Empathy Is Not A Weakness by Eleanor
Eleanor's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest
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Empathy Is Not A Weakness by Eleanor - October 2025 Scholarship Essay
In a world built on fear, survival, and oppression, Katniss Everdeen stands out due to her compassion and determination. In The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins introduces a character named Katniss Everdeen. She teaches her readers that empathy and staying true to oneself are not weaknesses, but strengths that inspire change. Even when she is forced into a brutal competition where acts of kindness could result in death, Katniss never lets go of her values or her humanity. Her love and protection of her sister, her care for Rue, and her refusal to become a pawn in the Capitol's game demonstrate that integrity and compassion can survive in the darkest moments.
When Katniss and her sister, Primrose, anxiously await the name drawn from District 12, neither imagines it could be them. When Prim's name is called, Katniss volunteers to take her spot, without hesitating, choosing to save her sister over saving herself. Throughout the Games, she constantly reminds herself of how much she loves Prim and how much she's needed at home. This act shows that true compassion often means prioritizing others' needs before yourself, even at great personal risk.
While fighting to survive, Katniss encounters another tribute, Rue. Recognizing how young and naive she is, so out of instinct. She risks herself to help Rue survive. She teaches her basic survival skills, befriends her, and even kills for her. They come together to try and defeat the leading tributes; however, Rue becomes too weak to finish. Instead of leaving her to survive, she gives Rue a proper goodbye and burial, showing signs of strong empathy. By teaming up with another tribute, it illustrates how caring for others allows Katniss allows her to see the humanity in others and resist dehumanizing forces.
Despite the Capitol's control over the districts, Katniss consistently stays true to her values. President Snow grows angry with her and attempts to manipulate her actions and image, but Katniss resists. She stays true to herself and constantly makes choices based on her values, proving that integrity is a powerful form of resistance.
Katniss Everdeen’s story in The Hunger Games reminds readers that even in the harshest circumstances, compassion and integrity can shine through. Her love for her sister, her empathy for Rue, and her refusal to be controlled by the Capitol reveal that staying true to yourself is one of the greatest forms of strength. Katniss proves that kindness and courage can coexist, and that empathy is not a weakness, but a force capable of inspiring hope and change. Through her actions, Suzanne Collins shows that holding onto your humanity—even when the world tries to take it away—is what makes someone truly heroic.