Why did President Snow tell Katniss to “let it fly” when she was pointing her bow and arrow at him?
Very related: Is President Snow sadistic or simply ruthless?
At the end of the Hunger Games movies when President Snow is facing execution with Katniss's arrow, Snow could be seen grinning malevolently and quietly encouraging Katniss to "let it fly." Why did he do that? Given that he'd die in the process, what could he possibly hope to gain by her doing that?
Did he believe that she'd somehow cause herself suffering or discredit herself in the process? If so, why did he care? Based on the linked question, Snow appears to have been ruthless, not sadistic, so what did he care if she suffered after he was dead?
character-motivation the-hunger-games
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
add a comment |
Very related: Is President Snow sadistic or simply ruthless?
At the end of the Hunger Games movies when President Snow is facing execution with Katniss's arrow, Snow could be seen grinning malevolently and quietly encouraging Katniss to "let it fly." Why did he do that? Given that he'd die in the process, what could he possibly hope to gain by her doing that?
Did he believe that she'd somehow cause herself suffering or discredit herself in the process? If so, why did he care? Based on the linked question, Snow appears to have been ruthless, not sadistic, so what did he care if she suffered after he was dead?
character-motivation the-hunger-games
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
2
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
2
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Very related: Is President Snow sadistic or simply ruthless?
At the end of the Hunger Games movies when President Snow is facing execution with Katniss's arrow, Snow could be seen grinning malevolently and quietly encouraging Katniss to "let it fly." Why did he do that? Given that he'd die in the process, what could he possibly hope to gain by her doing that?
Did he believe that she'd somehow cause herself suffering or discredit herself in the process? If so, why did he care? Based on the linked question, Snow appears to have been ruthless, not sadistic, so what did he care if she suffered after he was dead?
character-motivation the-hunger-games
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
Very related: Is President Snow sadistic or simply ruthless?
At the end of the Hunger Games movies when President Snow is facing execution with Katniss's arrow, Snow could be seen grinning malevolently and quietly encouraging Katniss to "let it fly." Why did he do that? Given that he'd die in the process, what could he possibly hope to gain by her doing that?
Did he believe that she'd somehow cause herself suffering or discredit herself in the process? If so, why did he care? Based on the linked question, Snow appears to have been ruthless, not sadistic, so what did he care if she suffered after he was dead?
character-motivation the-hunger-games
character-motivation the-hunger-games
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
edited 6 hours ago
Laurel
4,07511634
4,07511634
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
asked 8 hours ago
EJSEJS
3,29341543
3,29341543
speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
2
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
2
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago
add a comment |
speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
2
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
2
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago
speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
2
2
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
2
2
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
it's a macho thing, and not entirely uncommon.
Snow is figuratively spitting in her face, and demonstrating that although she can kill him, she cannot make him afraid.
It's rather like the occasional hero who, when being executed by a firing squad, refuses the blindfold.
When you have accepted the fact of your impending death, the details of how you die can become very important.
While I cannot find the attribution, I do recall reading about an individual in the Wild West who, when cornered by a vigilante committee, refused to run and was shot down. It was said that, if he had to go, he'd rather have the bullet holes in front, rather than in back.
Like I say, it's a macho thing.
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
add a comment |
It was the best of his options.
A well-placed shot through the head is a fairly quick death. Considerably better than being torn apart by a mob, or whatever else they may have had cooked up for him. Snow, either in spite of being a power-hungry dictator or because of it, understood the kind of people he was dealing with - and likely saw that this was best of all the options available to him.
Considering his crimes and the alternatives (and possibly an ugly death from an illness he clearly had), he may have seen such a death as a near-victory.
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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oldest
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
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active
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it's a macho thing, and not entirely uncommon.
Snow is figuratively spitting in her face, and demonstrating that although she can kill him, she cannot make him afraid.
It's rather like the occasional hero who, when being executed by a firing squad, refuses the blindfold.
When you have accepted the fact of your impending death, the details of how you die can become very important.
While I cannot find the attribution, I do recall reading about an individual in the Wild West who, when cornered by a vigilante committee, refused to run and was shot down. It was said that, if he had to go, he'd rather have the bullet holes in front, rather than in back.
Like I say, it's a macho thing.
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
add a comment |
it's a macho thing, and not entirely uncommon.
Snow is figuratively spitting in her face, and demonstrating that although she can kill him, she cannot make him afraid.
It's rather like the occasional hero who, when being executed by a firing squad, refuses the blindfold.
When you have accepted the fact of your impending death, the details of how you die can become very important.
While I cannot find the attribution, I do recall reading about an individual in the Wild West who, when cornered by a vigilante committee, refused to run and was shot down. It was said that, if he had to go, he'd rather have the bullet holes in front, rather than in back.
Like I say, it's a macho thing.
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
add a comment |
it's a macho thing, and not entirely uncommon.
Snow is figuratively spitting in her face, and demonstrating that although she can kill him, she cannot make him afraid.
It's rather like the occasional hero who, when being executed by a firing squad, refuses the blindfold.
When you have accepted the fact of your impending death, the details of how you die can become very important.
While I cannot find the attribution, I do recall reading about an individual in the Wild West who, when cornered by a vigilante committee, refused to run and was shot down. It was said that, if he had to go, he'd rather have the bullet holes in front, rather than in back.
Like I say, it's a macho thing.
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
it's a macho thing, and not entirely uncommon.
Snow is figuratively spitting in her face, and demonstrating that although she can kill him, she cannot make him afraid.
It's rather like the occasional hero who, when being executed by a firing squad, refuses the blindfold.
When you have accepted the fact of your impending death, the details of how you die can become very important.
While I cannot find the attribution, I do recall reading about an individual in the Wild West who, when cornered by a vigilante committee, refused to run and was shot down. It was said that, if he had to go, he'd rather have the bullet holes in front, rather than in back.
Like I say, it's a macho thing.
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
answered 3 hours ago
WhatRoughBeastWhatRoughBeast
4,02821126
4,02821126
add a comment |
add a comment |
It was the best of his options.
A well-placed shot through the head is a fairly quick death. Considerably better than being torn apart by a mob, or whatever else they may have had cooked up for him. Snow, either in spite of being a power-hungry dictator or because of it, understood the kind of people he was dealing with - and likely saw that this was best of all the options available to him.
Considering his crimes and the alternatives (and possibly an ugly death from an illness he clearly had), he may have seen such a death as a near-victory.
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
add a comment |
It was the best of his options.
A well-placed shot through the head is a fairly quick death. Considerably better than being torn apart by a mob, or whatever else they may have had cooked up for him. Snow, either in spite of being a power-hungry dictator or because of it, understood the kind of people he was dealing with - and likely saw that this was best of all the options available to him.
Considering his crimes and the alternatives (and possibly an ugly death from an illness he clearly had), he may have seen such a death as a near-victory.
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
add a comment |
It was the best of his options.
A well-placed shot through the head is a fairly quick death. Considerably better than being torn apart by a mob, or whatever else they may have had cooked up for him. Snow, either in spite of being a power-hungry dictator or because of it, understood the kind of people he was dealing with - and likely saw that this was best of all the options available to him.
Considering his crimes and the alternatives (and possibly an ugly death from an illness he clearly had), he may have seen such a death as a near-victory.
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
It was the best of his options.
A well-placed shot through the head is a fairly quick death. Considerably better than being torn apart by a mob, or whatever else they may have had cooked up for him. Snow, either in spite of being a power-hungry dictator or because of it, understood the kind of people he was dealing with - and likely saw that this was best of all the options available to him.
Considering his crimes and the alternatives (and possibly an ugly death from an illness he clearly had), he may have seen such a death as a near-victory.
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
answered 2 hours ago
Misha RMisha R
5,31623062
5,31623062
add a comment |
add a comment |
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speculation: he's reveling in the fact that she hates him for being a murderer - and in turn will be a murderer (ie - no trial, etc...) herself if she executes him. She will become him
– NKCampbell
7 hours ago
@NKCampbell That's a definite possibility. Although I suppose that that would still leave the question of why he cares what happens to her after she's dead, which seems a little out of character.
– EJS
7 hours ago
2
Just a sense of schadenfreude and a 'you're no better than me' satisfaction to take to the grave would be my bet, and that, in a way, it would let him 'off the hook' that he had, in fact, not faced true justice and been judged immoral but simply taken out by the next despot
– NKCampbell
5 hours ago
2
Snow had also laid the seeds of doubt in Katniss prior to this about the new leadership's intentions - which showed signs of being accurate - I think he was just enjoying the mind games which ever way it played out.
– Andrew
5 hours ago