Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist of the popular Hunger Games trilogy. In the films, she was portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. Even though The Hunger Games has wrapped up its books and movies — aside from a new prequel on the way — it has left a lasting impact on pop culture.
Katniss still remains one of the most popular heroines in young adult literature and in the world of fiction, in general. Throughout her character arc, she did a lot of brazen, shameless acts to rebel against the dystopian landscape she was living in.
Shoots an arrow at the Gamemakers
In the first meeting with the Gamemakers where Katniss has to show off her skills, she gets frustrated because she accidentally shoots an arrow toward a dummy, and misses. Then they all stop paying attention to her and go back to eating and chatting among themselves.
Infuriated, Katniss takes the opportunity to startle everyone by shooting an arrow into an apple held in the mouth of a roasted pig on the table. Then she gives them a sarcastic bow before turning around and exiting the room.
Threatens the Capitol
Katniss and the propaganda team go to District 8 to try and get footage of her looking like the "Mockingjay" so they can broadcast it to the districts. While there, Katniss visits a hospital tending to the many wounded.
Tragically, the Capitol winds up attacking the hospital while they're visiting, which results in many deaths. Katniss channels all of her rage into one of the most iconic lines of the series saying, "if we burn, you burn with us." Her brazen choice of words inspire many, and made the Capitol truly realize how much of a threat she was.
Shoots an arrow into the arena force field
During Catching Fire, Katniss faces off against a new group of supposed "enemies" while competing in the Hunger Games. She begins to question whether or not she can trust people like Finnick and Johanna, but then she understands Beetee's plan and what it means to know who the "real enemy" is.
Katniss boldly wraps wire around her arrow and shoots it into the force field, blowing up the entire arena. After, she gets rescued by Plutarch and brought to the mysterious District 13. Katniss did what she had to do in the moment she realized the Capitol would never stop.
Pretends to be in love with Peeta for sponsors
Peeta and Katniss' relationship was a complicated one, to say the least. A big component of their partnership in the first book was in convincing people they had a tortured, star-crossed lovers thing going on so they'd be more likely to gain sponsors who felt bad for the two of them having to compete and potentially kill the person they loved.
In the books, Katniss fakes her feelings toward Peeta, and he's devastated when he finds out. The movies are a little different, in that they're both in it together. But either way, it was pretty shameless and bold for them to put on a show for the audience.
Illegally poaches in District 12
Katniss and Gale spent a lot of time going hunting when they were still living in District 12. It was the best way for Katniss to provide for her family. However, poaching and hunting were illegal, as decreed by the Capitol.
But it didn't matter to Katniss, who would always do whatever it took to make sure her family was taken care of. They didn't have a lot of money to buy food so Katniss had to find a way for them to get by in any way they could.
Makes alliances with her supposed enemies
No matter what the Capitol threw at her, Katniss would decide which people were worth her time and which weren't. Despite the Capitol's goal to turn all the contenders against each other in the games, Katniss didn't abide by those rules.
Not only did she truly care about Peeta and try to protect him, but she also became friends with Rue and even went out of her way to give her a proper burial. It was a notable act of rebellion.
Kills President Coin
At the end of the series, Katniss is given a chance to execute Snow for everything that he did during his reign in the Capitol. However, she shocks everyone by killing President Coin instead.
Her reasons were that Coin essentially intended to do the same things that Snow did, but pretended she was actually being noble. Her first motion was to reinstate the Hunger Games and use the children of the Capitol to compete. Katniss realized nothing would ever change with Coin in power.
Volunteers as tribute
The story essentially kicks off when the tributes are chosen for the 74th annual Hunger Games. Sadly, Katniss' sister, Prim, is selected. Unwilling to let her sister die in the competition, Katniss makes the decision to volunteer as tribute in Prim's place.
It's very rare for people to volunteer as tribute, which made Katniss' decision all the more important and brave.
Tries to commit suicide with Peeta
At the end of the 74th annual Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta are the last two tributes standing. The rules mean they have to kill each other, but neither is willing to do that.
They fight about who should be the ultimate victor before Katniss comes up with a plan to make the Capitol pay for all that they've done. Katniss convinces Peeta to commit suicide with her by ingesting poisonous berries. If they both die, the Capitol loses, and they're forced to intervene.
Salutes for Rue
As mentioned, Katniss deciding to befriend Rue was a pretty big deal. But to make it even more poignant, Katniss continued to honor Rue's memory. At one point, a man started a salute to Rue, and Katniss took the salute and made it a symbol of the rebellion.
The man who first did the salute sadly ended up killed by the Peacekeepers, but Katniss did not back down.
