--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite…" description: "\"“Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite without hesitation. He swallows, then frowns slightly. \"They're very sweet.\" \"Yes they're sugar berries. My m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/suzanne-collins-60_fantasy_peeta-opens-his-mouth-for-the-first-bite_388856.jpg" --- # Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite without… ![“Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite without hesitation. He swallows, then frowns slightly. "They're very sweet." "Yes they're sugar berries. My mother makes jam from them. Haven't you've ever had them before?" I say, poking the next spoonful in his mouth. "No," he says, almost puzzled. "But…” quote by Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/suzanne-collins-60_fantasy_peeta-opens-his-mouth-for-the-first-bite_388856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/suzanne-collins-60_fantasy_peeta-opens-his-mouth-for-the-first-bite_388856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/suzanne-collins-60_fantasy_peeta-opens-his-mouth-for-the-first-bite_388856.jpg) > ““Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite without hesitation. He swallows, then frowns slightly. "They're very sweet." "Yes they're sugar berries. My mother makes jam from them. Haven't you've ever had them before?" I say, poking the next spoonful in his mouth. "No," he says, almost puzzled. "But they taste familiar. Sugar berries?" "Well, you can't get them in the market much, they only grow wild," I say. Another mouthful goes down. Just one more to go. "They're sweet as syrup," he says, taking the last spoonful. "Syrup." His eyes widen as he realizes the truth. I clamp my hand over his mouth and nose hard, forcing him to swallow instead of spit. He tries to make himself vomit the stuff up, but it's too late, he's already losing consciousness. Even as he fades away, I can see in his eyes what I've done is unforgiveable. I sit back on my heels and look at him with a mixture of sadness and satisfaction. A stray berry stains his chin and I wipe it away. "Who can't lie, Peeta?" I say, even though he can't hear me.”” [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a manipulative act of forcing a character to consume something harmful, revealing cruelty and power dynamics. **In simple terms:** A cruel act of forced consumption. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist manipulative control. Themes power manipulation violence Mood dark intense Type literary dramatic When to use this quote - abuse scenarios - psychological thrillers - ethical debates Key Concepts coercion psychology ethical boundaries Questions to Reflect On - What motivates the aggressor’s cruelty? - How would you intervene in such a situation? A Different Perspective The scene may glorify violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Berries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berries/) [Berries Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berries-mother-3511613/) [Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Sugar Berries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sugar-berries-3511612/) [Syrup Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syrup-eyes-3511615/) [Syrup Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syrup-says-3511614/) [Too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-late/) ## Related quotes > [“I've been down by the stream collecting berries. Would you care for some?" I would, actually, but I don't want to relent too soon.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-ve-been-down-by-the-stream-collecting-berries-would-you-care-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [If my holding out those berries was an act of temporary insanity, then those people will embrace insanity too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/if-my-holding-out-those-berries-was-an-act-of-temporary-insanity-then/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [It must be very fragile, if a handful of berries can bring it down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-must-be-very-fragile-if-a-handful-of-berries-can-bring-it-down/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-bird-the-pin-the-song-the-berries-the-watch-the-cracker-the-dress/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The berries. I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-berries-i-realize-the-answer-to-who-i-am-lies-in-that-handful-of/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [And it’s all my fault, Gale. Because of what I did in the arena. If I had just killed myself with those berries, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/and-it-s-all-my-fault-gale-because-of-what-i-did-in-the-arena-if-i/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I see what I want of Love... I see horses making the meadow dance, fifty guitars sighing, and a swarm of bees suckling the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-darwish/i-see-what-i-want-of-love-i-see-horses-making-the-meadow-dance-fifty/) [Mahmoud Darwish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-darwish/) > [After Halle Berry does her films and Queen Latifah does her films, it's left to all the black, Latino and Asian actresses to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/after-halle-berry-does-her-films-and-queen-latifah-does-her-films-it/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [If you're going to do Chuck Berry, you got to, you know, go all out, and the duck walk is just kind of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mos-def/if-you-re-going-to-do-chuck-berry-you-got-to-you-know-go-all-out-and/) [Mos Def](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mos-def/) > [A solitary American monk named Thomas Berry writes that in our relationship to nature, we have been autistic for centuries. Wrapped tightly in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-benyus/a-solitary-american-monk-named-thomas-berry-writes-that-in-our/) [Janine Benyus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-benyus/) > [They’ll be black because that’s the way they’re seen. Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Halle Berry, have all known that. Will that change? Don’t hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hacker/they-ll-be-black-because-that-s-the-way-they-re-seen-barack-obama/) [Andrew Hacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hacker/) > [Grey cloth coaxes the lime trees of friends shadowing berries dropped by the grateful earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-chicho/grey-cloth-coaxes-the-lime-trees-of-friends-shadowing-berries-dropped/) [Bradley Chicho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-chicho/) > [Even as a kid, I was a businessman. I figured out that if you plucked all the berries off my neighbor's tree and smashed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/even-as-a-kid-i-was-a-businessman-i-figured-out-that-if-you-plucked/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [I’ve blamed her for all of this, for leaving, for ruining me. And maybe that was the seed of it, but from that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-ve-blamed-her-for-all-of-this-for-leaving-for-ruining-me-and-maybe/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/yes-when-i-get-big-and-have-my-own-home-no-plush-chairs-and-lace/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) ## More by Suzanne Collins > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-same-goes-for-the-other-captured-tributes-johanna-and-enobaria/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-never-lets-go-of-annie-s-hand-not-when-they-walk-not-when-they-eat/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to interrupt the taping and beg Finnick’s forgiveness for every false thought I’ve ever had about him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-want-to-interrupt-the-taping-and-beg-finnick-s-forgiveness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I pound on the glass, screaming my head off. Everyone ignores me except for some Capitol attendant who appears behind me and offers me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-pound-on-the-glass-screaming-my-head-off-everyone-ignores-me-except/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/because-it-doesn-t-matter-anymore-and-because-i-m-so-desperately/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Then I dive into my tent before I do something stupid like cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/then-i-dive-into-my-tent-before-i-do-something-stupid-like-cry/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“¡Es que no quiero que me conozcan! ¡Ya me están quitando el futuro! ¡No pueden llevarse también lo que me importaba en el pasado!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/es-que-no-quiero-que-me-conozcan-ya-me-est-n-quitando-el-futuro-no/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-act-delighted-but-i-have-zero-interest-in-these-capitol-people-they/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-punishing-him-over-and-over-for-things-that-are-out-of-his/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, wheras in the Capitol,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/but-the-significant-difference-between-thirteen-and-the-capitol-are/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More Berries quotes > [“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/yes-when-i-get-big-and-have-my-own-home-no-plush-chairs-and-lace/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [I’ve blamed her for all of this, for leaving, for ruining me. And maybe that was the seed of it, but from that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-ve-blamed-her-for-all-of-this-for-leaving-for-ruining-me-and-maybe/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [Even as a kid, I was a businessman. I figured out that if you plucked all the berries off my neighbor's tree and smashed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/even-as-a-kid-i-was-a-businessman-i-figured-out-that-if-you-plucked/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [Grey cloth coaxes the lime trees of friends shadowing berries dropped by the grateful earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-chicho/grey-cloth-coaxes-the-lime-trees-of-friends-shadowing-berries-dropped/) [Bradley Chicho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-chicho/) > [They’ll be black because that’s the way they’re seen. Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Halle Berry, have all known that. Will that change? Don’t hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hacker/they-ll-be-black-because-that-s-the-way-they-re-seen-barack-obama/) [Andrew Hacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hacker/) > [A solitary American monk named Thomas Berry writes that in our relationship to nature, we have been autistic for centuries. Wrapped tightly in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-benyus/a-solitary-american-monk-named-thomas-berry-writes-that-in-our/) [Janine Benyus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-benyus/) > [If you're going to do Chuck Berry, you got to, you know, go all out, and the duck walk is just kind of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mos-def/if-you-re-going-to-do-chuck-berry-you-got-to-you-know-go-all-out-and/) [Mos Def](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mos-def/) > [After Halle Berry does her films and Queen Latifah does her films, it's left to all the black, Latino and Asian actresses to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/after-halle-berry-does-her-films-and-queen-latifah-does-her-films-it/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I see what I want of Love... I see horses making the meadow dance, fifty guitars sighing, and a swarm of bees suckling the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-darwish/i-see-what-i-want-of-love-i-see-horses-making-the-meadow-dance-fifty/) [Mahmoud Darwish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-darwish/) > [For a long time, no village girl would dress her hair or bosom with the sweetest flower from that field of death: and after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/for-a-long-time-no-village-girl-would-dress-her-hair-or-bosom-with/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I love dried mangoes, walnuts, and goji berries. The mix provides iron, antioxidants, and omega-3s and really kicks up my energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-bleiler/i-love-dried-mangoes-walnuts-and-goji-berries-the-mix-provides-iron/) [Gretchen Bleiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-bleiler/) > [I've always had a thing for Catwoman. Michelle Pfeiffer or Halle Berry in tight leather pants, with the boots - I'm pretty good with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-leary/i-ve-always-had-a-thing-for-catwoman-michelle-pfeiffer-or-halle-berry/) [Denis Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-leary/) > [The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-darker-the-berry-the-sweeter-the-juice/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I never liked blues music, and I really didn't like jazz. I liked Chuck Berry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-ramone/i-never-liked-blues-music-and-i-really-didn-t-like-jazz-i-liked-chuck/) [Johnny Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-ramone/) > [No one had ever called her wild before. She wanted to be wild now, for him. Wild seemed more enticing then a bowl of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/no-one-had-ever-called-her-wild-before-she-wanted-to-be-wild-now-for/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) [Browse all 222 Berries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berries/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Peeta opens his mouth for the first bite without hesitation. He swallows, then frowns slightly. \"They're very sweet.\" \"Yes they're sugar berries. My mother makes jam from them. Haven't you've ever had them before?\" I say, poking the next spoonful in his mouth. \"No,\" he says, almost puzzled. \"But they taste familiar. Sugar berries?\" \"Well, you can't get them in the market much, they only grow wild,\" I say. Another mouthful goes down. Just one more to go. \"They're sweet as syrup,\" he says, taking the last spoonful. \"Syrup.\" His eyes widen as he realizes the truth. I clamp my hand over his mouth and nose hard, forcing him to swallow instead of spit. He tries to make himself vomit the stuff up, but it's too late, he's already losing consciousness. Even as he fades away, I can see in his eyes what I've done is unforgiveable. I sit back on my heels and look at him with a mixture of sadness and satisfaction. 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