First and most obviously, you have the mockingjay itself,
which is a symbol of the revolution. It is an interesting one, because the mockingjay
is a creature born unintentionally as a result of the Capital's meddling in the affairs
of nature and human lives. It is an unintended consequence of their rule, just as the
rebellion is an unintended consequence of their harsh rule for so long. Katniss herself
becomes another symbol of the mockingjay, or a visual cue that symbolizes the entire
emotion and drive of the rebellion itself; she beomes the living symbol, whereas the
mockingjay is the token of the rebellion.
Fire too becomes
a symbol; in the previous books, fire was often used in the imagery surrounding Katniss
and Peeta, due to their district burning coal for its living. That fire comes to
represent the rebellion also, in both positive and negative ways. Fire is associated
with Katniss and her symbology for the rebellion. However, as District 12 is torched
and burned to the ground, fire also becomes a symbol for the destrution that occurs in
war.
Another symbol used in the novel is that of the rose.
President Snow is fond of roses, and his visit to Katniss in Catching
Fire forever implants an association between Snow and the rose in our minds,
along with Katniss's. President Snow tries to use that to his advantage by leaving her
gifts of roses along the way, and using the scent of the rose to sicken and weaken her.
The rose is a symbol of President Snow's power and corruption, and of how the Capital is
full of beauty on the surface, but is sickening at its
core.
Those are just a few symbols that are evident in the
novel; I hope that helps to get you started. Good luck!
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