The Hunger Games might be a young adult novel mostly written for a teen audience, but it’s an extremely dark series. The entire premise of the story is quite horrific, and so there are many tragic events that happen to the characters from the series.
As the main character and hero of the story, Katniss Everdeen deals with so many traumatic events. Even though she’s only a teenager, she goes through more than any person should ever have to, and it’s a testament to her strength that she’s able to handle all of it.
That she was raised in poverty under a totalitarian regime
Even before Katniss volunteers to be a Tribute to save her sister, her life isn’t easy. Everyone from District 12 deals with very few resources, and they mostly seem to live in poverty while those in the Capitol live in excess.
They are also always being watched by the Peacekeepers and have very little freedom. And, always, the horror of the Games hangs over their heads.
Being manipulated into being a pawn by many of the most powerful people
All along the way, Katniss is manipulated, used, and controlled by different powerful people and factions around her. First, she is forced into the Games, and she then has to try to make Snow happy to keep him from hurting other people.
Then, even with President Coin and the resistance, she is used as a symbol, and they try to manipulate her to suit their agenda.
That her mother was too depressed to care for the family
Katniss’ mother might love her children, but she’s been broken down by what’s happened in her life. Given the situations she is living under, her depression and inability to cope makes some sense, but it leaves Katniss with a lot of responsibility.
It’s definitely unfair that Katniss has to worry about providing and caring for her family.
When Peeta was hurt so he would see Katniss as an enemy
While Katniss often isn’t sure of what her feelings for Peeta are or mean, it’s very clear that she does care about him deeply. She wants to protect him and is loyal to him, so when President Snow captures and tortures Peeta and uses the trackerjacker venom to turn him against Katniss, it’s pretty devastating.
This is truly upsetting. He is conditioned to fear and loathe Katniss, and after everything they had been through together already, it was a lot to handle.
The death of her father
We don’t know all that much about Mr. Everdeen except that Katniss loved him and that he died in a coal mining accident. This just goes to show the rough conditions of living that everyone in District 12 had to deal with.
Losing her father was devastating, and it also left Katniss as the protector and provider in her family as her mother wasn’t up to the job.
Being forced to murder other teens
It’s a testament to the many traumatic things Katniss is put through that this isn’t even at the top of the list. Being forced to kill other pre-teens and teens in order to protect herself was horrible.
It’s impossible to really blame any of the Tributes as they have no say in the matter, but it’s still awful to watch. Katniss didn’t seek out to hurt others, but she would if she needed to protect herself.
Seeing Cinna killed in front of her
Just before Katniss is transported up to the arena for the Quarter Quell, Cinna is killed right in front of her, but she can’t do anything but watch.
This was upsetting to fans as Cinna was one of the best characters, and it was a horrible thing for Katniss to have to deal with as she loved Cinna. It was a clear and disturbing message.
Being forced to participate in the Hunger Games twice
Having to participate in the Hunger Games even once is bad enough, and, even if you beat the odds and are the victor, there’s never really any winning after something so awful.
However, being forced back again right after is even more unimaginable. It’s just one of the many absolutely sadistic things that President Snow does.
Not being able to protect Rue
Rue is one of the most tragic figures in the entire series. She's barely more than a child, and seeing someone as young and good as her be placed in a situation where she has to kill or be killed is truly horrific.
Katniss takes to her right away as she sees her as a younger sister like Prim and wants to protect her. When Rue is killed, it was awful for fans of the series and one of the most traumatic things that happens to Katniss.
That she lost Prim after everything she’d done to protect her
The reason that Katniss volunteered for the Hunger Games was to save her sister's life. So, the true ironic tragedy is that after everything Katniss has to do and endure, she ends up losing Prim right when the war is almost over.
They are so close to a victory when Prim is killed even though she was there as a medic to help the wounded. It just goes to show the horrors of war. Even worse, Prim's death was likely caused, even if accidentally, by Gale.