Chapter 4 of Sunrise on the Reaping sees the continuation of the District 12 tributes’ train journey to the Capitol. The chapter gives readers a more extensive insight into the dynamics between Haymitch and his fellow tributes.

This review is part of a series where I review one chapter of Sunrise on the Reaping each day as I read along.

What Happens in Chapter 4 of Sunrise on the Reaping?

The chapter picks up from the ending of Chapter 3 with Haymitch being presented a cake for his birthday, which he rejects as he does not want to feed into Capitol propaganda as Plutarch has a cameraman readily awaiting Haymitch’s reaction. The tributes then continue on their train journey and are informed they will have a stylist which erupts into a both verbal and physical fight between Maysilee and Drusilla.

The tributes eat and then are escorted to their bunks for the night where Haymitch again reflects on those he loves that he has left behind in the Capitol. During the night he is awoken by Louella, who tells him that she does not want them to be allies with Wyatt (the other District 12 male tribute) as he is a ‘Booker Boy’ meaning he and his family organise bets within District 12 – some of which are for The Hunger Games meaning he may have accepted a bet on the likelihood of his fellow tributes being reaped. Haymitch agrees and states that he wants it to be just him and Louella who are allies.

The chapter closes out with the train’s arrival at the Capitol where Haymitch sees the District 1 tributes stepping off the train – who are careers meaning they have been specifically trained for the games – and there is one which poses the highest threat in the games with ‘5:2 odds’ of becoming the victor. This is when Wyatt delivers the cliffhanger ending to Haymitch when he tells him that he may not want him but that he will need him.

Review – Is Chapter 4 of Sunrise on the Reaping Good?

The chapter does a good job at further exploring the dynamics between the tributes which we first saw in Chapter 3. The conflict between Maysilee and Drusilla is particularly interesting as it shows the feisty nature of Maysilee and the defiance she still has against the Capitol despite being considered ‘rich’ in District 12.

The ending of Chapter 4 makes for the perfect way of building intrigue and raising the stakes in reader’s minds of what’s to come for Haymitch now that he is in the Capitol.

Discussion – What Are Plutarch’s True Intentions?

Given Plutarch’s role in the original The Hunger Games trilogy, we as an audience know that there is good reason to believe Plutarch really does want to help the tributes.

He is continuously advising the tributes of what might be in their best interest from advising them to play up for the cameras to warning them that they need to try to get on Drusilla’s good side. This of course at this stage in a young Plutarch’s life could mostly be for making the ease of success in his job more attainable – as Haymitch suspects – or it is because he already secretly has anti-Capitol sentiment.

Is it possible that he may help Haymitch out during The Hunger Games in a big way?

What Are Your Thoughts?

That wraps up my review of Chapter 4! What were your thoughts on the chapter – do you agree/disagree with my review and what are some of your opinions on the fourth chapter?