Skip to content

Gaze Quote by Suzanne Collins

“I brought you this." Gale holds up a sheath. When I take it, I notice it holds a single, ordinary arrow. "It's supposed to be symbolic. You firing the last shot of the war." "What if I miss?" I say. "Does Coin retrieve it and bring it back to me? Or just shoot Snow through the head herself?" "You…” quote by Suzanne Collins
Download Open image
““I brought you this." Gale holds up a sheath. When I take it, I notice it holds a single, ordinary arrow. "It's supposed to be symbolic. You firing the last shot of the war." "What if I miss?" I say. "Does Coin retrieve it and bring it back to me? Or just shoot Snow through the head herself?" "You won't miss." Gale adjusts the sheath on my shoulder. We stand there, face-to-face, not meeting each other's eyes. "You didn't come see me in the hospital." He doesn't answer, so finally I just say it. "Was it your bomb?" "I don't know. Neither does Beetee," he says. "Does it matter? You'll always be thinking about it." He waits for me to deny it; I want to deny it, but it's true. Even now I can see the flash that ignites her, feel the heat of the flames. And I will never be able to separate that moment from Gale. My silence is my answer. "That was the one thing I had going for me. Taking care of your family," he says. "Shoot straight, okay?" He touches my cheek and leaves. I want to call him back and tell him that I was wrong. That I'll figure out a way to make peace with this. To remember the circumstances under which he created the bomb. Take into account my own inexcusable crimes. Dig up the truth about who dropped the parachutes. Prove it wasn't the rebels. Forgive him. But since I can't, I'll just have to deal with the pain.””

Suzanne Collins

About This Quote

Source Book: The Hunger Games series, 2008‑2010

A character confronts painful memories of war, guilt, and loss while seeking truth and forgiveness.

In simple terms: A person deals with war trauma and seeks closure.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge pain and seek healing.

Themes

war guilt memory forgiveness truth

Mood

somber hopeful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • conflict resolution
  • personal healing
  • justice seeking
  • null

Key Concepts

trauma redemption responsibility null

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can one forgive without forgetting?
  • What steps lead to true reconciliation?
A Different Perspective

The narrative may simplify complex moral accountability.

2.2 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Suzanne Collins

Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes

More Gaze quotes

Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes