By Cat Kemp and Emma Kidger
Among all the love triangles in the world of literature, the biggest and baddest of them all has to be the one among Katniss, Peeta, and Gale in The Hunger Games. If you have unfortunately neither read nor watched this tremendous trilogy, here’s a quick summary: Katniss Everdeen, the main protagonist, goes through the ultimate trial of love—deciding between two love interests. While she grew up with Gale Hawthorne and always considered him to be her top dog, she is later introduced to Peeta Mellark: the baker’s son. Throughout the three books and four movies, she bounces back and forth, unable to decide between Peeta and Gale until (arguably) the end of the second book, Catching Fire. While Katniss selfishly liked to play bachelorette, we always knew Peeta was her best option. Many of The Hunger Games fans may dare to argue that she was never meant to end up with Peeta, but that’s just extremely wrong for a multitude of reasons. When picking between Peeta vs. Gale, Katniss made the right decision by choosing Peeta, and here’s why:
- Peeta was the most loving and supportive.
Throughout the trilogy and from the day he met Katniss, Peeta was nothing but loving and supportive. Peeta not only offered her advice, comforted her when she was stressed, but he also did about a thousand other things that Gale literally did NOT. From the beginning, Gale was only a friend to Katniss, and he never offered her any kind of loving relationship. He didn’t even realize he was actually in love with her until the day she left for the games. Coincidence? We think not! If Gale was really the right one for her, he would have professed his love for her from the start instead of dragging his feet. Gale only professed his love for Katniss when it was best for him (ie. when he was jealous of Peeta).
- Peeta had her best interests at heart.
Similar to the previous point, Peeta only wanted what was best for Katniss. When they got home from the first Hunger Game, he accepted the fact that their relationship was over and respected that she had other people she needed to take care of. Peeta never intruded or imposed on her life, nor tried to force her into a relationship. Gale, on the other hand, could not wait to intrude on her win by making everything about him. So what you did the decent thing by taking care of her family while she was gone? Gale needs to stop complaining when he knows he loves being in charge. Peeta would never have made her feel less than, like Gale did 24/7.
- Peeta would literally die for her.
Gale obviously didn’t get the memo that while he was safely living life in District 12, Peeta was literally giving up limbs for his girl Katniss. In each book/movie, Peeta literally risks his life for Katniss. In the first novel, Peeta lost his leg because he was trying to protect Katniss. In Catching Fire, Peeta ensures Katniss will be the one making it out alive by being a part of the secret plan for Katniss to be saved by District 13, which led to Peeta being taken hostage by the Capitol. Throughout the last two books, Peeta was held hostage and used against the love of his life all because he wanted her to stay alive. He even mentioned how he was willing to die for her as he had nothing to lose. Everything previously stated was all Peetas doing. What did Gale do that reached this level of selflessness? Nothing. He could have volunteered to take Peeta’s place in the first book/movie all along, but no, he did not. Plus, after the fact, he never did anything to protect or save her life. Also, (major spoiler), he played a part in the death of Katniss’s sister in the last book, doing the exact opposite of helping either of their lives.
- Peeta understood Katniss.
Peeta had similar life experiences as Katniss, one of them obviously being the Hunger Games. He stuck by her side through thick and thin and did anything to comfort her. He knew what she went through prior, during, and after the games, and when she needed him most, Peeta was always there. Gale saw Katniss as maniacal and even crazy when she would have PTSD or asked for even a smidgen of help. As we understand it, the rule of thumb when choosing whether or not to keep people in your life, especially a partner, is to keep the people that support, love, and are always there for you. Gale did none of those things, but fortunately for Katniss—Peeta perfectly fit the criteria.