is an inversion of what we expect. We expect Peeta’s offering to signal a peace in their relationship, and it is jarring when the opposite occurs.

If garden imagery in The Hunger Games is most concerned with human dignity, in Catching Fire, we most clearly see the garden as a place of peace. Katniss and Peeta are most at peace when they work together on the plant book, that sunlit bedroom a small Eden unto itself. On the rooftop, in the garden, as Katniss toys with a flower chain, Peeta wishes he could stop time, and live in their fragile peace forever. Peeta also gets his own “Rue” moment with the morphling. Now, it’s not the morphling’s death scene that gives us flower imagery, but the scene that prefigures it does: when Peeta and the morphling paint (yellow, again) flowers on Katniss. Joined together with this stranger by the act of “tending a garden” as it were, Peeta is able to give her a sense of peace in her final moments.

In Mockingjay, the garden is an image of restoration. One of the very few beautiful images we see in 13 is the image of the green bird sipping nectar from an orange blossom in the meadow room. I’ll leave it up to you to read into those particular colors. Quite literally, the bird is engaging in restoration of its energy, but the picture restores Katniss’s spirits, even if for only a moment. Appropriately, the story concludes with a garden as well: Peeta once again taking on the mantle of gardener to make a memory garden for Katniss. Seeing the primroses gives her the spark to destroy Snow’s unnatural rose and reclaim her dignity and her peace yet again. It is only fitting that the last image we see of Katniss and her family is in the meadow. Despite their fears, our protagonists have been fruitful: the children are more than “a happy ending.” They are a reclamation of the original garden purpose. To be sure, it is not a true idyll. Katniss is keenly aware of the bones on which it grows, but that is not where she takes comfort. She takes comfort—though her children take it for granted—in the book, and in the words of the song that speak of a “soft green pillow” and “daisies” guarding from harm. In a way, imperfectly, “Eden” has been regained.

thinking about how the hunger games were designed to prove that without society, order, government, someone to rule, we devolve into little more than animals, and how the games themselves prove over and over again that this is not true. We see it in every single game we witness.

Katniss placing flowers around Rue's body in the arena. Thresh sparing Katniss because she was kind to Rue, even though he was making it that much harder for himself to win.

Haymitch going back for Maysilee after hearing her scream even though their alliance had been broken. Haymitch holding her as she dies the same way Katniss did Rue.

Coral's "I can't have killed them all for nothing" when she realizes she's not going home. Lamina cutting down Marcus at great personal risk. And, my favorite moment in tbosas, Reaper collecting the bodies of his fellow tributes, his peers, even the ones who tried to kill him, into a pile. Taking the weapons from their hands. Closing their eyes and crossing their arms in the best approximation of a proper burial he can manage, covering them with the Capitol flag as a makeshift shroud.

The Games bring out the worst in people, yes. But despite the extreme circumstances, despite the exterior pressure of the Capitol, despite the fact that it could mean pain and heartbreak and death, it also shows that people have an enormous capacity for goodness. That even in a situation purposefully designed to make empathy impossible, people can't help but have it anyway.

Snow looks at the Games and all he can see is what's inside himself-- this pure animalistic drive to conquer and defeat. He kills and it feels good and he thinks that everyone else must feel that way too. He doesn't realize (maybe can't realize) that he is the exception, not the rule. He cannot see outside himself, outside his own warped perspective, to realize that the fact that people do show humanity in the games proves his entire worldview wrong.

Anne With an E Masterlist

Gilbert Blythe

Imagines coming soon

Billy Andrews

Imagines coming soon

Charlie Sloane

Imagines coming soon

Moody Spurgeon

Awae Rewrite

You are new to Avonlea, but what would it be like if you weren’t the target like Anne was in the first 2 season?

Pairing : Gilbert x Reader, Billy x Reader

Seasons: 3

Coming fall 2022!

The most iconic cats snaps of 2018

KATNISS AND PEETA’S OUTFITS: BOOK ONE

I started this series with “interview before the games” and finished book one’s outfits with “interview after the games” (let’s say that was intentional). When I started (that was September 2020) I was sure I would finish this series very quickly. Lol. I still nowhere near the end. But at least “Hunger Games” is done! That was painful to look at my first illustrations (some of them I had to redraw completely) and I needed to make it look like a series so I fixed some things. I tried to do this “fixing” not very dramatic at some cases (like the first interview one, which I still kinda like, but I completely changed the way I draw Peeta since then so I didn’t know what to do with him lol) but hell, sometimes I thought it was easier to redraw everything. And I think I would have done if I wasn’t so lazy and always tired and I actually really want to draw new stuff. So here it is, all at once. All the (described at least in one word) Everlark Outfits from the first book!

THE REAPING

To my surprise, my mother has laid out one of her own lovely dresses for me. A soft blue thing with matching shoes. <...> “Of course. Let’s put your hair up, too,” she says. I let her towel-dry it and braid it up on my head. <...> the elaborate braided hair my mother did for the reaping <...> silky braids. / chapter 1 /// We know nothing about Peeta’s clothes. But I assume it should be something like this. Casual. Classic. Light brown/beige.

THE TRAIN

I peel off my mother’s blue dress and take a hot shower. I’ve never had a shower before. It’s like being in a summer rain, only warmer. I dress in a dark green shirt and pants. At the last minute, I remember Madge’s little gold pin. For the first time, I get a good look at it. It’s as if someone fashioned a small golden bird and then attached a ring around it. The bird is connected to the ring only by its wing tips. I suddenly recognize it. A mocking jay. <…> I fasten the pin onto my shirt, and with the dark green fabric as a background, I can almost imagine the mockingjay flying through the trees. <…> I put the green outfit back on since it’s not really dirty, just slightly crumpled from spending the night on the floor. <…> I slept in the elaborate braided hair my mother did for the reaping and it doesn’t look too bad, so I just leave it up. / chapter 3 /// Again we know nothing about Peeta’s outfit, but. But ok, it must be something casual and comfortable soooo… sweatpants?

THE OPENING CEREMONY

I am dressed in what will either be the most sensational or the deadliest costume in the opening ceremonies. I’m in a simple black unitard that covers me from ankle to neck. Shiny leather boots lace up to my knees. But it’s the fluttering cape made of streams of orange, yellow, and red and the matching headpiece that define this costume. Cinna plans to light them on fire just before our chariot rolls into the streets. <…> My face is relatively clear of makeup, just a bit of highlighting here and there. My hair has been brushed out and then braided down my back in my usual style. <…> Despite this morning’s revelation about Peeta’s character, I’m actually relieved when he shows up, dressed in an identical costume. / chapter 5

TRAINING

When I’m dried and moisturized with lotion, I find an outfit has been left for me at the front of the closet. Tight black pants, a long-sleeved burgundy tunic, and leather shoes. I put my hair in the single braid down my back. This is the first time since the morning of the reaping that I resemble myself. No fancy hair and clothes, no flaming capes. Just me. Looking like I could be headed for the woods. It calms me. <...> Haymitch and Peeta come in, bid me good morning, fill their plates. It makes me irritated that Peeta is wearing exactly the same outfit I am. I need to say something to Cinna. This twins act is going to blow up in out faces once the Games begin. <...> “One last thing. In public, I want you by each other’s side every minute,” says Haymitch. We both start to object, but Haymitch slams his hand on the table. “Every minute! It’s not open for discussion! You agreed to do as I said! You will be together, you will appear amiable to each other. Now get out. Meet Effie at the elevator at ten for training.” <...> The other tributes are gathered in a tense circle. They each have a cloth square with their district number on it pinned to their shirts. While someone pins the number 12 on my back, I do a quick assessment. Peeta and I are the only two dressed alike. / chapter 7 /// To be honest the previous version was a lot closer to book description (more tight pants and shoes obviously made from leather and here there are just leather sneakers), but hell, Cinna, Portia, what was wrong with you when you’ve created training outfits? Tight pants? For sword training?! Long sleeve? It’s damn July!

INTERVIEW BEFORE THE GAMES

The team works on me until late afternoon, turning my skin to glowing satin, stenciling patterns on my arms, painting flame designs on my twenty perfect nails. Then Venia goes to work on my hair, weaving strands of red into a pattern that begins at my left ear, wraps around my head, and then falls in one braid down my right shoulder. They erase my face with a layer of pale makeup and draw my features back out. Huge dark eyes, full red lips, lashes that throw off bits of light when I blink. Finally, they cover my entire body in a powder that makes me shimmer in gold dust. <...> I can feel the silken inside as they slip it down over my naked body, then the weight. It must be forty pounds. I clutch Octavia’s hand as I blindly step into my shoes, glad to find they are at least two inches lower than the pair Effie had me practice in. <...> My dress is entirely covered in reflective precious gems, red and yellow and white with bits of blue that accent the tips of the flame design. The slightest movement gives the impression I am engulfed in tongues of fire. <...> The dress hangs in such a way that I don’t have to lift the skirt when I walk, leaving me with one less thing to worry about. <...> Peeta looks striking in a black suit with flame accents. While we look well together, it’s a relief not to be dressed identically. / chapter 9

ARENA

Cinna does my hair in my simple trademark braid down my back. Then the clothes arrive, the same for every tribute. Cinna has had no say in my outfit, does not even know what will be in the package, but he helps me dress in the undergarments, simple tawny pants, light green blouse, sturdy brown belt, and thin, hooded black jacket that falls to my thighs. “The material in the jacket’s designed to reflect body heat. Expect some cool nights,” he says. The boots, worn over skintight socks, are better than I could have hoped for. Soft leather not unlike my ones at home. These have a narrow flexible rubber sole with treads though. Good for running. I think I’m finished when Cinna pulls the gold mockingjay pin from his pocket. I had completely forgotten about it. [Katniss] + a bright orange backpack. + silver sheath of arrows and a bow, already strung [Peeta] + I agently unzip his jacket, unbutton his shirt and ease them off him. + I hand Peeta my knife, since whatever weapons he once had are long gone, and he slips it into his belt. / chapter 10 thank goodness this one was already redone lol

VICTORY CEREMONY

Cinna comes in with what appears to be an unassuming yellow dress across his arms. <…> slips it over my head. I immediately notice the padding over my breasts, adding curves that hunger has stolen from my body. <…> Venia helps me into a pair of flat leather sandals and I turn to the mirror. I am still the “girl on fire.” The sheer fabric softly glows. Even the slight movement in the air sends a ripple up my body. By comparison, the chariot costume seems garish, the interview dress too contrived. In this dress, I give the illusion of wearing candlelight. <…> My hair’s loose, held back by a simple hairband. The makeup rounds and fills out the sharp angles of my face. A clear polish coats my nails. The sleeveless dress is gathered at my ribs, not my waist, largely eliminating any help the padding would have given my figure. The hem falls just to my knees. <…> He looks so clean and healthy and beautiful, I can hardly recognize him. But his smile is the same whether in mud or in the Capitol and when I see it, I take about three steps and fling myself into his arms. He staggers back, almost losing his balance, and that’s when I realize the slim, metal contraption in his hand is some kind of cane. <…> His shirt is made of the same yellow material as my dress, but Portia’s put him in long black pants. No sandals, either, but a pair of sturdy black boots he keeps solidly planted on the stage. / chapter 27

INTERVIEW AFTER THE GAMES

When Cinna comes in, he shoos them [prep team] out and dresses me in a white, gauzy dress and pink shoes. Then he personally adjusts my makeup until I seem to radiate a soft, rosy glow. <…> Then Peeta’s there looking handsome in red and white, pulling me off to the side. / chapter 27

Ummm is there Anne and Gilbert smut fics? With the kind of beautiful words that Anne loves to use?? Thank you sm for doing this for us!!!!

There absolutely are! Here are the ones in my bookmarks! There will be AUs probably thrown in there because sometimes it's easier to write them banging it out in a setting that won't land them married lol. (There are varying levels of smut in these, so heed the tags and warnings listed by the authors. All the E stuff is the second half of the list).

we can follow the sparks (i'll drive) by peterpan_in_neverland

Hot Men in Kilts by Jacqualine

Ineffable Chemistry by jacksparrow589

cardigan by h0lyheadharpies

you and I, let's make the headlines by the_strangest_person

Flashover (n.) by peterpan_in_neverland

your loving is gold by Anonymous

Little Gifts by The_lazy_eye

The Mile High Club by xxPrettyLittleTimeBombxx

The Balm to my Weary Soul by orayofsunshine

Your Best Look by Electric-amp (Ohmygodnighttroll),

Confined by The_lazy_eye

A Summer Storm by WeirdTea

I Wanted To Kiss You Goodnight by xxPrettyLittleTimeBombxx

love is a uniting and binding force by illuminatiny (fleurdelilitu)

my girlfriend, who lives in canada by botanyclub

Willow by coffee666

Thunderstorms by coffee666

step into your skin (i'd rather jump in your bones) by swishandflickwit

Dear Mrs Gardner by BeckyBubbles

the hottest scandals don't always make the front page by the_strangest_person

i just want you (to take me where your heart is) by strayycatss

there's too much love by Anonymous

better than I do by Anonymous

In The Empire Of Thy Heart (Where I Should Solely Be) by RosalieBlack

For Your Eyes Only by xxPrettyLittleTimeBombxx

The Anatomist by botanyclub

The First Rule of Retail by The_lazy_eye

Moonlit, Starstruck by jacksparrow589

thy love is sweeter than wine by illuminatiny (fleurdelilitu)

Mercy by The_lazy_eye

disasters in modern comings-of-age (the party don't start till i walk in) by brothmobile

I Love Thee to the Depth My Soul Can Reach by cherry_knots

Milk by lollercakes

i love making incredibly niche spotify playlists

"Don't lie to people" is all very good until u remember how funny it is to give the wrong birthday to an astrology person and have them go "that explains so much abt you

a love like playlists:

lorelai + luke: "I just like to see you happy.“ (gilmore girls)

marianne + connell: "They’ve done a lot of good for each other. Really, she thinks, really. People can really change one another.” (normal people)

dexter + emma: "Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I’ll always remember it.“ (one day)

evie + dylan: "Finding love… It’s all heartbreak and disappointment and misery. Until it isn’t.” (love sick)

celiné + jesse: "Isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?“ (before trilogy)

jess + nick: "I fell in love with Jess the minute she walked through the door.” (new girl)

sam + suzy: "I think you’ve still got lightning in you.“ (moonrise kingdom)

katniss + peeta: "What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.” (the hunger games)

morticia + gomez: "I would die for her. I would kill for her. Either way, what bliss.“ (the addams family)

lol + woody: "I can’t be with anyone else.” (this is england)

bobby + shelly: "I’m gonna give you everything you want.“ (twin peaks)

chidi + eleanor: "I was dropped into a cave, and you were my flashlight.” (the good place)

robin + barney: "When I let a day go by without talking to you… that days just no good.“ (how i met your mother)

jackie + hyde: "If I like her, shoot me.” “POW.” (that 70s show)

elena + damon: "Promise me this is forever.“ "I promise.” (the vampire diaries)

hermione + ron: "You’re amazing, you are.“ (harry potter)

rose + the doctor: "How long are you going to stay with me?” “Forever.” (doctor who)

gastby + daisy: "Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed like a flower and the incarnation was complete.“ (the great gatsby)

Yeah Katniss Is Lucy Gray’s greatest revenge on snow

But Peeta is how she haunts him. 

Katniss is Lucy’s anger. She’s the retribution. 

Katniss is fire. Katniss used her songs as a warcry. As a call to arms. 

Katniss is the fight. 

Katniss is the revenge. 

Peeta is Lucy’s kindness.  He’s the reminder. 

A boy in love with a songbird. A boy obsessed with with a victor from twelve. 

Peeta is the good that Lucy was. Peeta believes in that fundamental kindness Lucy gray did. Peeta is her memory. The reminder that Snow crossed that line into evil. 

Even after being high jacked, peeta warns people. He tells them to flee the danger. Run like Lucy did. 

Peeta knows how to hide. He can disappear in the woods. 

Just like Lucy did. 

Peeta is charismatic, someone the capitol fell in love with, like they did with Lucy. 

Peeta is the memory. 

Katniss was there to end Snow, to stop him to make sure everything he built was burned. 

Peeta was there to torment him. Be the ghost of Lucy. Make sure Snow was in pain over the woman he lost.