Though his kind nature resulted in him being overlooked in the books and films (as the more violent and vicious characters were often favoured by the fandom,) we love Peeta Mellark and believe that he deserves to get a bit of recognition for being the moral guide of the series and for helping Katniss through some of the darkest moments in her life.
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The Hunger Games is brimming with brutal, violent, and unpleasant characters. So, today we are going to take the time to examine and praise one of the kindest, gentlest, and most genuinely good characters in the entire series. Today, we are going to give Peeta Mellark the love that he deserves.
10. Saving Katniss Got Him In Trouble
One of Peeta's most iconic moments in the series was when he tossed a starving Katniss two loaves of burnt bread. She was dying in the alley behind his family's bakery and Peeta purposefully burnt the bread he was baking in order to give her a chance at survival.
But no good deed goes unpunished and Peeta was badly beaten for burning the bread. Though Katniss was often jealous of the life that the merchant children lived, it is important to note that Peeta, thought better off financially, did not come from a good home.
9. He Was The Moral Guide
In the same way that Prim existed to show the ways in which innocence can be used and manipulated by those who seek power at all costs, Peeta existed within the series as the moral guide. While Gale was constantly trying to lead Katniss astray, Peeta was the rock that kept her grounded.
Throughout the series, so many characters attempt to tell Katniss who and what to be; and few of those roles are healthy for her (or even safe.) He reminded her of the person that she was and the person that she wanted to be.
8. His Mother Thought He'd Die
Mrs. Mellark is not the most motherly person. She makes her dislike for her son known very early in the series when Peeta explains that his mother was excited that District 12 might finally have a winning tribute... due to the fact that Katniss was selected.
She knew that her son was being sent off to his death and all she could think about was how excited she was that another child could bring her community glory. She didn't even think her own child had a shot.
7. His Character Shows An Alternate Reaction To Trauma
Gale and Peeta exist, within the series, as the symbols of the two different paths that a person can take after a traumatic event. Gale shows a person who was hurt by the world and believes that the world owes them something in return. That he was burned so the rest of the world should go up in flames. He allows his anger to consume him and manages his trauma by planning revenge.
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Peeta, on the other hand, believes in the possibility of a better tomorrow. He believes in survival, rebirth, and the ability to make it out of the darkest places in our lives and get to the other side. By choosing Peeta, Katniss prioritizes healing over revenge and, by doing so, is able to begin the process of recovery for herself.
6. He (Briefly) Regretted Saving Katniss
After being hijacked by the Tracker Jacker venom and tricked into thinking that Katniss was a mutt that was created to destroy the world (as well as the people in it,) Peeta expressed his regret for having saved her.
As mentioned earlier, he was badly beaten for this act of kindness and while being blinded by the venom, he finds himself unable to understand why he would endure such misery for someone like her.
5. He Is Missing A Leg
Though this was not really mentioned in the films, fans of the book will know that Peeta was missing his leg after being attacked by a mutt at the end of his first games.
Though the medication that Katniss retrieved saved him from blood poisoning, it sadly had no effect on amputation via dog bite.
4. He Has One Of The Lowest Kill Counts In The Series
One of the best things about Peeta is his ability to avoid killing others in order to survive. He survived his first games by teaming up with the careers, hiding out in a river bed while disguised as a rock, and spending his days hiding out in a cave that Katniss found for him.
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He survived his second games by sticking with the team that Haymitch helped him organize and he survived the war by sticking close to those who sought to bring Katniss to the centre of the Captiol. Though there are some moments in the series where one could argue that a life was lost because of Peeta, his kill count is amongst the lowest out of those who survived the games.
3. He Saved Katniss From Herself
Though many people do ship Katniss with Gale, it is important to note that she would have never been able to find herself again after the war had she ended up with him. Gale dedicated his post-District 12 life to seeking revenge on every single person that he believed had anything to do with the attack on his previous home (and their children.) The fire that lit his passion would have consumed Katniss entirely.
Peeta was focused on finding himself and the things that made him feel human again after the war. Planting flowers to honour Prim, baking, working through his traumatic dreams, and trying to figure out what is and isn't real. His focus on reality brought Katniss back to herself and helped her navigate the new life and person that lay before her in a calm and healthy manner. Had she been left alone, she would have slowly driven herself mad with her guilt and pain.
2. None Of His Numerous Brothers Volunteered For Him
Katniss nearly knocked over several Peacekeepers on her way to protect her only sister from the games. She would have eaten the nightlock right then and there if it meant that Prim would have been safe and would never have to enter her name into the reaping ever again.
Meanwhile, Peeta's numerous brothers did not even react to his name being drawn and his mother, instead of wishing him goodbye, celebrated the possibility of a victor in the other tribute picked to represent their district.
1. He Never Fully Recovered
It is important to note that Peeta still struggled with his trauma after the end of the series. He still has nightmares, he still needs a reminder about what is and isn't real, and he will, most likely, be dealing with these things for the rest of his natural existence.
However, he does not let it prevent him from living his life and doing the things that he wants to do. He still has children, dedicates his time to his family and his hobbies, and plans on discussing the things that occurred during his youth with his kids when they come of age. He is not running. He is not angry. He is still Peeta.
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