(no subject)
in which I eeyore about the beach scene (sorry)
Crossposted from tumblr.
This opinion is no doubt influenced by my own personal experiences, preferences, and reading of the scene/books, but I really, really don't like the dialogue of beach scene as an expression of romance between Katniss and Peeta. For me, the constructive aspects of the beach scene lies in that it is yet another manifestation of the physical passion and connection that Katniss feels for Peeta. And I think that expression of passion is an extremely important part of the scene, given that Collins references at the end of the book when Katniss and Peeta finally end up together at the end of the book. But the stuff that happens up to Katniss's proclamation that she needs Peeta? It just leaves me cold.
Fundamentally, I think that the reason why I don't like the dialogue beach scene is that, to me, I think of their relationship as being constructive rather than destructive. From Katniss being wary of Peeta being one of those people who can root into her heart to the concluding description of the two growing back together, I love the use of plants as the key image associated with their relationship. I like to think of Katniss and Peeta thriving and drawing life and support from each other; for me, "the dandelion in the spring" will always be one of my favorite quotes. So stuff like this makes me uneasy (emphasis added):
“No one really needs me,” he says, and there’s no selfpity in his voice. It’s true his family doesn’t need him. They will mourn him, as will a handful of friends. But they will get on. Even Haymitch, with the help of a lot of white liquor, will get on. I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me. “I do,” I say.
(p. 352; Kindle Edition).
Because the thing is that even Katniss acknowledges that Peeta's family and friends will mourn him, but as epic as I think that the love between Katniss and Peeta is (and oh I do, as per my ship tag), the "being damaged beyond repair" just seems like such a red flag to me as to the sacrificial mentality that both Katniss and Peeta have embraced. If ever the two live up to their star-crossed lovers appellation, it's right there at the beach scene.
The other thing that makes me personally uneasy about the beach scene is that it seems to facilitate an erasure of Peeta's losses and his life apart from Katniss. Because Katniss is making the exact same gamble as Peeta, and no one seems to question her love for her family. I just can't decouple this part of the beach scene from this statement by Peeta in his first interview with Caesar (emphasis added):
“Once you’re in the arena, the rest of the world becomes very distant,” he continues. “All the people and things you loved or cared about almost cease to exist. The pink sky and the monsters in the jungle and the tributes who want your blood become your final reality, the only one that ever mattered. As bad as it makes you feel, you’re going to have to do some killing, because in the arena, you only get one wish. And it’s very costly.” “It costs your life,”
(pp. 20-21, Kindle Edition).
And for all that Peeta thought that he would have nothing left, I personally contrast this with Johanna's situation, who truly had no one left and was far more outwardly seditious. I'm not trying to bluesky at all Peeta's family/homelife, but even Katniss, who had minimal knowledge of his family, could acknowledge that they would mourn him. Katniss's appeal to Peeta in the propo from 12 is another acknowledgment that the loss of his family would matter to Peeta. In fact, she seems to take the initiative:
By the time we reach the town square, afternoon’s sinking into evening. I take Cressida to the rubble of the bakery and ask her to film something. The only emotion I can muster is exhaustion. “Peeta, this is your home. None of your family has been heard of since the bombing. Twelve is gone. And you’re calling for a cease-fire?”
(pp. 126-127,Kindle Edition).
And also (emphasis added):
“Why hasn’t my family come to see me?” Peeta asks.
“They can’t.” Delly’s tearing up again. “A lot of people didn’t get out of Twelve.
...
“Don’t trust her, Delly,” says Peeta in a frantic voice. “I did, and she tried to kill me. She killed my friends. My family. Don’t even go near her! She’s a mutt!”
(p. 188, Kindle Edition).
Admittedly, it's possible that part of the hijacking might have affected his perception of his family life, but even so, he wouldn't have expected to be abandoned by his family. Because even post-hijacking, he couldn't imagine being as abandoned in D13 as soon became his reality.
tl;dr: Katniss and Peeta were 17 and long-term planning was being measured in hours instead of the rest of their lives. The beach scene was awesome for showing that Peeta was the one guy Katniss really liked kissing, but it maybe isn't the greatest re how they bring out the best in each other. Long live "dandelion in the spring" and "rebirth instead of destruction!"