The Panem Companion
Page 19
Katniss identifies Glimmer as a representative District 1 name, despite never having been there or met anyone from District 1 in real life. We don’t know whether girl names like Cashmere and Glimmer are the only kind we’d see in District 1, but we do know that there is a breadth of names among the girls in District 12, from Katniss (from the Seam) and Delly and Madge (from the merchant class) among the sixteen-year-olds to Primrose a few years later and, interestingly, another floral name—Posy—in the Seam after that. That level of variety would suggest that names in every district may display more variance than the names of tributes in either The Hunger Games or Catching Fire would lead us to believe. However, Glimmer may be a very common name among girls who volunteer as Career tributes for the Hunger Games, a source of wealth and fame in Panem (and therefore, as in all other cultures, success).
In our world, Levitt and Dubner suggest that, when it comes to what names are popular and why, “There is a clear pattern at play: Once a name catches on among high-income, highly educated parents, it starts working its way down the socioeconomic ladder. Amber, Heather, and Stephanie started out as high-end names. For every high-end baby given those names, however, another five lower-income girls received those names within ten years . . . many parents, whether they realize it or not, like the sound of names that sound ‘successful.’”lxxviii So maybe if Haymitch had been more likeable, District 12 would have become overrun with little Haymitches or Abernathies. Maybe in the months after the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, newborn girls were named Katniss or Sagittarias and boys were named Peeta or Ryes. In the other districts, I’d bet that there are many Finnicks and Brutuses and yes, Cashmeres and Glosses—and Glimmers.
So yes: Glimmer is something of a ridiculous name, but Katniss considers it ridiculous because it is not a name anyone would have in District 12 and we, the readers, consider it ridiculous only insofar as our own culture does not use it. But in District 1, where there may even be a previous victor named Glimmer, it likely isn’t a ridiculous name at all, but a name associated with predicted success in the Hunger Games.
As of this writing in 2012, the predicted most popular baby names in America for the year included names based on Roman origin (like Flavius, Caesar, Plutarch, and Cinna), as well as exotic floral names (like a certain Primrose) . . . and names based on the Hunger Games series itself (like Katniss and Gale)! So although Katniss might consider Glimmer, Marvel, Cashmere, and Gloss to be ridiculous names, the rest of us might need to start getting prepared to hear people calling them out on the playground in a few years.lxxix
Panem Names
ABERNATHY, Haymitch
Abernathy is a habitational name—one that is derived from a place or home—that means from the mouth of the River Nethy. It is a name of Pictish (a Scottish language) origin. One potential origin for the name may be American civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy, a close associate of Martin Luther King, Jr., who, like Haymitch, worked for improvement for the lives of the poor. The organization he ran, the Poor People’s Campaign, reflected Abernathy’s deep conviction that “the key to the salvation and redemption of this nation lay in its moral and humane response to the needs of its most oppressed and poverty-stricken citizens.”lxxx
Haymitch is a proprietary name; as far as I could tell, it does not directly derive from anywhere else. Possible partial origins include hayseed, given that District 12 is in a historically rural area, and Mitchell, a Medieval English name meaning he who is like god. If one thinks of Haymitch as the brains behind the Second Rebellion, that could fit.
Haymitch is also similar to Hamish, which is the “anglicized form of a Sheumais . . . or . . . of Seumas.”lxxxi Seumas is the Scottish form of James, a name that appears several times in the Bible; one biblical James is viewed as Jesus’ brother. James also comes from the same Hebrew name as Jacob, meaning he who supplants. Considering the definition of supplant (to take the place or move into the position of), the name is appropriate for Haymitch, who, in a way, becomes a father figure for and protector of Katniss and Peeta, who are missing a father and a protector, respectively. His role in the Second Rebellion, also, is to help supplant the existing government of Panem.
ATALA
CAPITOL TRAINER FOR THE SEVENTY-FOURTH HUNGER GAMES
Atala has three likely possible origins:
The first is the novella Atala, which criticizes the idea of the noble savage. Atala helps the tributes learn to survive, a noble act; however, she does it because she is a part of the institution condemning them to violent death, and therefore is a savage native.
The second is Eumaeus atala, a species of butterfly that nests and feeds among toxic plants—something beautiful that survives on plants that kill other insects and animals. (Incidentally, the butterfly is named after the novella.)
The third is Atalanta, a champion runner and athlete in Greek mythology.
BEETEE
DISTRICT 3 TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL
Beetee is most likely related to the District 3 specialty of electronics/technology, derived from BTU, the unit of measurement traditionally associated with energy. (On a fun but likely irrelevant note: 1 watt [of electricity, which is a component of District 3’s specialty] is 3.41214 BTU/h.)
However, another possible derivation, considering Collins’ military knowledge and background, is the WWII training aircraft Vultee BT-13 Valiant or “the Bee Tee.” Two variations were produced and the difference between them was in their electrical systems. Like Beetee, they were not used in active battle zones during the war but instead were involved in the training and preparation of pilots before deployment.
BLIGHT
DISTRICT 7 TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL
The literal definition of blight is rapid, infectious plant death. One possible extrapolation of Blight’s name can be found in Johanna’s assessment of him—“He’s not much, but he was home”CF349—and Johanna’s general view of District 7, the Capitol, and its control over victors: as the source of rapid, infectious death. The Capitol is a metaphorical blight on the districts.
BOGGS
HIGH-RANKING SOLDIER IN DISTRICT 13
One possible origin for Boggs’ name comes from a figure of US military history: William Robertson Boggs. This Boggs was a general in the Confederate Army (unpopularly but undeniably a rebel army) during the American Civil War, playing a leadership role similar to the one District 13’s Boggs plays in Mockingjay.
A “bog” is also a marshland; they are known in Ireland to preserve dead bodies well), perhaps foreshadowing his character’s death in Mockingjay.
BONNIE
ESCAPEE FROM DISTRICT 8
Bonnie is a traditional English/Scottish name meaning pretty girl.
BRISTEL
DISTRICT 12 COAL MINER
The most likely meaning behind Bristel’s name is the verb form of bristle: to react angrily or defensively, typically by drawing oneself up. Bristel in the Hunger Games is one of the few miners from Gale’s crew who stands up for him against Cray at his whipping in Catching Fire. He also helps to fashion a stretcher and bring Gale back to the Everdeens’ in the aftermath. In its noun form, bristle is a sharp instrument used to make brushes. Bristel’s name denotes a rebellious nature. However, it could also be a reference to the explosive/volatile properties of coal.
BRUTUS
DISTRICT 2 TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL
Brutus is one of the several Hunger Games names that come from those involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar. However, Brutus is a district citizen and not a Capitolite. This is markedly different from most of the other district characters in the Hunger Games—and markedly similar to another District 2 Career tribute, Cato, who is also named for a Roman figure rather than his district specialty.
In William Shakespeare’s telling of Caesar’s assassination, Brutus’ involvement in the conspiracy is treated as dramatic irony; he is one of Caesar’s closest friends (just as District 2 is the district most loyal to the Capitol in
Mockingjay). This could suggest that he had potential to turn against the Capitol, but because Peeta kills Brutus in the last moments of the Quarter Quell, we will never know.
Of note: The historical Brutus’ father was killed by Pompey the Great in dubious circumstances after he (the father) had taken part in the rebellion of Lepidus (the same rebellion that caused the banishment of Cornelius Cinna), suggesting the possibility that Brutus’ lineage could have ties to the First Rebellion, before the introduction of the Hunger Games into Panem culture. Both the historical and Shakespearean versions of Brutus married a Portia . . . which leads to further theories that the Hunger Games’ Brutus had ties to the rebellion, despite not being a known entity to those involved in the Quell plot (although there is no canonical evidence of such).
The phrase Sic semper tyrannis! (“Thus, ever [or always], to tyrants!”) is attributed to Brutus at Caesar’s assassination.
CARDEW, Fulvia
PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO PLUTARCH HEAVENSBEE
Cardew may derive from Cornelius Cardew, an experimental composer. Cardew was a Communist and composed what he called “people’s liberation music” in the 1970s. His music often drew from traditional English folk music, which he used to communicate lengthy Marxist-Maoist exhortations. Examples include “Smash the Social Contract” and “There Is Only One Lie, There Is Only One Truth.”lxxxii
The historical Fulvia was an aristocratic Roman woman who was married to three of the most promising Roman men of her generation: Publius Clodius Pulcher, Gaius Scribonius Curio, and Mark Antony. All three husbands were supporters of Julius Caesar. Though Fulvia is more famous for her involvement in Antony’s career, many scholars believe that she was politically active with all of her husbands; as Plutarch Heavensbee’s assistant, the Hunger Games’ Fulvia accompanies him to District 13 and into the field to create propos and plan publicity around the rebellion’s battles.
CARTWRIGHT, Delly
DISTRICT 12 REFUGEE TO DISTRICT 13
A cartwright is someone who makes carts. Alexander Cartwright supposedly invented baseball, which is cool but not necessarily related to Delly—unless one considers that baseball is “the American pastime” and Delly is a strong exemplar of the New Panem: cooperative and willing to trust those from other districts, or even the Capitol, to work together towards a better future.
Sir Fairfax Leighton Cartwright was an author and British diplomat who became ambassador to the Austro-Hungarian Empire before World War I. His wife, Lady Cartwright, almost accidentally started an international incident between Russia and Austria at a party; Delly ameliorates a tense dinner scene between her, Peeta, and Katniss in Mockingjay after Peeta is hijacked.
Delly means from a dell (valley), which would be appropriate, given District 12’s location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. But Delly is also a diminutive, or a nickname that often denotes small size, childishness, or affection, and there are several possible longer names from which Delly’s could be derived, including Adelaide (of German origin, meaning of a noble kin) and Cordelia (the daughter of Shakespeare’s King Lear, who was exiled for her honesty against the tyranny of the king).
However, the most interesting possibility for Delly is Delilah, a biblical name meaning one who weakened. Delilah was approached by the lords of the Philistines to discover the secret of Samson’s strength in exchange for riches. Three times she asked Samson for the secret of his strength, and three times he gave her a false answer. On the fourth occasion he gave her the true reason: that he did not cut his hair in fulfillment of a vow to God. When Samson fell asleep on Delilah’s knees, she called up her man to shave off the seven locks from his head, then betrayed him to his enemies.
Although one can see some parallels between Delly and Peeta’s interactions in Mockingjay and Sampson and Delilah’s story—Peeta sees Delly as a form of comfort; Delly repeatedly questions him in search of (what he sees as) the truth—Delly doesn’t betray Peeta to his enemies (unless you count his perception of Katniss as an enemy).
CASHMERE
DISTRICT 1 TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL
Cashmere is a soft wool obtained from goats. It is fine in texture, as well as strong and light, and garments made from it provide excellent insulation. Cashmere is considered a luxury material.
The word cashmere is a Romanization of Kashmir, a region of India famous for cashmere wool, saffron, silks, and other luxury goods—just like District 1.
CASTOR
CAPITOL CAMERAMAN TURNED REBEL PROPOS PRODUCER
The literal translation of Castor is beaver, but more saliently, Castor is one of the twins who became the constellation Gemini in Greek mythology; the other is Pollux. Castor was mortal while his twin was immortal, because they were sired by different fathers, and only Pollux’s father was divine. When Castor died, Pollux asked Zeus to let him share his own immortality with his twin, and they were transformed into the Gemini constellation. They are the patrons of sailors (and the Hunger Games’ Castor, along with Pollux and Cressida, works frequently with ocean district victor Finnick to make propos in Mockingjay).
Castor and Pollux are sometimes credited with accidentally starting the Trojan War, since they left Helen in Paris’ charge at a party.
Of note: The mythological Castor was killed by his kin when he and Pollux were stealing cattle from their cousins’ farm; the Hunger Games’ Castor’s name could therefore be considered foreshadowing for his death by friendly fire from the District 13 rebels.
CATO
DISTRICT 2 TRIBUTE IN THE SEVENTY-FOURTH HUNGER GAMES
Cato is a historical Roman figure who is featured in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Interestingly, in both history and the Shakespeare play, Cato committed suicide, though historically, Cato did so two years before the assassination of Caesar rather than in the immediate lead-up (perhaps we are to assume the gap between Cato’s death and Snow’s death to be significant?). Because the Hunger Games’ Cato begs Katniss for a mercy kill, this naming choice could suggest we should equate his death with suicide.
The historical Cato was a figurehead of the anti-Caesar platform. This could be an intentional juxtaposition with the Hunger Games’ Cato, who is from the district most loyal to the Capitol.
CECELIA
DISTRICT 8 TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL
Cecelia is a Latin name meaning blind.
A very similar patrician name, Caecilia, was shared by all the women of a plebeian Roman family known as the Caecilii Metellii. They traced their lineage (mythologically) to Vulcan (Hephaestus, in Greek culture), who gave their family life through a single spark. The Hunger Games’ Cecilia was a victor with many children and much to lose under the existing Panem government; it’s easy to extrapolate from this that she joined the rebellion of the Girl On Fire to give her family a better chance at life.
Caecilia is also the genus name of amphibious snakes; perhaps the Hunger Games’ Cecelia name draws on the symbol of snakes as malevolent or sneaky.
CHAFF
DISTRICT 11 MENTOR AND TRIBUTE IN THE QUARTER QUELL; HAYMITCH’S BEST FRIEND
Chaff’s name is almost certainly derived from the District 11 specialty of farming/crop work, as chaff is a term for the protective casing of the seeds of cereal grain. Chaff (the grain casing, not the victor!) is inedible for humans; both chaffs denote toughness.
Etymologically, chaff comes from Middle English chaf, from Old English ceaf, related to Old High German cheva or husk. The character of Chaff, in contrast—and in contrast to his friend Haymitch—is far from a husk; he seems full of life and vitality as he approaches the battle of the Third Quarter Quell.
CINNA
Cinna is a prime example of a Capitol character who owes his name to Roman imperial history as well as Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, as detailed in chapter thirteen. Historically, there were two major Cinnas of note involved in Caesar’s death: Cornelius Cinna, Cinna the Conspirator, and Helvius Cinna, Cinna the Poet.
Cornelius Cinna was
a conspirator against Caesar who played a key role in enlisting Brutus to the assassins’ cause. Previous to this, however, he and Caesar were friends; Caesar called Cornelius back from exile from Rome and even granted Cinna a praetorship. The Capitol gave the Hunger Games’ Cinna a similarly high position, as a Games stylist—though choosing to design for District 12 was seen by many as something like a career exile, giving him and Cornelius something else in common.
Helvius Cinna was a poet, well known enough to be included by Ovid in his list of celebrated erotic poets and writers. He was also a friend of Roman historian Plutarch—just as the Hunger Games’ Cinna and Plutarch seem to have been friends . . . or at least co-conspirators.
Both Cornelius and Helvius were men of some mystery, which seems only appropriate for the namesakes of the Hunger Games’ enigmatic Cinna.
CLOVE
DISTRICT 2 TRIBUTE IN THE SEVENTY-FOURTH HUNGER GAMES
The English word clove derives from Latin clavus or nail. As a spice, clove has some medicinal purposes; the use of a clove on a toothache is said to decrease pain.