on Katniss as well, whom he has already saved from starvation once in their lives. Katniss realizes that Peeta has teamed up with the Careers but has no idea that Peeta is schemingagainst them.

The entire Hunger Games competition is televised, and a love story within the arena would have been a point of high interest for those in the Capitol, particularly after Cinna made sure that the two teens from District 12 garnered the attention of the crowds through his costuming work. Being interesting and lovable to those in the Capitol is quite significant; those who live there can afford to send "gifts" to those in the arena, giving them advantages in the Games.

Peeta thus sets out to convince the audience watching from afar that he is desperately in love with this girl from his district. Katniss finally catches on to his plans, playing into the story by kissing Peeta. This story is undoubtedly tragically fascinating to the audience, and the Gamemakers choose to capitalize on it by announcing that for this Games, two winners can survive if they are from the same district. Peeta's love sways the rules of the Games for long enough to allow many of the other tributes to die—keeping himself and Katniss alive as a team.

When they are the only two contestants remaining, the Gamemakers announce that the rule regarding two winners has been repealed, and they try to force the two lovers from District 12 to kill each other. Peeta and Katniss refuse, and their willingness to commit suicide instead so infuriates President Snow that they find themselves in conflict with him and their society for two novels that follow.