- "Well, it looks like we've got another big, big, big day ahead of us..."
- —Effie Trinket [src]
Effie Trinket is a high functioning and flamboyant resident of the Capitol and official tribute escort for District 12, working closely with mentor Haymitch Abernathy. According to Katniss Everdeen, Effie has served as the District 12 escort for several years prior to the 74th Hunger Games, though was unable produce a winning tribute. Although Effie longs for a promotion to a more desirable district, her life is changed forever after Katniss Everdeen volunteers for her sister, Primrose, during the Reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. Following her and Peeta Mellark's victory, Effie continues to serve as their escort for the 74th Victory Tour, in which she aids in the narrative of presenting Katniss and Peeta as "star-crossed" lovers in order to prevent unrest in the districts. Following the announcement of the 75th Hunger Games and Katniss and Peeta's forced participation, Effie begins to grow sympathetic towards many of the victor's anti-Capitol sentiment, and eventually sides with the rebellion during the war.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Effie was raised in the Capitol, in which she led an incredibly privileged life as she was afforded many of the luxuries and opportunities not available to those residing in the districts. Eventually, she earned herself a job as a tribute escort, in which she was tasked with hosting the Reaping every year. Although Effie was assigned the least desirable and poorest district, known for its export of coal and unremarkable tributes, she maintained a positive and upbeat attitude, and put her all into her work. Following the Reaping for the 73rd Hunger Games, Effie was unimpressed by the reaped tribute's table manners, unaware or oblivious to the fact that their apparent lack of manners were a direct result of their severe malnourishment.
74th Hunger Games[]
- "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
- —Effie Trinket[src]
Effie presides over the District 12 annual reaping.
In 74 ADD, during the Reaping for the 74th Hunger Games in District 12, Effie wears a spring green suit with pinkish hair, a look which catches the attention of sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen. Effie is visibly uncomfortable when a drunk Haymitch Abernathy stumbles onto the stage in front of the Justice Building. Haymitch attempts to give Effie a hug, which she barely manages to fend off, leaving her wig slightly askew. After being introduced by Mayor Undersee, Effie picks Primrose Everdeen from the girl's reaping ball. Wanting to protect her sister, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place, making history as the first volunteer ever from District 12. Effie then reaps Peeta Mellark as the boy tribute, unaware of his connection to Katniss. She escorts Peeta and Katniss to the train station, where they are then taken to the Capitol. On board the train, Effie summons the two tributes for dinner and comments on their good manners in comparison to the tributes from last year. Taking offense to this comment, Katniss purposefully begins to eat with her hands to irritate her. When Katniss mocks Haymitch's drunkenness, Effie grows angry, reminding her that they will need him as a mentor and to get them sponsors once they are in the arena.
Once they arrive in the Capitol, Effie begins to talk her tributes up to other Capitol socialites, hoping to earn them some sponsors. Effie, in an attempt to promote her two tributes, makes the incorrect claim that if coal in pressed hard enough it turns into pearls much to the amusement of Katniss and Peeta. Effie and Haymitch struggle to get along due to Haymitch's constant state of drunkenness and lack of manners, but work together regardless along with Portia and Cinna, Peeta and Katniss' stylists. Effie is ecstatic after their chariot entrance in the city square is a resounding success with the Capitol audience, elevating her and Cinna's popularity and status.
Victory Tour[]
75th Hunger Games[]
Rebellion[]
Immediately following the destruction of the arena, Effie is taken into custody by Capitol forces.
Personality and Traits[]
Effie cares a lot for her own looks and career, however after the Games, it becomes clear that she does, in fact, care for Katniss and Peeta. She can be a lovely person, but she becomes emotional very quick. She also is quite the drama queen.
Relationships[]
Katniss Everdeen[]
Before the games, it seems like Effie doesn’t really care about Katniss, thinking she will die in the Games. After the games, however, it shows that Effie is very happy to see Katniss again. When Effie and Katniss say their last goodbyes in Mockingjay, Part Two, Effie becomes emotional and tells Katniss that she deserves the life of a victor. Katniss loves Effie although she is a bit of a drama queen.
Peeta Mellark[]
Like with Katniss, at first Effie does not really care about Peeta in the beginning, but when Katniss hurt his hands, she defends Peeta and states that Katniss should not have done that. After the games, the two become friends and Effie really starts to care about Peeta. He is friendly to her and he behaves well.
Haymitch Abernathy[]
Effie does not really like Haymitch in the first movie/book, due to his drinking. But when time goes by, Effie learns to live with Haymitch and they become close friends. After the rebellion, when Effie says goodbye to Haymitch, he kisses her on the cheek and seconds later on her lips. This shows that Effie is very fond of Haymitch. A lot of people ship them.
Cinna[]
Although he and Effie are both an important part of Katniss’ games, there is no interaction between the two, except when Effie tells Katniss that Cinna is indeed dead (Mockingjay). But I think we can all agree that they were friends.