While not the longest chapter in the book, chapter thirteen is definitely very important as it includes a turning point in the Games. (Including the infamous fire seen in the teaser trailer).
Quote:
“For a while we hold each others gaze. Then, without even rustling a leaf, her little hand slides into the open and points to something above my head.”
A quick history of the Katniss plant:
Katniss’s Latin name is Sagittaria means “of the arrow”. This immediately struck me as ironic, given our heroine’s talent with archery. Katniss was a staple for Native Americans, especially in the Northwest. They dug up the root with their toes in marshy areas. Apparently it was also cultivated in Asia. Katniss has about 30 species, and, like Ms. Everdeen, is very adaptable. It can survive in 0 degrees F, a multitude of soils and either acid or alkaline environments, but it does require a lot of sunlight.
I just learned as I was writing this that Katniss has another name as well: Wapato. As it happens, I had heard of Wapato before and even eaten it! So I can tell you first hand that Katniss root tastes a bit like sweet potato, but more mealy and earthy.
(Source: http://www.homeandgardenideas.com/gardening/flowers/annuals/growing-katniss-plant)
The author definitely chose the perfect name for our heroine! I really enjoy reading this kind of information, so thank you, Larissa!
ReplyDeleteOh--am I the only one who thought Katniss (the plant) was fictional too?
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool though to know the Latin meaning of her name and the history of the plant. Suzanne Collins made a perfect name choice.
Shanan
http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com/
I knew what Katniss was only because of where I grew up (in the PacNW)and have cooked with it. My mom went through a hippie faze and we ate a lot of it along with dandelion salad LOL. I like that the author did this also. It makes it even a better teaching tool for the classroom.
ReplyDelete