Details regarding the upcoming Hunger Games prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, have officially been released, including the revelation that young Coriolanus Snow will serve as the protagonist. Fans of the Hunger Games novels and movie adaptations would remember Coriolanus as the president of Panem, a tyrant and ruthless killer who emerged as Katniss Everdeen's most prominent enemies, played by Donald Sutherland. Author Suzanne Collins announced her plans to release a prequel last summer much to the excitement of fans.
President Snow was the sadistic ruler of the Capitol and all of Panem, which included 12 districts. Like most of the Capitol citizens, Snow seemed indifferent to the fact that the majority of Panem lived squalor. In fact, the leader was well aware of the conditions but instead, manipulated them while sending their innocent kids into an annual fight to the death. Snow was in attendance during the ceremonial events ahead of Katniss' first games but after she and Peeta Mellark survived, he was quick to share his distaste for her presence in Panem.
The man was extremely paranoid when it came to losing power. Snow wanted to display a sense of perfection in the eyes of those lower to him and if that was threatened, he had no qualms about killing. After the Capitol was overthrown during the rebellion, Katniss executed Alma Coin instead of Snow, but he was still killed by the crowd. That would not be the end of his story since the excerpt released by Collins for the prequel story presents Coriolanus Snow as a young student with big dreams. The most shocking factor is that he will somehow be presented as the prequel's hero despite fans knowing the dictator he turns into. Here's everything the excerpt revealed about young Snow.
The Snow Family Has A Long History In Hunger Games' Capitol
Not much was known about Coriolanus Snow's early life prior to the events of the Hunger Games, other than the notion of him being a native of the Capitol. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place 64 years before Katniss was introduced as Panem's only hope for a better future. Coriolanus is a student at the Academy but his family has a lot of history within the Capitol. While walking the halls ahead of the reaping day festivities for the 10th Hunger Games, Coriolanus mentions that people know him because of his parents and grandparents, meaning he has a reputation to uphold. Coriolanus doesn't view himself as rich, but he's aware that his charm is influential. The Snow family clearly comes from privilege which will have an effect on Coriolanus's decision-making.
Coriolanus Snow Was A Mentor In The 10th Hunger Games
In order to graduate from the Academy, Coriolanus must participate in the final project, which involves mentoring a tribute in the Hunger Games. If he succeeds in his mentorship, he has a better chance at a monetary prize, which would help cover the costs for his enrollment at the University. This is the first year that the 24 tributes, one boy and one girl from each district, is assigned a mentor from the Capitol. Coriolanus isn't sure what mentoring could entail, but he was hoping for a tribute from District 1 or 2 since they often became victors. Instead, Coriolanus' name is called last, assigning him to mentor the girl from District 12. Over six decades later, Coriolanus would be president with a war brewing from the opposition led by the female tribute from that same district. More of Coriolanus Snow's past will be unveiled when The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes releases on May 19, 2020.