Oh Geez, This changes things hmmm. I think the story would be that less great. ( look at me I’m happpy that someone died) Since it’s impossible that Katniss kills rue it would have to be either clove or cato because thresh , katniss, peeta, and foxface wouldn’t have been able to kill her. I f rue hadn’t died when she did, the story would have been more complicated and painful.

While Rue might have been helpful logistically at getting to the end, her death was a necessary point in Katniss’s self-understanding as the heart of the coming rebellion. It was Rue’s death that enabled her to see that opposing the Capitol was worth dying for. Prior to Rue’s death, Katniss was still very confused about her place and identity in relationship to the Capitol.

Her living, as PaigeKatniss notes, would have caused problems at the end. Would all three of them have grabbed the berries? Might have been interesting to see.

Everything would have been a lot more complicated. I also highly doubt that Peeta and Katniss would show affection if Rue was still alive, because she’d be with them. Even though Rue’s death was unfortunate, it helped Katniss. (I’m not exactly sure how, but it really did.) The berry scene was perfect just the way it was, with just Peeta and Katniss. <3

i agree completely. Rue was a amazing character but if would have been horrible to hear that katniss had to kill her. in the end it wouldnt have turned out the same and the way rue died with katniss by her side was beautiful(:

The story would have been a completely different beast had Rue lived — even for a short period of time. (It would be something I would have liked to have seen, though, since — even though the story is great post-death of Rue — I can’t help but feel that she was a character who deserved more scene time. Katniss and Peeta’s relationship would have been different with Rue around, of course, but I think that would have been a good trade-off.)

However, as others have already stated, Rue’s death was necessary for Katniss to cement her stance against the Capitol, so it was a strategic plot move on Suzanne Collins’s part even though it took away a character with so much potential.

I also agree; Rue’s death was necessary for Katniss to really begin her rebelious attitude towards the Capitol.

What team are you guys on? TEAM PEETA <3 TEAM GALE?

@Travis Prinzi I think if Rue had been alive, she’d have known those berries were poisonous.

Other than that, I know Peeta is not capable of inhumane killing, yet if [and we're not considering the 'Peeta might be working for Capitol' theory here] Rue’s life was a threat to Katniss – I really would like to know where Peeta should stand then.