Family Comes First

For Katniss, family is everything. When you think about it, family is at the center of everything around Katniss. Prim is the reason she volunteered for the games, after all. She couldn't bear to see her fragile sister die, because for Prim the Games meant certain death. Some might argue that the Capitol is the reason for everything, but I strongly feel that is not the case. In the beginning of the book, Katniss is only concerned about her family's safety. After she shoots the arrows at the Gamemakers, she doesn't really think about how everything is the Capitol's fault, she is only concerned about what will happen to her family. Will they kill them? Hurt them? Turn them into avoxes? I believe Katniss thinks to herself that as long as her family is safe, her life is fine. As long as they are okay, she is okay. 

It is very interesting to me that at the beginning of the series, she is fighting for her family and herself (in that order), but towards the end of the series she is fighting for the rebels, against the Capitol. Self-importance changes to the well being of an entire country. And it all started with family.

Another way family comes to play is when Katniss allies with Rue. She mentioned a few times that Rue reminds her a lot of her sister. Perhaps if Rue didn't have some much in common with Rue, Katniss might not have allied with her. Also, Rue' death is what lead Katniss to her first real kill. If that tribute hadn't killed Rue, Katniss wouldn't have sent that arrow flying into his heart. Most of Katniss's decisions come off of what is best for her family.

I believe that Katniss's fire for surviving came from knowing her family would not survive for long without her. So, my question to you is, do you think family is REALLY what sparked everything? If you don't agree with me, then I would like to know what you think IS the reason for everything. (Maybe  it leads back to more than one thing?)