15 Reasons Gale Hawthorne is the Real Villain of The Hunger Games

The film adaptations of franchises aren’t lacking in villainous characters, yet they show us that even heroic figures sometimes make questionable decisions. In the harsh environment of Panem, survival often necessitates difficult choices, and some individuals allow these circumstances to erode their moral compasses more than others. Gale Hawthorne is an example of such a character, as he becomes increasingly ruthless due to his grim surroundings.

Gale, who used to be Katniss Everdeen’s dearest friend and closest ally, loses track of what truly matters and frequently misunderstands her point of view. His sarcastic remarks towards Peeta Mellark, the other suitor for Katniss’ affections, and his readiness to accept war’s harshness make him a risky and sometimes dislikable character. Ultimately, it seems that Katniss chooses Peeta over Gale, possibly due to Gale’s poor attitude and apparent lack of concern for people’s lives.

He Let His Anger Get the Best of Him

Eventually, Gale embodies the outcome of a person raised in a harsh and unjust atmosphere. Initially portrayed as the primary guardian of Katniss and her family, he evolves into desiring vengeance against those who harmed his District, regardless of their identity. Essentially, he metamorphoses into the antagonists who initially caused him harm.

As a movie critic, I find this character transformation plausible theoretically; however, as Gale becomes increasingly volatile, it becomes challenging to connect emotionally with him given the full narrative context. This is particularly true when we consider his actions, which seem callous and uninformed, much like Effie Trinket’s obliviousness.

His Actions Weren’t Those of a True Friend

Prim’s demise stands out as one of the most poignant and contentious incidents in the Hunger Games series for two main reasons: Firstly, Prim’s death represented what Katniss had initially intended to avert when she volunteered herself. Secondly, the explosive device that claimed Prim’s life was crafted by Gale, someone who was thought to be on Team Everdeen.

Indeed, it’s a heavy truth that Gale constructed the bomb, and yet, he failed to express empathy or reach out to Katniss about her emotions. Instead, he exhibited an outburst due to his belief that this hindered his prospects of courting Katniss at that time. However, what Katniss required wasn’t a suitor but a friend to offer comfort during her mourning period.

He Never Learned to Properly Deal With His Emotion

Time after time, I found myself convinced that Gale seemed less interested in bringing about genuine change in the world and more fixated on exacting revenge against those who had wronged him. What’s more, he didn’t just save his anger for his adversaries; instead, he frequently belittled and mistreated peers like Peeta, whom I observed he treated abhorrently due to his feelings towards Katniss.

It’s understandable that these actions weren’t entirely out of place during the events portrayed in “The Hunger Games.” After all, it’s not surprising he struggled to keep his feelings in check, given the man dating his crush. However, this doesn’t diminish his appeal to fans, as every other young character in the movie wasn’t necessarily model behavior either.

He Consistently Made Her Life More Difficult

Over the course of the trilogy, Katniss Everdeen endured some of the toughest ordeals imaginable. On multiple occasions, she was close to death, witnessed numerous gruesome fatalities among her peers, emerged as an influential figure for many young people, and ultimately took a life in a public spectacle.

Yet, Gale opted not to fully comprehend these circumstances, frequently complicating matters for himself. Amidst her struggles with the aftermath of the Hunger Games, his emotional immaturity became evident. The public finds it hard to forgive him for persistently asking for her love when she was barely capable of contemplating it herself.

His Dehumanizing of Capital Citizens Is Lamentable

When Katniss’ preparation team is transferred to District 13 for her preparations, one member, Octavia, secretly takes a piece of bread, resulting in them receiving harsh punishment from the authorities, including severe beatings. In a conversation with Katniss about this incident, Gale suggests they deserved the punishment due to being citizens of the Capitol. Katniss argues that they were unaware of District 13’s rules because they grew up under different moral standards and were stealing food to stay alive. Unfortunately, Gale seems unmoved by her reasoning.

In this particular scene, it’s evident that Gale struggles to connect with others emotionally, showing a clear lack of empathy. Given his own past hardships, one might expect more compassion from him. Yet, his actions reveal a disturbing disregard for the feelings of those around him, suggesting he has devalued human connections in some way. Interestingly, Katniss, who once stole bread, could have benefited from Gale’s help. However, Gale tends to view the world in stark terms, judging people based on their actions rather than their circumstances, which makes him come off as hypocritical at times.

He Didn’t Understand the Life-and-Death Stakes of the Hunger Games

At the start of “Catching Fire,” Gale appears cool towards Katniss, struggling to accept her actions during the Hunger Games. He finds it hard to move past her choices in the arena. Despite Katniss explaining that she did what was necessary to stay alive, Gale remains unconvinced and dismissively suggests her actions didn’t appear staged.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but rephrase a thought about a character from a captivating tale: Gale fails to grasp that Katniss was truly battling for her survival in the arena, a spectacle meant to appease Capitol viewers and attract sponsorship deals. Yet, he continues to prioritize his emotions over hers, even as she grapples with the deep-seated trauma from the arena. His envy towards Peeta clouds his judgment, making him less supportive when Katniss needs a friend most.

Peeta’s Kindness and Understanding Were Traits Gale Needed More

In the story of “The Hunger Games,” Peeta Mellark stands out as one of the most sincere and compassionate characters, a rarity in a world where compassion seems scarce. Time and again, Peeta prioritizes Katniss’ needs over his own, even when it causes him personal anguish from what he perceives as unreturned affection. On the other hand, Gale’s response to his own unrequited love is strikingly different.

In simpler terms, while Peeta understands any choices Katniss made during the Games are not binding on her, Gale tends to let the Games affect their relationship negatively, frequently harboring feelings of resentment towards Katniss for caring about Peeta. Instead of offering peace, Gale mostly expresses anger and bitterness.

He Never Should Have Given Her an Ultimatum

Regardless of Katniss repeatedly expressing that she’s solely concerned with surviving in all the films, Gale persists in viewing their relationship as a decision she must make. While Peeta was willing to step aside and allow Katniss to sort things out at her own pace, Gale continuously pressed her about choosing between two vital figures in her life.

Instead of offering comfort when Katniss was depressed following the arena and the onset of war, Gale constantly criticized her, suggesting he couldn’t compete with Peeta. In Mockingjay – Part 1, Gale does join the effort to rescue Peeta from the Capitol, but it appears more as a ploy to gain Katniss’ favor rather than out of genuine concern for Peeta. Even as Peeta endured mental manipulation by the Capitol, Gale was primarily preoccupied with his own feelings of being overlooked by Katniss.

He Didn’t Comprehend Their Trauma-Forged Bond

After coming back from the Victory Tour depicted in “Catching Fire”, Katniss implores Gale to join her in assembling their families and escaping into the forest. Initially, he agrees, assuming it would just be the two of them. However, her suggestion of including Peeta in their plan changes everything, making him hesitate.

Despite all the shared ordeals they experienced within the arena, Gale remains puzzled about why Katniss places her trust in Peeta. He wonders what reason she has for inviting him along, and his feelings towards her cloud his judgment whenever Katniss seems to be calling out for help due to her terror of the Capitol. It isn’t until the Quarter Quell is announced, with Katniss set to return to the arena, that Gale expresses his regret about not having joined forces with her. However, by then, it’s a sentiment that comes too late.

The Insult Was a Step Too Far

In most of “Mockingjay – Part 1”, Peeta endures torture and manipulation by the Capitol. Throughout the movie, Katniss is preoccupied with his well-being and seeks his rescue. However, her interactions with Peeta are limited as the Capitol strategically uses him on screen to counteract the pro-rebellion messages that District 13 disseminates. With each reappearance of Peeta, his condition becomes progressively worse.

Even though Katniss wept upon seeing Peeta’s state, Gale merely focuses on the words the Capitol made Peeta say and labels him a coward for uttering them. Scornfully, Gale asserts that he himself would never stoop so low as to speak in favor of the Capitol, but he’s never been in Peeta’s predicament before. Katniss is shocked by Gale’s harsh comments towards Peeta, given her own efforts to ensure his survival. This incident underscores that Gale lacks compassion for anyone connected to the Capitol, even if it’s only due to coercion.

This Troubling Action Was Quite Selfish

In “Catching Fire,” Gale’s jealousy towards Peeta reaches its peak, and he doesn’t miss an opportunity to let Katniss know this. He expresses his resentment over the choices Katniss made for survival, and in a public alleyway, he kisses her with the intention of making her feel guilty. However, despite Gale’s attempt at manipulation, Katniss was trying to clarify that she couldn’t entertain romantic feelings due to the pressing need for survival.

In the heat of their circumstances, Katniss doesn’t agree to the kiss, leaving her puzzled since all she wants is to survive amidst her rebellious actions. Unfortunately, President Snow captures the moment on film and later uses it to manipulate Katniss into complying during the Victory tour. Gale struggled with jealousy in this precarious situation, and Katniss’ life hung in the balance due to a kiss she didn’t even start herself.

His Lack of Empathy Remains Strange

In the initial Hunger Games film, as Katniss bids farewell to Gale, she ponders out loud. She realizes she must strive to win for Prim, but this victory comes with a steep cost. However, Gale perceives it differently; he contends that it’s not much unlike the act of hunting animals in the forest.

In essence, from a physical standpoint, firing an arrow to kill either a person or an animal shares similar actions, but in the real world, there’s a vast chasm between the two. If Gale was merely referring to the motions Katniss would perform with her bow and arrows, then his perspective might not be so flawed. However, his lack of empathy towards the lives lost in the Capitol as depicted in later films suggests that he may have indeed been callous about taking a human life. Gale’s insensitivity to the moral implications of killing another living being raises concerns and hints at potential bloodlust in upcoming movies.

His Lack of Regard For Non-Combatants Is Shocking

In Mockingjay – Part 2, the initial challenge lies in capturing District 2, specifically, its heavily fortified stronghold known as “The Nut.” Nestled under a mountain, The Nut was nearly impregnable. Yet, Gale swiftly reminded everyone that it wasn’t entirely safe from nature’s wrath, such as the possibility of avalanches. All they needed to do was trigger one.

In essence, if Gale’s military strategy hadn’t put countless lives in jeopardy, he would have been hailed as a hero. His callous decision to seal the only exit before the bombing and avalanche meant no one would survive. This cold-hearted move was met with disagreement by others, who found it excessively hostile. Gale’s bitter feelings toward certain events, like the death of both their fathers in a mining accident, drove him to conceive dangerous plans that left Katniss stunned. The thought of the people potentially killed by Gale’s actions filled her with disgust, prompting her to halt the rebels from attacking immediately. This opposition to Gale’s plan highlights Katniss’s disapproval of his thirst for violence, and it becomes evident to viewers that Gale possesses a cruel nature.

He Quickly Sided With the Dangerous Leader

In the course of the “Mockingjay” films, Katniss remains wary of Coin, as she suspects Coin’s ambition for power might lead her to exploit Katniss for influence. The potential rise of another tyrant was so frightening to Katniss that she contemplated killing Coin rather than Snow.

Instead, it’s clear that Gale swiftly aligned himself with Coin, promising undying loyalty without hesitation. His animosity towards the Capitol ran so profound that he disregarded any questionable actions from Coin. Whenever he received a message from her, he hastened to attend to her every whim, frequently overlooking Katniss’ concerns and even abandoning her amid tears for Peeta in order to meet with Coin. Gale’s allegiance to Coin demonstrated that his loyalty lay with District 13 rather than his long-time friend, causing both Katniss and fans to turn against him.

His Plans Directly Led to Prim’s Death

Among Gale’s notable talents lies his profound understanding and expertise in the art of setting snares and traps, a skill he wields effectively in our resistance against the Capitol. Yet, during one of his proposals, he strays from the righteous path. In the captivating pages of Mockingjay, Gale proposes to Beetee an unsettling strategy: endangering children to strike at the enemy. This chilling suggestion echoes a chilling resemblance to the very tactics employed by the Capitol. Alas, his idea returns to haunt him in the most dreadful manner conceivable.

In “Mockingjay – Part 2,” Coin endorses a strategy to deploy explosives disguised as parachutes from the Games onto Capitol children. When rebel medical personnel rush in to assist, further explosions occur, seemingly incriminating the Capitol. The death of Prim, who Katniss had initially sacrificed herself to save from certain death at the beginning of the series, is particularly heartbreaking. This tragic event, combined with Gale’s reprehensible ideas, causes Katniss to view him as beyond redemption – a sentiment shared by many fans.

2025-04-23 05:24