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HelpRe: Primrose
in reply to a message by humblebee
No, she's not. I liked it before I read the books but the character is pretty awesome and made me like it even more. She studies to become a doctor and is really kind. The only reason her sister volunteers is because there would be 18 year olds fighting against her and at 12 she wouldn't have had a chance to survive.
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Oh, I grasped the reason why Katniss steps up from the preview, but my impression still stands. The idea of a younger child having to face off against older children or adults in deadly struggles is not uncommon in children's stories; Harry Potter practically revolves around the idea. Primrose is eligible to compete, but she's the girl who doesn't have a chance, the tool used to showcase Katniss's bravery, self sacrifice, and dedication. That she's kind and will end up being a doctor doesn't change my feeling that Collins went looking for a name that conveyed passivity and the need to be sheltered and struck gold with Primrose.
Like I said, everything I know about Hunger Games comes from the movie preview, the book jacket, and things other people have said, so I know I'm probably out of my depth here. I dislike the name for reasons that don't have anything to do with Hunger Games, and I'm sure they negatively influence my perception of the character. The information I have, though, makes me feel the author took advantage of the worst qualities of the name in naming Primrose, looking for something sugary, babyish, ineffectual.
Like I said, everything I know about Hunger Games comes from the movie preview, the book jacket, and things other people have said, so I know I'm probably out of my depth here. I dislike the name for reasons that don't have anything to do with Hunger Games, and I'm sure they negatively influence my perception of the character. The information I have, though, makes me feel the author took advantage of the worst qualities of the name in naming Primrose, looking for something sugary, babyish, ineffectual.
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Hmmm Harry Potter is something totally different, in my opinion. At least there's no rule that only one person can survive. I've read the books and no 12 year old has ever won. It's hard to win against someone so much taller and stronger. They also weren't prepared or had any natural talents such as being a wizard or a witch. Also she never asked to be rescued. She was actually pretty strong, not crying or anything when her name was called. She just went up there and her sister volunteered. It's not like she cried and screamed for her sister to rescue her.
Then Katniss should be the strong name :P But it doesn't sound particularly strong to me. Just funny. Peeta is also a pretty strong character with a pretty funny name. I do think that Primrose sounds girly but not in a bad way.
Then Katniss should be the strong name :P But it doesn't sound particularly strong to me. Just funny. Peeta is also a pretty strong character with a pretty funny name. I do think that Primrose sounds girly but not in a bad way.
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Actually, there is a "rule" that only one can survive in HP. Per the prophecy, it's either Harry or Voldemort. And compared to Voldemort, Harry is a child with no (as it's repeatedly pointed out) special magical talent or knowledge. That's neither here nor there, of course. I only brought up Harry Potter to illustrate that a 12-year-old character is capable of doing anything an author wants him or her to do, as long as it's done in a way that makes it believable for the readers, even if what the author wants is for the character to beat the odds against a much stronger and older opponent. But if that had been the story Collins wanted to write, I think Katniss, not Primrose, would have been the name of the first 12-year-old to win the game.
My interest in Hunger Games begins and ends with the character names, so I have no other comment except to say that yes, arrow-shaped, unpretty, piss-reminiscent Katniss is definitely supposed to be the stronger name, at least compared to pretty, little Primrose. I'm certain the author chose their names with care and deliberation.
I'm with you on Peeta, though. It's hilarious, but, again, I'm sure it was deliberate. He's the nice dependable guy, right? A soft heart in a hard world? I think taking Peter ("rock") and softening off the hard edges was a good choice.
My interest in Hunger Games begins and ends with the character names, so I have no other comment except to say that yes, arrow-shaped, unpretty, piss-reminiscent Katniss is definitely supposed to be the stronger name, at least compared to pretty, little Primrose. I'm certain the author chose their names with care and deliberation.
I'm with you on Peeta, though. It's hilarious, but, again, I'm sure it was deliberate. He's the nice dependable guy, right? A soft heart in a hard world? I think taking Peter ("rock") and softening off the hard edges was a good choice.
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Yeah but it makes a huge difference whether you just have to kill one person to survive or 23. And compared to an 18 year old a 12 year old is also a child, especially physically. Harry had at least a year of education (magic) and a special talent as the chosen one before facing him for the first time (I think it was near the end of the first school year). He also wasn't malnourished. Primrose and her family almost starved to death.
I still don't really think her name had anything to do with her destiny. I mean yes, she put a lot of thought into the names she chose, but they seem to reflect the heritage of the characters more than their fate. Peeta is the son of a baker (pita bread), Primrose is a healer and uses herbs and I think also flowers to heal. Glimmer is from a district that produces luxury goods. Does Clove sound very brutal to you? She was a villain. Glimmer was a villain. Glimmer doesn't sound particularly strong. Neither do Gloss or Cashmere or Beetee (also winners of the games).
Haha, sorry, just reading the last book :P
I still don't really think her name had anything to do with her destiny. I mean yes, she put a lot of thought into the names she chose, but they seem to reflect the heritage of the characters more than their fate. Peeta is the son of a baker (pita bread), Primrose is a healer and uses herbs and I think also flowers to heal. Glimmer is from a district that produces luxury goods. Does Clove sound very brutal to you? She was a villain. Glimmer was a villain. Glimmer doesn't sound particularly strong. Neither do Gloss or Cashmere or Beetee (also winners of the games).
Haha, sorry, just reading the last book :P
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Actually, it doesn't surprise me at all that Glimmer and Clove would be villianous. If you had nothing but their names to go on and had to guess whether the characters were good or bad, would you guess the former? It's interesting when character names (or names in general) strike such different chords with people. I'd expect a Glimmer to be a conniver with a big, wide mean streak. Or an exotic dancer. :)
While I'm aware Collins uses different styles of names for characters from different districts, I'd be shocked if she didn't carefully choose names for effect within the constraint of those styles. I never meant to imply that their names were indicative of their destinies, just their character traits and personalities. For me, it's obvious why Katniss is Katniss and not Daisy or Blueberry...or Primrose. Primrose isn't strong enough.
I don't dislike Primrose because of Hunger Games, a series I have little-to-no interest in. Whether or not Primrose Everdeen is an awesome character or not doesn't matter to me. I loathe the name on its own, and, I'm sorry, but I find it ridiculous.
While I'm aware Collins uses different styles of names for characters from different districts, I'd be shocked if she didn't carefully choose names for effect within the constraint of those styles. I never meant to imply that their names were indicative of their destinies, just their character traits and personalities. For me, it's obvious why Katniss is Katniss and not Daisy or Blueberry...or Primrose. Primrose isn't strong enough.
I don't dislike Primrose because of Hunger Games, a series I have little-to-no interest in. Whether or not Primrose Everdeen is an awesome character or not doesn't matter to me. I loathe the name on its own, and, I'm sorry, but I find it ridiculous.
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Hahahaha :P I'd expect a Glimmer to be a girly girl, she loves fashion and make-up and stuff, but I wouldn't picture her as a villain. Rather as someone who is a bit shy. Same with Cashmere. Gloss is a guy and I'd imagine him to be really into fashion as well. When I hear Cashmere, Glimmer and Gloss I just picture a group of fashion designers who are eccentric, but no villains.
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Cashmere would have a bit of a prissy snobgirl whom might be kind of mean feel to it. Glimmer could go in multiple directions, but aiming for fame regardless of what it might cost other people and whom she may have to step on to get there would not sound too far out on that one.
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