The development of the book’s protagonist, Coriolanus, from conflicted youth to cold-blooded killer, can be traced via his evolving relationship with Lucy Gray. She is first faceless tribute, then potentially unfaithful lover, before finally transforming into a threat to his very survival. Throughout all of this—even as he claims to love her—Coriolanus struggles to see her as fully human. Gradually, the reader witnesses Coriolanus become President Snow, the consummate villain of the original trilogy: He slowly but surely acknowledges that, for him, people are either objects to be used in the service of his ambition or obstacles to be eliminated on his path to power.

He initially views Lucy Gray in terms of how she can be of use to him. She represents a challenge through which he can gain access to greater power; if his mentorship is successful, then he will attend University and ascend to the presidency as is his birthright. His actions can be interpreted as gestures of gallantry—meeting her at the train station; bringing her food; giving her his mother’s compact—or as self-serving measures that further his own agenda. Likewise, Lucy Gray is defined by her attachment to Coriolanus: She is both his possession, alternately his tribute or “his girl,” and his charge.