Gale Hawthorne

Lore & Background

In the second book, Catching Fire, Katniss returns to District 12, but their relationship cannot continue as it was, since Katniss and Peeta must play the part of lovers due to threats from the Capitol. Gale confesses his love for Katniss after she asks him to run away with her. Soon afterward, he is brutally whipped in public for hunting on Capitol land. Katniss rescues him, getting whipped on the left cheek in doing so, and then takes care of him and they share a kiss. He and Katniss prepare to fight as it becomes clear that a rebellion is about to begin. However, Katniss, along with Peeta, is selected for the Third Quarter Quell and must leave District 12 to return to the Games. Once again, Gale is forced to say goodbye to Katniss as she prepares for a fight to the death. The book ends with Katniss waking up to see Gale's face. She is extremely confused, having been in the Hunger Games, and Gale tells her District 12 is no more. In Mockingjay, Gale fights in the rebellion in an epic war. When District 12 was destroyed, Gale led approximately 10% of the population to safety. The survivors are forced to move to what is left of District 13. Once the people of District 13 are aware of Gale's heroism, they reward him with a higher ranking and a communicuff (which is later taken from him as punishment for helping Katniss).

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the pine needles of the woods, carrying the scent of snow and iron. Gale moved silently, his bow drawn tight as he scanned the treeline, not for game this time, but for the glint of a Peacekeeper's helmet. Beside him, Katniss matched his pace, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange that had sustained them through years of starvation and fear. 'They think they can break us by taking everything,' Gale whispered, his voice rough with suppressed rage. He nocked an arrow, the fletching brushing against his cheek. 'Let's show them what happens when you corner a wolf.' The forest held its breath as they stepped forward, two shadows merging into one force of nature.

Reader's Guide

Gale Hawthorne is a Seam resident boy who is two years older than Katniss and shares her hunting skill, dark hair, olive skin, and gray eyes. Through hunting, they have become best friends. Lean-muscled and handsome, Gale has caught the attention of several girls in District 12. Gale lives with his mother Hazelle and his three younger siblings (Rory, Vick, and Posy) after his father's death in the same mining accident that killed Katniss's father. Being from the Seam, Gale shares a slight resemblance to Katniss. This allows the people of the Seam to cover for his close relationship with Katniss by saying they are cousins to hide the fact that the 'star-crossed lovers' storyline with Peeta was staged, as it is presumed her closeness with someone as good looking as Gale would draw suspicion. Though their portrayal as cousins effectively satisfies the press from the Capitol, it makes both Katniss and Gale very uncomfortable on several occasions. In the second book, Catching Fire, Katniss returns to District 12, but their relationship cannot continue as it was, since Katniss and Peeta must play the part of lovers due to threats from the Capitol. Gale confesses his love for Katniss after she asks him to run away with her. Soon afterward, he is brutally whipped in public for hunting on Capitol land. Katniss rescues him, getting whipped on the left cheek in doing so, and then takes care of him and they share a kiss. He and Katniss prepare to fight as it becomes clear that a rebellion is about to begin. However, Katniss, along with Peeta, is selected for the Third Quarter Quell and must leave District 12 to return to the Games. Once again, Gale is forced to say goodbye to Katniss as she prepares for a fight to the death. The book ends with Katniss waking up to see Gale's face. She is extremely confused, having been in the Hunger Games, and Gale tells her District 12 is no more. In Mockingjay, Gale fights in the rebellion in an epic war. When District 12 was destroyed, Gale led approximately 10% of the population to safety. The survivors are forced to move to what is left of District 13. Once the people of District 13 are aware of Gale's heroism, they reward him with a higher ranking and a communicuff (which is later taken from him as punishment for helping Katniss). Towards the end of the book, his relationship with Katniss deteriorates because he feels responsible for the death of Prim, Katniss's sister (as the bombs may have been constructed by him, although both are unsure). He mentions that he would always remind Katniss of Prim's death, which Katniss silently agrees with, and the two never see each other again after President Snow's death. Afterwards, Gale decides to remain in District 2, where he becomes a captain according to a letter from Annie Cresta. Katniss believes he has long since moved on and possibly has a girlfriend now.

Did You Know?

• Gale is two years older than Katniss.
• Gale's father died in the same mining accident that killed Katniss's father.
• Gale led approximately 10% of District 12's population to safety after the district was destroyed.
• Gale was rewarded with a higher ranking and a communicuff by the people of District 13, but the communicuff was later taken from him as punishment for helping Katniss.
• Gale becomes a captain in District 2 after the war, according to a letter from Annie Cresta.

Childhood Bond in District 12

Gale Hawthorne is a Seam resident boy who is two years older than Katniss and shares her hunting skill, dark hair, olive skin, and gray eyes. Through hunting, they have become best friends. Gale lives with his mother Hazelle and his three younger siblings (Rory, Vick, and Posy) after his father's death in the same mining accident that killed Katniss's father. Being from the Seam, Gale shares a slight resemblance to Katniss. This allows the people of the Seam to cover for his close relationship with Katniss by saying they are cousins to hide the fact that the 'star-crossed lovers' storyline with Peeta was staged, as it is presumed her closeness with someone as good looking as Gale would draw suspicion. Though their portrayal as cousins effectively satisfies the press from the Capitol, it makes both Katniss and Gale very uncomfortable on several occasions.

The Mockingjay Symbolism

In Mockingjay, Gale fights in the rebellion in an epic war. When District 12 was destroyed, Gale led approximately 10% of the population to safety. The survivors are forced to move to what is left of District 13. Once the people of District 13 are aware of Gale's heroism, they reward him with a higher ranking and a communicuff (which is later taken from him as punishment for helping Katniss).

The Aftermath of Prim's Death

Towards the end of the book, his relationship with Katniss deteriorates because he feels responsible for the death of Prim, Katniss's sister (as the bombs may have been constructed by him, although both are unsure). He mentions that he would always remind Katniss of Prim's death, which Katniss silently agrees with, and the two never see each other again after President Snow's death.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Afterwards, Gale decides to remain in District 2, where he becomes a captain according to a letter from Annie Cresta. Katniss believes he has long since moved on and possibly has a girlfriend now.