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"Stay alive."
—Haymitch Abernathy to Katniss Everdeen

Haymitch Abernathy was District 12's second and only living Hunger Games victor for 23 years,[2] having won the second Quarter Quell[3][4] before Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the 74th Hunger Games under his mentorship.[5] He worked secretly in tandem with District 13 and other victors in order to incite the Second Rebellion,[6] and was the main drive behind the rebel plot during the 75th Hunger Games.

Biography

Haymitch headshot

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy

Early life

Haymitch Abernathy was born 40 years prior to the 74th Hunger Games, during the same year the 34th Hunger Games were held. There is no information regarding his childhood and early teenage years, although it is known that he is from the Seam of District 12, and had a younger brother, a mother, and a girlfriend.[1]

Second Quarter Quell

The rules for the second Quarter Quell stipulated that double the number of tributes were to be reaped from the districts for the Games.[3][4] At the age of 16, Haymitch was reaped as one of District 12's two male tributes for the 50th Hunger Games alongside Maysilee Donner and another female tribute.[7] It is unknown who mentored him, and the same is true for District 12's other three tributes.

Tribute Parade

He and the other District 12 tributes wore coal miners' outfits for the chariot ride.[7]

Interview

During his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Haymitch was asked about what he thought of the Games having 100% as many tributes. He replied by saying that he didn't see much difference, as they were still going to be 100% as stupid, a display of his own wit and sarcasm.[7]

Cornucopia bloodbath

When the bloodbath of the 50th Hunger Games took place, the tributes were amazed by the beautiful arena, and many were too stunned to get off their pedestals. Using this to his advantage, Haymitch was able to easily get a knife and a "backpack of choice" from the Cornucopia, while eighteen ultimately fell during the opening act of the Second Quarter Quell. In the forest, Haymitch encountered muttations in the form of fluffy, carnivorous squirrels and stinging butterflies. After the first day, other tributes died from consuming or coming into contact with the arena's many poisonous elements, and on the fourth day, a volcanic eruption killed twelve more tributes, including five of the ten remaining Career Tributes.[7]

Alliance with Maysilee Donner

At an uncertain point in time into the Games, Haymitch ran into three Careers. Using his speed and skill with his sharp knife, Haymitch was able to kill two of them, but the third managed to disarm him. Just as the Career was about to slit Haymitch's throat, he was shot in the back and killed with a poison dart by Maysilee Donner, saving Haymitch's life. Maysilee proposed to Haymitch that their odds of survival will be better if he formed an alliance with her, to which he agreed. As the Games continued, the duo formed an effective team, getting more rest, creating a system to salvage rainwater, working together to fight off other tributes, and splitting the food from fallen tributes' packs. All the while, Haymitch urged Maysilee to continue moving towards the edge of the arena with him in the hopes of finding something useful.

Near the end of the Games, when there were only five tributes left alive, Haymitch and Maysilee finally reached the edge of the arena, but found nothing but a bare cliff. Maysilee suggested going back, but Haymitch refused to leave. She then broke up the alliance, not wanting to kill him herself, and left on her own. After her departure, Haymitch explored the edge of the cliff, knocking a pebble off that unexpectedly bounced back while he rested. Curious, Haymitch picked up another rock and threw it off the cliff. The force field around the arena threw it back right into his hand, at which point he started laughing. Moments later, Haymitch heard Maysilee screaming and ran in her direction to find her being attacked by mutts, deadly, candy-pink birds, who speared her throat with their long, thin beaks right as he arrived. Haymitch rushed over to her side and held her hand until she ultimately died.[7]

Defeating the District 1 Tribute and Victory

On the same day as Maysilee's death, following the deaths of the two other finalist tributes, Haymitch and one of District 1's female tributes made it to the final two. The two eventually found each other and fought. Despite her being larger and stronger as a Career, both sustained severe injuries. Haymitch, at one point, sliced her eye out, and he himself was hit in his abdomen by her axe. After being disarmed, a weakened Haymitch staggered through the forest while holding his intestines in, with the District 1 female in pursuit behind him. Haymitch eventually reached the cliff he found earlier just as the District 1 female tribute threw her axe, aiming for his head. Haymitch collapsed from his injuries before it reached him and it missed, flying over the cliff. With both tributes unarmed, the District 1 female tribute stood in front of Haymitch, thinking she could outlast him by staunching the flow of blood from her eye wound. To her utter surprise, the axe rebounded off the force field back into the arena, killing her when it buried itself into her head,[7] leaving Haymitch the victor and District 12's latest in four decades.[2][8]

Post-Victory

Adulthood and Mentoring Tributes

Two weeks after he was crowned victor of the Second Quarter Quell, Haymitch's mother, younger brother, and girlfriend were all killed by President Snow because of the stunt that he pulled with the axe and force field, which was perceived as an act of defiance that made the Capitol look foolish.[1]

For the next 23 years, Haymitch mentored the tributes for District 12 alone, to poor results. Due to the horror of his Games, his grief over his family's and girlfriend's deaths, and the overwhelming guilt he felt from being obligated to participate in the Games he hated while each and every one of his mentored tributes died in them, Haymitch turned to alcoholism to cope with his issues and feelings. His constant state of drunkenness and his failure as a mentor earned him the ire and embarrassment of his district.[9] In the years following his victory, Haymitch began sleeping with a knife in his hand and as Katniss later mentions, sentenced himself to a self-imposed state of solitary confinement by refusing to let anyone into his house and isolating himself from the rest of District 12. During his time as mentor, Haymitch grew close with a number of his fellow victors, particularly Chaff of District 11, victor of the 45th Hunger Games, with whom he would regularly get drunk.[10]

Despite his alcoholism and his poor performance as a mentor, Haymitch at some point became a part of far-reaching conspiracy involving Hunger Games victors, high-ranking Capitol officials, and District 13 that sought to overthrow the Capitol and put an end to the Hunger Games.[6]

The Hunger Games

74th Hunger Games

Haymitch train

Haymitch discussing strategy with his latest slate of tributes, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

Haymitch first appears when he is present on stage during the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. Drunk and staggering, he congratulates Katniss after she volunteers for her sister, Primrose Everdeen, claiming she has "spunk". Haymitch then head-dives off the stage, knocking himself out in the process and requiring him to be hauled away on a stretcher.[11] Haymitch is not seen again until just after dinner is served on the train taking Katniss and Peeta to the Capitol. Drunk again, Haymitch vomits all over the expensive floor before collapsing in his own mess, which disgusts Effie.[12] Katniss and Peeta take him back to his compartment on the train, where Peeta offers to clean him up and put him to bed. The next morning, Haymitch is eating breakfast with Katniss and Peeta, once again drinking. When Katniss ask for advice on the Games, Haymitch is initially dismissive, simply stating for the two to "stay alive" before laughing at them both. Angered at his indifference, Peeta knocks Haymitch's glass from his hand, with Haymitch responding by punching Peeta in the jaw, knocking him from his chair. Before Haymitch can reach for his alcohol again, Katniss drives a knife into the table between Haymitch's hand and his cocktail glass. Pleased that he finally has a pair of tributes willing to fight, Haymitch begins to a take a more hands-on approach to his mentoring. He examines them both on their skills and begins to formulate a plan for them, promising to help them so long as they do not interfere with his drinking.[9]

During the Tribute Parade, he is surprised by Katniss and Peeta's costumes and uses this advantage to attract sponsors and make more future plans to help them.[13] On the first day of training, he takes the duo and over breakfast asks if they want to be trained together or privately, to which they agree to be jointly trained. He then discusses their preexisting skills, already deducing Katniss's skill with a knife and further learning on her excellent capacity to hunt with a bow and arrow and Peeta's strength. He advises them to try and learn new things at the Training Center gymnasium, to avoid practicing the skills they excel in and to save them for their private sessions, and to stay by each other's side at all times over their objections.[14]

Haymitch vest

Haymitch during the Tribute Parade in The Hunger Games (film)

Haymitch is humored and laughs when Katniss tells him how the Gamemakers looked after she almost shot them with an arrow. He is further pleased with their training scores and tells Katniss she got a high score due to her attitude. As the duo begins preparation for their interviews, Haymitch informs her that Peeta changed his mind and has asked to be coached separately.[15] He tries to teach Katniss how to speak in front of the crowd during her interview with Caesar Flickerman, but grows exasperated and angered at the effort, saying she has the charm of a dead slug.[16] Before the Games begin, Haymitch's last piece of advice for the two is for them to stay alive, the same answer he gave them the first time Katniss asked him for a strategy.[17][9]

During the Games, Haymitch helps Effie line up sponsors. He also communicates with Katniss through giving or withholding of her sponsor gifts (he does not send water when she is close to a source[18], but sends broth[19] and medicine when she "plays her part" convincingly). Haymitch, however, chooses to not help Peeta during the Games[19], as only one of them could live and he believes Katniss stands the best chance to survive and ultimately win.

While his tributes are recovering in the hospital after their Games, Haymitch argues with the Gamemakers on Katniss's behalf to keep them from giving her a breast augmentation. When he sees her next, they hug, and before Katniss goes to watch the Games recap, Haymitch warns her that the Capitol is furious about her and Peeta's act in the arena with the berries, as the Capitol saw it as an act of rebellion. Haymitch tells her she must act in love with Peeta so that even Capitol and the rest of Panem will not see it as such.[20] After Katniss and Peeta's final interview with Caesar, Haymitch is positive that the Capitol is convinced she was in love and not rebelling.[21] Following the Victory Ceremony, Haymitch return to District 12 with Katniss and Peeta, where he resumes drinking heavily again.

Catching Fire

Victory Tour

Capitolprofile haymitch

Haymitch's Capitol Profile for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Haymitch's drinking becomes progressively worse, undergoing severe withdrawals when District 12 encounters a liquor shortage. At times, he gets so drunk that he sleeps for most of the day, and he is passed out and drunk on the day the Victory Tour is to start. When Katniss arrives and fails in her first attempt of shaking him awake, she resorts to dumping a bucket of water on him. Haymitch is startled, and he yells while slashing at the air with a concealed knife. When Peeta arrives with bread, Haymitch witnesses him and Katniss's stiff greeting to one another, remarking that the two have to improve their act as star-crossed lovers before Katniss retorts for him to shower.[22]

When the time comes for the Victory Tour, Haymitch accompanies Katniss and Peeta along with Effie Trinket and their stylists and prep teams as they board the train that will take them across Panem's districts. While in transit, Katniss visits Haymitch's compartment on the train, and when the train stops for fuel, she suggests they go outside to talk, where she tells him about the encounter with President Snow, how he told her how the other districts are on the verge of rebelling, and that the "star-crossed lovers" act must be believed by everyone if she plans on keeping her family and friends alive. Haymitch coaches Katniss through the "madly in love" facade which she must keep up with Peeta and informs her that she must continue the act for the rest of her life.[3]

Later, Haymitch is surprised and somewhat disgusted by Katniss losing her temper with Effie after she complains about the train's unplanned stop. As the train makes its way to District 11, Haymitch helps Katniss and Peeta through preparation for their victory speech they must give to the grieving families of the District 11 tributes, Thresh, and Rue. After Peeta finishes his speech, Katniss gives her own impromptu speech to honor them, thanking them for their help in surviving the Games and thanking the district for the bread they sent her. The crowd responds by silently giving Katniss the three-finger salute, which is viewed as an act of rebellion by the Peacekeepers. They shoot an elderly man who whistled Rue's four-note song, which causes unrest amongst the crowd as Katniss and Peeta are forced inside District 11's Justice Building.[23]

CFhaymitch

Woody Harrelson and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Haymitch and Plutarch in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

As the Peacekeepers crack down on the crowd outside, Haymitch orders Katniss and Peeta to follow him to the dome at the top of the Justice Building. There, he interrogates Katniss and Peeta for answers on what happened outside, after which Katniss confesses to her meeting with President Snow and the unrest in the district to Peeta. The revelation angers Peeta, who berates both Haymitch and Katniss for keeping him in the dark, before further admonishing Haymitch for his lack of sponsor support during the 74th Hunger Games. Haymitch tells Peeta he will be fully informed going forward, and once alone with Katniss, admits to her that he did chose to solely support her in the Games when asked. The two then depart for the dinner held in their honor by the district later that evening. Haymitch continues to help Katniss and Peeta throughout the rest of the Victory Tour, during which the two give scripted speeches to ensure that a riot like the one in District 11 did not happen again.[24]

Cf0813

Haymitch, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), and Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) after Gale was whipped by Thread.

Following the Victory Tour, Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta return to District 12. Haymitch is next seen intervening the new Head Peacekeeper, Romulus Thread, lashes Katniss across the face for trying to stop Gale's public whipping. Haymitch manages to defuse the situation by threatening to report Thread to the Capitol for injuring Katniss before her wedding shoot, to which Thread reluctantly backs down and orders them to disperse before leaving. Haymitch, Peeta, and a few other District 12 coal miners haul Gale to Katniss's mother in Victors' Village for treatment. Haymitch explains to Katniss that whippings were far more common before Cray was Head Peacekeeper and that it was Mrs. Everdeen who treated the victims. Haymitch and Peeta are then forced to remove Katniss from the room Gale is in when she grows hysterical at her mother, placing her in a guest room. While Katniss is sobbing, Peeta informs Haymitch of President Snow's thoughts on their performance during the Victory Tour, the uprising in District 8, and Katniss's plan for them to all flee into the forest, on which Haymitch gives no opinion.[25]

After Gale goes home, Katniss gets Haymitch to employ Hazelle Hawthorne as a housekeeper. Sometime later, Katniss and Peeta meet at Haymitch's house, and the three go on a walk away from the Victors' Village. When Haymitch remarks on Katniss's plan to flee into the wilderness, Katniss retorts that she instead want to start an uprising, at which Haymitch only laughs. When Katniss scoffs at Haymitch's indifference, Haymitch states that he is focusing on solely on her upcoming wedding and that her plan revolt will fail. The three soon take notice of the militarization of District 12's town square, including the addition of an official whipping post, several stockades, and a gallows, as well as the Hob being burned to the ground. Haymitch leaves Peeta and Katniss, remarking on finding a new source of alcohol.[26]

Third Quarter Quell

"You just remember who the enemy is."
—Haymitch to Katniss[src]

On the eve of the announcement of the Quarter Quell, Katniss visits Haymitch, telling him of her meeting with Bonnie and Twill and the uprising in District 8, to which he informs her of his own knowledge of rumored revolts in District 7 and 11. Katniss also explains to Haymitch her suspicion that District 13 was not really destroyed based off what Bonnie and Twill told her, but Haymitch shuts down the idea, arguing it was unlikely the Capitol could be ignoring a rebounded District 13.[4]

Haymitch is in his home when President Snow announces that the Third Quarter Quell's special rule will have tributes reaped from the existing pool of victors. When Katniss enters Haymitch's house after the reading of the card for the Third Quarter Quell, Haymitch is already drunk and sarcastically remarks on the assured possibility that Katniss will be going back into the arena and wonders what she is here to say to him. He goes on to state that Peeta had already come to talk to him, begging to be allowed to go back into the Games since he owes Peeta so that he can protect Katniss. Haymitch deduces that Katniss is here to ask him to volunteer in Peeta's place. Katniss bluntly replies "I came for a drink", at which Haymitch laughs before passing her a bottle. As the two drink, Katniss points out that since Haymitch hates life, he should go into the Games again instead of Peeta. Haymitch concurs with her point, remarking that since he tried to keep Katniss alive in the 74th Hunger Games, he's obligated to do the same for Peeta for the 75th. However, Haymitch points out that if his name is drawn, Peeta will simply volunteer in his place to be with her. Katniss then tells Haymitch that if it does come down to Peeta and herself, the both of them will do everything they can to ensure Peeta stays alive, to which Haymitch agrees.[27]

The following day, Katniss and Peeta head to Haymitch's house. Unbeknownst to Haymitch, Peeta disposes of Haymitch's entire supply of alcohol, enraging him. Peeta then bluntly points out to Katniss and Haymitch that two of them will be going into the Games and two will be coming back, a mentor and victor, and informs the duo that they can't afford them both being drunkards. Peeta then tells them that they are going to prepare like Careers for the Quell, before storming out of Haymitch's house.[27]

Over the next several weeks, the three victors train for the Quarter Quell, doing daily exercises in the morning, combat exercises in the afternoon, and watching recaps of the Games of previous victors at night. Haymitch struggles to get through the training regimen after years of alcohol abuse, unable to properly hit the side of a house with a knife after several weeks, but eventually does improve. On the day of the reaping for the 75th Hunger Games, Haymitch's name is called for the men, to which Peeta predictably volunteers in his stead. Katniss and Peeta are not allotted the customary hour for goodbyes and the duo are rushed to the train alongside Haymitch and Effie, bound for the Capitol.[27]

On the train, Haymitch, Katniss, Peeta, and Effie watch the recaps of the reapings, after which Haymitch departs without a word back to his room on the train. While alone, Katniss and Peeta watch the recaps of Haymitch's Games, the Second Quarter Quell. After finishing it, Katniss remarks that Haymitch's stunt at the end of his games with the force field was similar and just as bad as their own stunt with the berries. Haymitch unexpectedly returns, drinking from a bottle of wine, remarking "Almost, but not quite."[7]

Following the tribute parade, Haymitch is conversing with Chaff and Seeder, the tribute victors from District 11, to which Haymitch introduces Katniss and Peeta to them.[10] When the District 12 delegation returns to their apartment, Haymitch restrains Katniss when she recognizes one of the Avoxes serving them is Darius, a Peacekeeper from District 12 who tried to help Katniss during Gale's whipping only to be knocked out by Thread. The following morning, Haymitch orders Katniss to the dining room, where he explains to her and Peeta that their strategy for training is to remain in love and to befriend the other victors. Katniss initially refuses, but Haymitch remarks that going into the Quell only allied with each other won't be enough and that they will need more allies. Haymitch goes on to state that since Katniss and Peeta are popular with the crowd, that will make them desirable allies. He suggest allying with Seeder and Chaff, with Finnick Odair as another consideration, but the two are free to choose who they like to add to their alliance.[28]

Following their first day of training, Haymitch informs Katniss and Peeta that half of the tributes have informed their mentors that they want Katniss as their ally. Peeta tells Haymitch they saw Katniss shoot. Katniss, however, is indifferent from the tributes' praises, stating she only wants Beetee and Wiress from District 3 as well as Mags from District 4 to be added to their alliance. Haymitch sighs at the response, saying he will inform the mentors that Katniss is still making up her mind.[28] Following their private sessions with their Gamemakers, Haymitch agrees with Effie when she remarks that their actions during the private session will bring more trouble upon them. After dinner, Peeta informs Haymitch that he and Katniss have decided that they are going to go in alone, with Haymitch remarking he won't be responsible for killing his friends in the arena. When Katniss and Peeta both earn a 12 for their training score, Haymitch send the two to bed, stating that he can't stand the sight of either of them.[29]

Following the chaotic end to their tribute interview, Haymitch informs the duo of the commotion in the Capitol and the canceling of the recaps of the interviews. Katniss and Peeta both ask Haymitch to give Effie their thanks and appreciation for being their mentor. Before departing for the night, Haymitch's last piece of advice to the two is once again to "stay alive", although he specifically tells Katniss before leaving for the night to "just remember who the the enemy is."[30] When the Games begin, he likely works alongside the mentors from Districts 3, 4, and 7, since Katniss, Peeta, Finnick, Mags,[31] Beetee, Wiress, and Johanna Mason[32] were in an alliance together.

When Katniss blows up the force field, Haymitch is aboard the hovercraft that rescues her, Beetee, and Finnick from the arena. Haymitch, Plutarch Heavensbee, and Finnick gather to discuss the ongoing situation in several districts. When Katniss enters the room, Haymitch is annoyed and explains everything that has recently happened: the secret conspiracy involving the victors from Districts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11; the survival of District 13; the open revolt of most of the districts; and the outbreak of the Second Rebellion. Katniss is enraged with all of Haymitch's lies, and when she learns that Peeta was captured by the Capitol alongside the other surviving victors, she lunges at Haymitch, raking his face with her nails. The two proceed to yell vicious, terrible things at one another until Katniss is taken away and sedated.[6]

Mockingjay

District 13 Rebellion

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow."
"I doubt it.
"
—Haymitch and Katniss[src]
Haymitch Mockingjay

Haymitch in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

After watching the final edit of Katniss's first propo, Haymitch goes on the speaker and laughs, stating, "And that, my friends, is how a revolution dies."[33] Haymitch calls for a meeting with Katniss and the other rebels, where he asks everyone to come up with a moment when Katniss has ever made them feel something real. After everyone finishes, he states that she did them all by herself. When Haymitch and Katniss find themselves alone in the meeting room, Haymitch told her to say what she wants and she asks him why he let Peeta get captured. Haymitch sadly asks why she let Peeta out of her sight. The two begin to reconnect and comfort each other. Haymitch tells her the plan to shoot the propo live in action.[34] While Katniss is in District 8, Haymitch stays in contact with her over an earpiece, but she defies his orders, flinging it aside and rushing into combat.[35]

After the group returns to District 13 and receives medical treatment, Haymitch participates in a discussion about the new propo in Command. They decide to allow Katniss to go back into combat and shoot more propos once she is fully recovered. When Katniss returns to her hospital bed, Haymitch enters and insists that if she refuses to wear her earpiece, she will have to wear a locked piece of equipment around her head, and failing that, they'll surgically implant a transmitter in her ear. Once she angrily agrees to keep the regular earpiece in, he admits to eating her lunch and leaves.[36]

Haymitch later refuses to return to District 12 to film propos, quoted by Plutarch as saying, "I couldn't face it without a bottle." Then he attends a meeting in Command for the airing of Peeta's third televised interview since his capture by the Capitol.[37] When the room erupts into confusion, Haymitch insists that Peeta has warned them about an impending attack on District 13. People in Command are skeptical at first, but Katniss argues alongside Haymitch, at which point District 13's President Alma Coin gives the order for the district to go into lockdown.[38] When the lockdown is lifted several days later, Haymitch watches Katniss break down while attempting to film a propo, and he comforts her before she is sedated. The next time she wakes, he informs her that they've launched a mission to save Peeta, Johanna, and Annie Cresta from the Capitol, and that Gale was the first to volunteer for the rescue team.[39]

Haymitch comforts Katniss and arranges for her and Finnick to shoot propos, which the rebels will air as a distraction during the assault. He supervises the filming, and he argues with Plutarch against Finnick being forced to share his painful history. Once filming is over, Haymitch explains to Katniss that two weeks after he was crowned victor, President Snow killed his mother, younger brother, and girlfriend because of his stunt with the force field. Around midnight, Haymitch informs Katniss and Finnick that the rescue party has made it back safely, and they go to meet them in the hospital together.[1] Haymitch is caught off guard when a hijacked Peeta attacks Katniss, but oversees his recovery[40] and keeps Katniss updated on his wellbeing while she is in District 2.[41] He also feeds her instructions over an earpiece to help deescalate after the assault on the Nut.[42]

Haymitch attends Finnick and Annie's wedding in District 13, and he speaks with Katniss after she recognizes Peeta's handiwork on the cake. He also passes on a message, saying Peeta would like to see her.[43] Haymitch is the one to inform her that she isn't going to the Capitol, and he's also said Delly Cartwright is the best defender Katniss has against Peeta's hijacked tirades.[44] When Johanna ends up in the hospital, Haymitch explains how she was tortured in the Capitol and triggered during a simulated combat exam, then urges Katniss and Finnick to go see her.[45] Once Squad 451 and Peeta are sent to the Capitol, Haymitch argues with Katniss over the phone, saying that she is being unfair to Peeta and she should try to remember their deal to try to save him.[46]

Following the fall of the Capitol and the capture of President Snow, Haymitch makes sure Katniss is eating and taking her medicine, and he informs her when Snow's trial and sentencing are over.[47] Alongside Plutarch, Haymitch also advocates on behalf of Effie Trinket, sparing her from execution under the new government. On the day of Snow's execution, Haymitch and the other surviving victors attend a meeting hosted by President Coin. As retribution for their years of oppression, Coin proposes that they hold one final Hunger Games with the children of the Capitol's most powerful people. The proposal is put to a vote amongst the victors; Peeta, Beetee, and Annie vote against, while Johanna, Enobaria, and Katniss vote in favor, leaving Haymitch as the tie breaker. He ultimately chooses to side with Katniss and votes in favor. Immediately after, Haymitch is also present for Snow's execution, and he watches as Katniss instead assassinates Coin.[48] Haymitch accompanies Plutarch when they go to release Katniss from her confinement. The two then fly back to District 12, with Haymitch informing Katniss that in addition to still being her mentor, he will also be looking after her, since her mother now resides in District 4 to oversee the construction of a hospital there.[49]

Later life

After the Second Rebellion and Panem's transition into a democratic republic, Haymitch, alongside Peeta and Katniss, return to Victors' Village in District 12, where they remain as the district is rebuilt around them. Haymitch continues to drink, but he also now raises geese, and he contributes to Katniss and Peeta's memory book the forty-six tributes he mentored before them.[49]

Work

Since becoming a victor at age 16, Haymitch does not work, nor is he obligated to work as part of District 12's coal mining industry. Instead, he spends his victor's pension on white liquor[9] and becomes a recluse in the Victors' Village. In the annual Hunger Games, he acts as a mentor for the reaped tributes of District 12, but Haymitch would not see any of his tributes return from the Games alive for twenty-three years[2] until Katniss and Peeta's dual victory.[5]

At some point, Haymitch becomes a member of a conspiracy involving several Hunger Games victors, high-ranking individuals from the Capitol, and District 13. His role and tenure as a member of this underground resistance remain unclear, given difficulties posed by District 12's downtrodden state and the extent of his own addiction and depression. However, after Katniss's unintentional emergence as a symbol for the impending revolution, Haymitch takes on a key role in the resistance by ensuring she remains unaware of any greater rebel plot.

Alongside Plutarch and other victors in on the conspiracy, Haymitch orchestrates the plan to break Katniss out of the arena of the 75th Hunger Games.[6] During the Second Rebellion, Haymitch continues his role as Katniss's mentor, overseeing the production of her propos[33] as well as offering her personal guidance and comfort.[39][1]

Physical description

Haymitchportrait

Haymitch's Capitol Portrait for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

At the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, he is described as being young, strong, and "something of a looker," with dark, curly hair and gray Seam eyes, bright and dangerous.[7]

At the time of the trilogy, Haymitch is described as a paunchy, middle-aged man[2] who is often disheveled or even filthy.[22] During the Second Rebellion, he's described as looking slightly yellow and having lost a lot of weight. His eyes are also "ringed with the circles of sleepless nights".[34]

In the films, he has a scruffy, graying beard, as well as the straight blond hair and blue eyes common in District 12's merchant sector.

Personality and traits

Haymitch-drinking1

Haymitch calling Katniss out on not being very likable.

Haymitch is often drunk, surly, and harsh, but on rare occasions he can be understanding, and as mentioned by Peeta in the Hunger Games, has the capacity to remain sober. At the time of his victory in the Second Quarter Quell, he was District 12's latest victor in 40 years and continued to be the district's only living victor for another 24 years until Katniss and Peeta won. He is tactical and observant, as shown when he found out about the forcefield in the Second Quarter Quell. He is often sarcastic and unfriendly, but it is revealed in Mockingjay that, even though he doesn't say it, he adores and loves both Peeta and Katniss, despite his decision to keep only Katniss alive during the 74th Hunger Games.

He and Katniss are on the same "wavelength" for most of the books, as he can "communicate" with Katniss by unconventional means, such as the timely deliverance of a sponsor's gift. After the war is over, Haymitch is sent to District 12 to look after Katniss, but for a long period after arriving he does not visit her, opting to stay in his house and drink. It is indicated that his relationship with Katniss and Peeta is somewhat repaired as time goes on.

Haymitch has difficulty sleeping at night because of nightmares pertaining to the Hunger Games. When he does sleep, he always clutches a knife in hand.[22] Drinking is Haymitch's way of tuning out the present and the pain of his Hunger Games. His alcoholism was also prompted by the loss of his entire family shortly after he won the Games, at the hand of President Snow, due to his rebellious victory. Haymitch did not have access to liquor while he was in District 13, as the intoxicating substance is banned. He was mostly unaffected by this after therapy, but his skin became noticeably yellower.[34] As soon as they returned to District 12, he began drinking again. When Haymitch is in withdrawal, he becomes violent, incoherent, and prone to hallucinations, screaming and shaking and scaring people half to death.[22]

Nevertheless, despite his severe drinking, Haymitch does have some degree of control over it as he tells Peeta and Katniss in their original deal that, if they let him drink as much as he wants, he will remain sober enough to help them.[9] He also functions rather well while sober.

Skills

Haymitch is handy with a knife, evidenced by when he killed two Career tributes. He is also quite intelligent, outsmarting his fellow tributes and making the Capitol look stupid with their own force field. He was remarkably strong and quite handsome when he was younger.[7] Although he has low physical endurance, Haymitch makes up for it with his keen intellect and skill at lying, as shown in his ability to keep Katniss clueless about the Second Rebellion. He can be convincing, persuading Districts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11 to protect Katniss and manipulating command in District 13 to allow Katniss into combat. He was able to communicate with Katniss through his gifts in the arena, though Peeta believed that ability was due to the similarities in their personalities.[50]

Relationships

Family and girlfriend

Two weeks after being crowned victor, Haymitch's girlfriend, mother, and younger brother were all killed by the Capitol due to the stunt he pulled with the force field in the 50th Hunger Games. He made the Capitol look foolish, so he was punished for his perceived act of defiance.[1] The state of Haymitch's relationship with his mother, brother, and girlfriend are unclear, but it can be assumed that Haymitch loved and cared for them, as their death would weigh on Haymitch for the rest of his life and likely contributed to his descent into alcoholism and the jaded, cynical attitude he would later be known for.

Katniss Everdeen

"So it's you and a syringe against the Capitol? See, this is why no one lets you make the plans."
—Haymitch to Katniss[src]
Haymitch & Katniss before arena

Haymitch and Katniss before Katniss leaves to go to the arena.

Haymitch first meets Katniss when she volunteers in her sister's place for the 74th Hunger Games. Impressed by Katniss, he states that she has "spunk," but he collapses soon afterward, drunkenly falling off the stage.[11] On the train he dismisses her and Peeta, but once they gang up on him he decides that they may be able to win the Games. Following this, Haymitch takes a more hands-on approach to their mentoring, giving both her and Peeta valuable advice on how to be attractive to sponsors.[9] Even still, their early relationship is rocky, with Haymitch and Katniss constantly bickering at each other during her training. Katniss is convinced that Haymitch hates her and he does not try to contradict her. He is hard on his tributes, but his teachings still help them through the Games. Haymitch decides to exclusively support Katniss over Peeta, believing she had the best chance to survive and ultimately win. He's able to communicate with Katniss on what she should do through sponsor gifts. Despite being apart during the Games, the two develop an understanding, and a strong bond is forged. Haymitch is the first whom Katniss thanks when she leaves the arena.

In Catching Fire, Haymitch and Katniss have grown closer since her and Peeta's victory. Despite their relationship remaining tense at times, with Haymitch outright telling her that he would've preferred to save Peeta over her, the two regularly work together to deal with whatever threat comes in front of them. Haymitch keeps his role as a mentor, guiding Katniss and Peeta through their Victory Tour and coaching them about how to continue playing up the love act after Katniss informs him of her meeting with President Snow and his demands of her. He remains realistic with Katniss, informing her of the duties and struggles she is likely to endure as a victor and eventually as a mentor in the years to come. Nevertheless, Haymitch does his best to protect both her and Peeta. Following the announcement of the Third Quarter Quell, Haymitch and Katniss agree to work together to ensure Peeta is kept alive. After Katniss is reaped and Peeta volunteers in Haymitch's stead, Haymitch secretly formulates an alliance with the other tributes to protect Katniss and Peeta. At the climax of the 75th Hunger Games, Haymitch arrives with Plutarch to save Katniss, Finnick, and Beetee after she destroys the force field of the arena, but fails to save Peeta and the other surviving tributes. When Katniss finds out that Peeta has captured by the Capitol, she attacks Haymitch and is subdued.

In Mockingjay, Haymitch and Katniss do not speak until she decides to become the Mockingjay and begins filming her first propo. Katniss remains furious with Haymitch, but the two ultimately reconcile after they both acknowledge their failures in saving Peeta. The two subsequently grow close again. Throughout Mockingjay, Haymitch displays that he truly does care for Katniss, understanding her more than others. For instance, when she realizes how Snow is using and torturing Peeta, Katniss runs to Haymitch as she breaks down, and Haymitch comforts her. Later, Katniss tells Haymitch her idea of Coin killing Prim, and when he teases her, causing her to flee, he tries to follow her and later tries to get her to talk to him about her problems. When the remaining living victors vote on a final Hunger Games involving Capitol children, Haymitch, as the tie-breaking vote, ultimately sides with Katniss. Katniss remarks that this was the moment she recognized how similar they were. When Haymitch and Katniss return to District 12, Haymitch continues his role as her mentor and now also as her caretaker when he hands her a note from her mother.

Peeta Mellark

"You could live a hundred lifetimes and still not deserve him, you know..."
—Haymitch to Katniss on Peeta[src]
HQ-Cinna-Haymitch-Peeta-Still-People

Haymitch talking with Cinna and Peeta

Like Katniss, Haymitch meets Peeta when he is reaped for the 74th Hunger Games. When Haymitch collapses into his own vomit in a drunken stupor, Peeta takes care of Haymitch, cleaning and bathing him. The following day, Peeta and Haymitch discuss survival strategies for the Games. He is initially dismissive of Peeta and his chances in the upcoming Games. When Peeta knocks away Haymitch's drink in anger, Haymitch punches Peeta to see if he will put up a fight and is pleased when he and Katniss gang up against him. The two later work together often and become close to each other in preparations for the Games. Haymitch comes to favor Peeta over Katniss, since he proves to be very useful and charismatic. He admits to Katniss that he likes Peeta more than her, and the two agree that he is the better person of the trio. During training, Haymitch and Peeta formulated strategies to court sponsors, coming up with the star-crossed lovers idea. Despite his preference for him, Haymitch chose to not help Peeta with sponsor gifts during the 74th Hunger Games, as he believed Katniss was the stronger contender. Peeta is angered by this, but does not hold this fact against Haymitch, understanding that initially only one of them could win and states he had preferred it be Katniss anyway. Still, Haymitch is elated when both emerge as victors for the 74th Hunger Games.

The two remain close in Catching Fire, maintaining a cordial relationship, with Peeta occasionally giving Haymitch bread from his family bakery. Although he does not admit it, Haymitch truly cares for Peeta like Katniss. He does everything he can to prevent them from being harmed by the Capitol, who are enraged by the nightlock act in the arena. When Peeta berates Haymitch and Katniss for keeping secrets from him following their District 11 visit, Haymitch promises Peeta that he will be informed going forward. Haymitch also displays sympathy for Peeta and his initially unreciprocated love for Katniss, telling Katniss after she formulated the idea of Peeta proposing to her during their Victory Tour interview in the Capitol that Peeta had wanted it to be a real marriage proposal. Following the Third Quarter Quell announcement, Peeta begs Haymitch to allow him to go back into the arena, arguing that since Haymitch chose Katniss over him in the 74th Hunger Games, he owes Peeta and should let him protect Katniss in the arena. When Katniss and Haymitch discuss the implications of the upcoming Quell, Haymitch acknowledges that he feels obligated to save Peeta this time, and he and Katniss agree that they will do everything they can to protect Peeta, with Haymitch even agreeing to volunteer for Peeta should he be reaped. In the film adaption of Catching Fire, when Haymitch's name is called at the reaping and Peeta volunteers for him, Haymitch makes a futile attempt to stop him from doing so.

In Mockingjay, Haymitch feels immense guilt at leaving Peeta behind in the arena. He and Katniss both admit they were at fault for not doing more to protect Peeta at the climax of the 75th Hunger Games. Despite not outwardly expressing it, Haymitch loves Peeta as he does Katniss and is equally as troubled as her knowing that Peeta is being tortured and used by the Capitol. When Peeta is rescued, Haymitch and Katniss try their best to help Peeta through the stress and effects of the tracker jacker venom the Capitol used to torture Peeta and hijack his memories. The two reconnect at the end of Mockingjay.

Effie Trinket

"Nice dress... Not yours."
—Haymitch to Effie[src]

As District 12's escort, Effie and Haymitch have worked together for several years representing District 12. Despite this, Effie annoys Haymitch greatly with her Capitol ways. Since Haymitch isn't familiar with Effie's manners, deadlines, and appearance, he becomes annoyed when she nags him about them. He annoys Effie as well by being at his worst and frustrates her by his appearance and manners, such as when he eats like an animal or is drunk. The two do have their moments together such as the night before the Third Quarter Quell, when Haymitch agrees with Effie that Katniss and Peeta's actions during their private sessions would only invite trouble. The two say their final goodbyes before she is taken away, and Haymitch is shown to care for her.

Haymitch and Effie do not start off on the right foot. They first encounter each other when Haymitch shows up drunk and in poor conditions at the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. He throws up and hugs her, messing up her pink wig. He reappears again when he throws up on the train, which only makes Effie more enraged. Haymitch and Effie work together to help Katniss and Peeta, and she helps him line up sponsors. Haymitch and Effie are shown to be the same during the Victory Tour as he shows poor manners, and Effie annoys him with her nagging about his appearance and manners. The two seem to let Katniss and Peeta decide their own choices during preparations for the third Quarter Quell. The night before the third Quarter Quell, Effie is taken away, but before Haymitch and she say their final goodbyes, they are shown to like each other and care for one another. In Mockingjay, it's mentioned that it was the efforts of Haymitch and Plutarch Heavensbee that managed to keep Effie from being executed after the Second Rebellion, although it wasn't an easy job for them.

In the movie adaptation of "Mockingjay", as Haymitch and Effie say their last goodbye, it is shown that they might have become a couple during their time spent in District 13. Haymitch kisses Effie on her cheek and tells her to "not be a stranger". After that, they have a kiss on the mouth and Haymitch promises Effie to take care of Katniss. This event only happens in the movie.

Chaff

Haymitch and Chaff, a District 11 victor, are old friends who both have a sense of humor and occasional bad attitude. They won their games 5 years apart and so have known each other almost all of their mentoring careers. They often got drunk together and played jokes on others to get a laugh out of it. For example, Haymitch and Chaff play a joke on Katniss after the parade in Catching Fire when Chaff kisses Katniss on the lips; they both guffaw over her reaction.

Maysilee Donner

Maysilee Donner: "We'd live longer with two of us."
Haymitch Abernathy: "I guess you just proved that."
—Maysilee and Haymitch[src]

Maysilee was one of the two female tributes reaped for the Second Quarter Quell alongside Haymitch and another boy and girl. It is unknown if Haymitch was acquainted with Maysilee before the two were reaped, although it is possible. During the Games, Maysilee saved Haymitch's life after he was almost killed by a Career tribute, with the two deciding to become allies for most of the remainder of the 50th Hunger Games on her suggestion. While the scope of their relationship during the Games is unclear, the two were close allies, working together to fight off other tributes, collect rainwater, and share food and supplies from fallen tributes. Haymitch appears to have taken a leading role in their alliance, convincing Maysilee to follow him to the edge of the arena in the hopes of finding something useful.

When the two finally reached the edge of arena, they found nothing but a barren cliff. Maysilee suggested turning back, but Haymitch refused. Subsequently, Maysilee broke off the alliance, claiming she did not want it to come down to just her and Haymitch with only five tributes left. Haymitch had no qualms with this and let her take her leave on her own. When Maysilee was attacked by muttations, Haymitch heard her screams and ran to help her, even though he had reasons not to because of their broken alliance and the fact that there were only a few tributes left, showing he had grown to care for her. After Maysilee was fatally injured by the muttations, much like Katniss would do with Rue, Haymitch cradled her in her final moments before she died. Katniss would remark after watching Haymitch's tapes before the 75th Hunger Games about the similarity: she was too late to save Rue, and Haymitch was too late to save Maysilee.

Etymology

Haymitch seems to be derived from the Scottish given name Hamish, which is itself a version of Seamus or James, meaning "supplanter"— one who uproots or removes violently, like Haymitch helps the rebels do to President Snow. His surname, Abernathy, is a North American variation of the Scottish name Abernethy, and a possible nod to American civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy.

Trivia

  • Haymitch and Annie Cresta were the only victors still alive after the war who did not participate in the 75th Hunger Games.
    • During the reaping, each was initially reaped only for a volunteer to take their place: Peeta for Haymitch,[27] and Mags for Annie.[7]
    • Haymitch is the only tribute in the history of the Hunger Games to be reaped for two Quarter Quells.
  • Haymitch is his district's first male victor, and their first victor in forty years.[51] He's also the only victor from 12 who had to mentor tributes.
    • He is the only victor to outlive forty-seven other tributes during his Games.[7]
  • He bears similarities to Ripred, a gnawer from the Underland Chronicles (also by Suzanne Collins), due to being cynical and losing his family.

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mockingjay, Chapter 12
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Hunger Games, Chapter 1
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Catching Fire, Chapter 3
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Catching Fire, Chapter 12
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Hunger Games, Chapter 25
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Catching Fire, Chapter 27
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 Catching Fire, Chapter 14
  8. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 The Hunger Games, Chapter 4
  10. 10.0 10.1 Catching Fire, Chapter 15
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Hunger Games, Chapter 2
  12. The Hunger Games, Chapter 3
  13. The Hunger Games, Chapter 6
  14. The Hunger Games, Chapter 7
  15. The Hunger Games, Chapter 8
  16. The Hunger Games, Chapter 9
  17. The Hunger Games, Chapter 10
  18. The Hunger Games, Chapter 12
  19. 19.0 19.1 The Hunger Games, Chapter 19
  20. The Hunger Games, Chapter 26
  21. The Hunger Games, Chapter 27
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Catching Fire, Chapter 1
  23. Catching Fire, Chapter 4
  24. Catching Fire, Chapter 5
  25. Catching Fire, Chapter 8
  26. Catching Fire, Chapter 9
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Catching Fire, Chapter 13
  28. 28.0 28.1 Catching Fire, Chapter 16
  29. Catching Fire, Chapter 17
  30. Catching Fire, Chapter 18
  31. Catching Fire, Chapter 19
  32. Catching Fire, Chapter 22
  33. 33.0 33.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 5
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 Mockingjay, Chapter 6
  35. Mockingjay, Chapter 7
  36. Mockingjay, Chapter 8
  37. Mockingjay, Chapter 9
  38. Mockingjay, Chapter 10
  39. 39.0 39.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 11
  40. Mockingjay, Chapter 13
  41. Mockingjay, Chapter 14
  42. Mockingjay, Chapter 15
  43. Mockingjay, Chapter 16
  44. Mockingjay, Chapter 17
  45. Mockingjay, Chapter 18
  46. Mockingjay, Chapter 19
  47. Mockingjay, Chapter 25
  48. Mockingjay, Chapter 26
  49. 49.0 49.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 27
  50. The Hunger Games, Chapter 18
  51. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 20
The Hunger Games trilogy
Novels The Hunger GamesCatching FireMockingjay
Main Characters Katniss EverdeenPeeta MellarkGale HawthorneHaymitch AbernathyEffie Trinket
Supporting Characters Primrose EverdeenPresident SnowCinnaMrs. EverdeenMr. EverdeenPresident CoinClaudius TemplesmithCaesar FlickermanMadge UnderseePaylorPlutarch HeavensbeeSeneca Crane
Tributes MarvelGlimmerCatoCloveFoxfaceThreshRueMaysilee DonnerTitus
Past Victors Augustus BraunAnnie CrestaBeetee LatierBlightBrutusCashmereCeceliaChaffEnobariaFinnick OdairGlossJohanna MasonLymeMags FlanaganMorphlingsPorter Millicent TrippSeederWiressWoof
Groups RebellionGamemakersPrep teamTributesVictors
Locations PanemThe CapitolDistrict 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13
Behind the Scenes Suzanne CollinsGary RossFrancis Lawrence
Films The Hunger Games (film)Catching Fire (film)Mockingjay - Part 1Mockingjay - Part 2
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