Peeta Mellark

"Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their games."

- Peeta Mellark

Peeta Mellark is one of of the main characters of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Peeta is the male tribute from District 12, picked alongside Katniss Everdeen to participate in the 74th annual Hunger Games, a competition that forces children to fight to the death on live television, that everyone is required to watch, to remind the nation of Panem not to rebel against the Capitol. During a pre-game interview, he confesses his love for Katniss, making her look desirable to potential sponsors. Peeta and Katniss both win, though this is against the rules, and after the games President Snow kills Seneca Crane for allowing them both to win. Peeta and Katniss have a complicated relationship throughout the series, further complicated in Mockingjay as Peeta is hijacked by the Capitol and the vast majority of his good memories of Katniss are twisted and turned negative. He will be portrayed by Josh Hutcherson in the film adaptation of the book.

Early life
Although he grew up in the merchant area of District 12, Peeta's childhood was less than desirable, as his family life was difficult. His father was kind, but his mother was known to beat Peeta and his two brothers if they made a mistake or did something she did not like in the bakery.

Ever since he was was five years old, Peeta had a crush on Katniss Everdeen. On the first day of school, Peeta's father pointed out Katniss, saying that he wanted to marry her mother, but ultimately she married a coal miner. Peeta was confused why someone would marry a coal miner instead of his father, but Mr. Mellark explained that when Mr. Everdeen sang, the birds stopped to listen. Later, Katniss sang for their music class, and Peeta realized he was in love with her when he saw that the birds were listening. The two never spoke until the 74th Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games
We first see Peeta when he is selected as the male tribute from District 12 in the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss recognizes him instantly, knowing that he is the boy who, five years prior, purposely burnt bread and gave it to her to save her from starvation - an act that gave her the hope and courage to feed her family.

Once he is reaped, he goes to the Justice Building where his family comes to visit him. His father is distraught, whereas his mother says that perhaps District 12 will have a victor: Katniss. Peeta and Katniss leave the District on the train to the Capitol, escorted by Effie Trinket. On the first night on the train, Peeta is irritated by the District 12 mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, because of his drinking problem and his obvious lack of interest in helping the tributes survive. When Haymitch tells them, "here's some advice. Stay alive," Peeta breaks his wine glass and receives a punch in the face as a result. Katniss then jams a knife in between Haymitch's hand and his wine bottle. Haymitch is impressed by their potential and decides that as long as they don't interfere with his drinking, he will stay sober enough to help them.

When Peeta arrives in the Capitol he is fixed up by his prep team, led by his stylist, Portia. He and Katniss both are dressed in black unitards with synthetic fire to represent burning coal. The Capitol receives more positively than any of the other District tributes during the Opening Ceremonies, where they are instructed to hold hands.

During the training process, Haymitch instructs Katniss and Peeta to stay together every step of the way, though they protest due to their tendency to argue and disagree. Peeta excels at looking like the two of them are friends, easing Katniss into conversation and responding to what she's saying at all the right times. He receives a training score of 8 after his private session with the Gamemakers, saying that he threw some weights around because the Gamemakers were clearly not interested in him.

Despite having agreed to train alongside Katniss at the beginning, Peeta decides to prepare for his interview separately. During his interview with Caesar Flickerman, he reveals he is in love with Katniss, much to her surprise. This confession begins the idea that the two are the "star-crossed lovers from District 12," which Haymitch believes will help them get sponsors.

The night before the Games, Peeta and Katniss talk on the rooftop about the horrors that await them in the arena. Peeta admits that he does not believe he has ever been a contender in the games, but merely wants to die as himself and show the Capitol that he is "more than just a piece in their games." Katniss finds herself frustrated by his pessimistic outlook, thinking it foolish of him to have given up already.

At the beginning of the games, it is Peeta who distracts Katniss when she looks ready to run into the bloodbath in order to grab the bow and arrows. He surprisingly teams up with the careers, as Katniss finds out on the first night. What she does not know is that he is only with them in order to protect her. When an argument breaks out about the dying tribute from District 8 and whether or not the pack should go back to kill her, Peeta says they are wasting time and finishes her off himself.



After the fire storm, none of the Careers die, but they are injured and much slower than before. They find Katniss and chase her up a tree, with Peeta suggesting that they make camp under it, as none of them are able to climb after her. In the morning, they wake up to a tracker jacker attack after Katniss unleashes a nest of them. The Careers, minus Glimmer and the female tribute from District 4, who die from their stings, retreat to the lake. Peeta finds Katniss at the scene of the attack as she is removing the bow and arrows from Glimmer's body, and he urges her to run due to Cato's impending attempt to kill her. Cato witnesses this exchange and cuts Peeta in his upper thigh for his actions, severely wounding him. Peeta uses mud and dirt to camouflage himself by a stream, where Katniss finds him after Claudius Templesmith announces the new rule: if the last two tributes standing are from the same district, they can both win. She nurses him back to health as best she can, but ultimately he is suffering from blood poisoning, which she cannot cure without medicine. During this time, Peeta plays up the star-crossed lovers angle and Katniss responds as best as she can, which results in sponsor gifts of food.

Claudius Templesmith makes another announcement that they have a feast planned, where a bag containing something that each remaining tribute desperately needs will be placed at the Cornucopia. Katniss knows she has to go, but Peeta won't let her, saying he doesn't want her to die for him. Haymitch then sends Katniss sleep syrup, which she slyly gives to Peeta, who is hurt by her trickery before he falls into a deep sleep, giving her time to go to the feast. She manages to return with the medicine, after nearly dying at the hands of Clove. She is only saved when Thresh kills Clove and spares Katniss for having teamed up with Rue, his deceased district partner.



Peeta is noticeably better after he receives the medicine, and takes care of Katniss, who is wounded from the battle at the feast. They stay in their cave during a thunderstorm, during which Thresh dies, presumably at the hands of Cato. Peeta uses the time to further their star-crossed lovers act, and the two share a passionate kiss. After the storm ends, the pair heads out to hunt for food, but Katniss is frustrated by all the noise that Peeta, who is not used to hunting in the woods, makes. They decide to split up, with Katniss teaching Peeta the four-note whistle that she used with Rue to signify to the other that they were safe. When Katniss does not hear Peeta whistle after an extended period time, she is frightened and, upon finding him, chastises him for worrying her. She notices that their collection of food, which contains deadly nightlock berries that Peeta mistakenly picked out, is missing a portion, and is irritated with him for having eaten without her, but he denies doing so. A cannon sounds, and they see Foxface's emaciated body being picked up by a hovercraft; she stole the food and ate the nightlock, which instantly killed her.

With only three of them left in the Arena, the Gamemakers drain all sources of water except for the lake, forcing Katniss and Peeta to confront Cato and end the Games in one way or another. They notice, at the Cornucopia, that Cato is covered in full-body armor that protects him from Katniss's arrows. The three of them are attacked by wolf muttations that the Gamemakers unleash, with Katniss noticing that they all resemble the deceased tributes. They climb into the Cornucopia for safety, with Cato holding Peeta in a headlock to cut off his oxygen. Knowing that to shoot him in the head would mean both his and Peeta's deaths, Katniss does not know what to do until Peeta draws an "X" on Cato's hands, signaling for Katniss to shoot him there, which she does. Cato falls to the mutts and later returns bloody and mangled, begging for Katniss to perform a mercy kill, and so she shoots him in the head.

When Cato's body is removed and the muttations retreat, Katniss and Peeta believe that they have won the games, but Claudius Templesmith then announces that the rule has been taken away and only one tribute can win. Peeta tells Katniss to kill him, but not wanting to go home without him, Katniss refuses. Realizing that the Capitol would rather have two victors than none, Katniss and Peeta decide to commit suicide with the remaining nightlock. Right before they consume the berries, Claudius Templesmith begs them to stop and announces that they both have won the games. At their final interview with Caesar Flickerman, the pair once again puts on that they are madly in love, with Katniss only doing so because she knows that President Snow is extremely unhappy. Peeta, however, is genuinely in love with her, as is revealed on their train ride home, when Katniss admits that she has been partially faking her feelings for him, leaving him heartbroken.

Catching Fire
Although still heartbroken from learning that Katniss doesn't share his feelings, Peeta doesn't abandon their image of star-crossed lovers and still "performs" well in front of the camera, playing his role of a boy lost in love. He and Katniss go on the Victory Tour, which begins at District 11. On the train there, when Katniss loses her temper with Effie, Peeta calms her down and suggests that they remain friends despite all that has happened between them. At nights on the train, Katniss often wakes up screaming from nightmares. To comfort her, Peeta holds her while she sleeps; this becomes a nightly routine.

When they arrive at District 11, Peeta makes a speech in which he offers to give Thresh and Rue's families a portion of his earnings each month for a year - something that has never been done before, possibly due to it being against the rules. After Katniss makes a rousing speech about Rue, a man whistles Rue's four-note tune and the entire audience shows their support for Katniss by placing their middle three fingers on their lips and holding them out to her. As Peeta and Katniss go into the District 11 justice building, they see the man who whistled as he is executed by gunshot to the head. Peeta is shocked, forcing Katniss and Haymitch to explain that Snow does not believe their act of love and that they have been trying to downplay any signs of rebellion on the tour. Angry that he has been left out and therefore his kind gesture to Thresh and Rue's family might have risky, Peeta lashes out until Katniss comforts him.

During an interview with Caesar Flickerman, Peeta proposes to Katniss in an attempt to convince President Snow of their love. Katniss, however is convinced by Snow that this was not good enough. She suggests that they run away together, bringing Gale and her family along with them, as Peeta's family likely would not agree. This plan becomes null when Gale is caught hunting and the new Head Peacekeeper, Romulus Thread, publicly whips him, with Katniss realizing that she has to stay in the District and fight alongside the rebels.

When it comes time for the 75th Hunger Games, or the Third Quarter Quell, Katniss and Peeta think they are going to become mentors for two new tributes. However, President Snow announces that the criteria for this Quarter Quell is that the tributes will be chosen from the pool living victors. With District 12 having only three living victors (Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch), it is clear that Katniss will go back into the arena, with Peeta determined to volunteer should Haymitch be picked in order to protect her. When he finds Katniss and Haymitch hungover the morning after the announcement, Peeta is infuriated and rids Haymitch of any access to alcohol so that the three of them can train like career tributes.

At the reaping, Katniss is obviously drawn as the female tribute and Haymitch is drawn as the male tribute, but Peeta volunteers to take his place immediately. They take the train to the Capitol, and when they both can't sleep, they decide to watch the video of the 50th Hunger Games, or the Second Quarter Quell - the Games that produced Haymitch Abernathy as victor. They learn of Haymitch's ingenious strategy in which he used the forcefield around the arena as a tool during his final battle, a plan that amuses Katniss, who believes that it was almost as bad as her pulling out the berries due to the fact that the Capitol had not intended for anyone to recognize or use the forcefield.

Once they arrive in the Capitol, Peeta and Katniss are once again dressed in fiery costumes for the Opening Ceremonies, where they are instructed by their stylists, Portia and Cinna, to look stoic and serious. The crowd is extremely sympathetic to their love, for it seems that things will never go right for the star-crossed lovers. For training, Haymitch suggests they make friends, as the fellow tributes have known each other for years and already have strong friendships. Peeta fares better in this area than Katniss, but ultimately neither of them want the other tributes as their allies except for each other.

When it comes time for their training evaluations, Peeta and Katniss both shock the Gamemakers without having planned it: Peeta paints a picture of Rue when Katniss decorated her dead body with flowers, and Katniss hangs a dummy on which she writes "Seneca Crane." To single them out and make the other tributes want to fight against them, the Gamemakers give them both scores of 12. In his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Peeta astonishes the audience with his revelation that Katniss is pregnant, trying to incite the Capitol's sympathy.

The Quell ends up being set in a jungle terrain with seawater surrounding the Cornucopia. Each tribute is placed on a flotation device in the water. Because Peeta cannot swim, Finnick Odair from District 4, who Katniss teams up with only when he sees that he is wearing a bracelet Haymitch must have given to him, retrieves him and Mags from their devices. The four of them team up, collect weapons from the Cornucopia, and leave before the Career pack reaches them. They walk throughout the day, knowing they must set up camp and find water. However, Peeta unknowingly walks into a forcefield that surrounds the arena and falls down, his heart having stopped. Katniss is in hysterics and believes that Finnick, who pushes her away from Peeta's body, is trying to make certain that Peeta is dead, until she realizes that Finnick is performing CPR on him and manages to revive Peeta.

Weak, but willing to move, the alliance moves slowly until they decide to set up camp, knowing they must find water. They receive a spile from sponsors, which allows them to collect water from inside trees. Katniss keeps watch the first night until she wakes the other three in order to run away from oncoming poisonous fog. Peeta, due to his condition and his fake leg, has difficulty keeping up, forcing Finnick to carry him on his back and Katniss to carry Mags. Eventually too winded to continue, Katniss can no longer keep Mags on her back and asks if Finnick can, but he shakes his head. Mags then plants a kiss on Finnick's lips and walks straight into the mist, allowing them to continue on. The fog stops chasing them when they reach the water, which they use to heal the effects of the poison.

Peeta elects to tap a tree for water, but as he does so, Katniss and Finnick spot monkey muttations in the trees. Trying to calmly get him to back away from the tree, Katniss asks him to "look at something," but Peeta instinctively glances up and sets the monkeys off. The three of them form a triangular shape and fend of the monkeys, but when Katniss runs out of arrows, she asks Peeta to release the sheath of hers that he has, giving a monkey time to nearly sink its claws into Peeta's chest if not for the female Morphling from District 6 jumping in the way, saving him. The monkeys retreat and Peeta stays by the Morphling's side as she dies, telling her about his paintings.

Once they recover from the monkey attack, they travel throughout the arena until they run into Johanna Mason, Wiress, and Beetee, who they add to their alliance. The groups pool their resources and experience conflict when it is clear that Johanna and Katniss cannot get along, but they keep on the lookout for the Career tributes. Wiress keeps muttering, "tick, tock" until Katniss discovers what it means: the arena is a clock. Peeta draws a map of the arena on a leaf, marking the sections where they know what exists. Wiress then serves as the group's "canary," singing a song which will only stop if she detects danger. When Katniss no longer hears the song, she turns around to find that Gloss has slit Wiress' throat and shoots him in response. Johanna then digs her axe into Cashmere's chest. When three cannons go off, signaling that there is no need to finish off Gloss and Cashmere and no way to help Wiress, the group tries to attack Enobaria and Brutus, but they just manage to escape.

On the second night the alliance discusses Beetee's plan to wipe out the remaining Careers by using his wire and coil, the lightning bolt that strikes the tree at midnight, and the beach. On the third day, Katniss "teaches Peeta how to swim," when in reality gets him alone in order to suggest that they break off their alliance. Peeta uses this opportunity to give her a pearl and a locket with a picture of her family on one side and Gale on the other, trying to convince her not to sacrifice her life for him, as he realizes that she and Haymitch want to keep him alive. He insists that his family does not need him back home and that he would have nothing to live for if Katniss died, but that she could still start a family with Gale.

That night, they decide to commence Beetee's plan, with Katniss and Johanna reluctantly teaming up and setting the wire in place, while Peeta, Finnick, and Beetee fulfill the rest of the plan. Peeta does not want to separate from Katniss, but she convinces him that it is necessary, telling him she'll "see [him] at midnight." When Finnick and Beetee begin their real plan to save Katniss, Peeta is confused and goes out to find her. In his search, Peeta kills Brutus in a fit of rage after Brutus kills Chaff, Haymitch's friend from District 11. Katniss then remembers Haymitch's advice to her - "remember the enemy" - and she shoots an arrow at the forcefield, destroying it. The Capitol arrives to capture the remaining six tributes, but Katniss, Finnick and Beetee are rescued by the rebellion to go to District 13, (which was told by the Capitol that it was destroyed and it no longer exists.) While Peeta is among those captured by the Capitol (along with Enobaria and Johanna), where Katniss believes he is being tortured for information he does not have.

Mockingjay
PEETA IS THE BEST In the third and final book, Mockingjay, Peeta is held captive by President Snow and used against Katniss. During his captivity, he was tortured and beaten. The Capitol interrogated him for answers but he knew none and was tortured more. Peeta was kept alive so they could use him to break Katniss. He first appears in an interview with Caeser Flickerman. The interview begins with Peeta explaining what happened in the arena before the force field blew up and aggressively defending Katniss' innocence. Peeta finishes the interview by stating that a cease-fire is the best option for the rebels, otherwise, human life may cease to exist. Katniss notes he appears healthy.

Katniss also decides to be the mockingjay, on the condition that once Peeta, Johanna, Annie and Enobaria are rescued, they must not be held liable for any mistakes they have made (Katniss knows they probably wont keep this condition, so makes President Coin announce it in public).

After more propos begin airing from the rebels, Peeta appears in another interview, fifteen pounds thinner, and completely ill in appearance. He and Caesar exchange empty comments and Caesar asks for his view of the rumors that Katniss is shooting a propo. He states that Katniss shouldn't trust anyone and that they are using her. Peeta's last thing he says before the interview ends is Katniss should find out what they are planning.

Peeta is interviewed by Caesar for the third time. Peeta implies that District 13 will be bombed after saying, "And you...in Thirteen...dead by morning!" As Beetee fights for reception with the Capitol, Peeta is seen being beaten and his blood splatters across the screen. After the bombing - and much thinking - Katniss has a breakdown in the middle of shooting a propo. She knows the Capitol is using Peeta, torturing him to try to break her, so she will stop the rebellion, and let the Capitol regain power. Katniss can't stand this and loses it when she's asked to film. Finnick does too.

After witnessing both Finnick's, and Katniss' breakdowns, a rescue mission is staged. After distracting the Capitol with live propaganda, Peeta is saved. Katniss runs to his side, only to have him attempt to strangle her. It is revealed that he was "hijacked", and Peeta's memories of Katniss are severely distorted in frightening, life threatening ways and as a result of this he is driven insane, and becomes very hysterical and unstable. He believes that Katniss is a mutt designed by the Capitol intent on destroying him who tried to kill him, and succeeded in killing all of his friends and family. Peeta belives that Katniss is responible for district 12 being destroyed, along with claiming she killed everyone. He lashes out in uncharacteristic fits of aggression, retreats into his own head, temporarily loses the power of speech, cannot differentiate between what is an illusion and what is reality, and at one point argues with himself in a fit of madness as though he is two different people. He is only allowed to be treated by people he never knew before so not to trigger anything harmful. Delly Cartwright is the only one able to make contact with him in the beginning, as they share old childhood memories. He shouts that the destruction of District 12 is Katniss' fault and calls her a mutt. Peeta watches Katniss sing the Hanging Tree during her propoganda and says he remembers her father singing it.

After Katniss is shot in District Two, Peeta is noted to have improved slightly, even being able to frost Annie and Finnick Odair's wedding cake. Haymitch states that he has certain episodes, sometimes becoming rabid, acting like two different people, or even primal. It also mentions that he could only sleep if he was in shackles. Peeta is able to have a full conversation with Haymitch and he asks if he could speak with Katniss. Katniss ends the conversation fast and tries to leave but Peeta stops her by saying he remembers the bread he gave her so she wouldn't starve. Later Peeta shows up unannounced to Katniss, Gale, Beetee, Delly, Johanna, Annie and Finnick and sits next to Johanna. Peeta tells Finnick to take care of Annie. Peeta and Katniss continue to be harsh to one another until Johanna points out that he is not the same person anymore.

Peeta is sent by President Coin to join the group of Special Sharpshooters, containing Katniss, Gale, and Finnick. He is watched over 24/7 and denied the nightlock pill, which will deliver an unpainful death when taken. To help him cope with his confusion between memories that were real and memories that have been hijacked, the team devise a game to play with him called "Real or Not Real?" At one point during a fight with enemies, he is going insane due to his conflicting memories and almost kills Katniss until he is tackled to the floor by Mitchell this causes him to freak out and kicks Mitchell into a trap, that when set off, releases a net of barbed wire. He feels very guilty about it later and insists that they leave him to the Capitol. Peeta is so sadden by his act of killing Mitchell, he wants to be killed. Peeta asks to be given a nightlock pill but Katniss refuses to give him one. The squad travels underground and Katniss notes that a moment Peeta was the real him. During the night, Katniss is able to have a conversation with him. Peeta asks if she is trying to protect him and she tells him she is still trying to protect him as he is trying to protect her. The squad is later attacked by lizard mutts that hiss Katniss' name. When Katniss tries to take the handcuffs off of Peeta, he disagrees and tell her that they help him grip reality (Pressing the cuffs sharp edges down against his wrist). When they are underground, Peeta huddles himself together. He is frightened of everything that he knows, thinks, and how he acts. Katniss finally gets him to keep going by kissing him, referencing memories of times when he loved her, and he agrees. They later go undercover into crowds of evacuating people, splitting up,Katniss and Peeta say their goodbyes to each other. Peeta goes first with the nightlock that was given to him by Gale.

On the day of President Snow's execution, Katniss kills President Coin with the arrow that was meant for Snow's execution. Katniss tries to commit suicide when the guards come for her, but Peeta stops her. He implies later that he too went mad after Coin's death and that Aurelius, Katniss's mental doctor, was treating him too. He returns to District Twelve weeks after Katniss and Haymitch, where he plants several evening primroses along the house in honor of Katniss's dead sister, Prim. When she starts to write a book about their experiences during the Hunger Games, along with things she is unwilling to forget about it, Peeta and Haymitch join her. Peeta draws the victims if they were not able to find a picture of them. Although Peeta still has some "episodes" where the hijacking will try to take over again, he is mentioned clenching onto the back of a chair until it passed. Otherwise, he displays signs that he has returned to his former self. Peeta plays one final round of 'Real or not real'. "You love me, real or not real?" Katniss answers back "Real".

In the epilogue, the pair get married and have two children, though it took long years of convincing from Peeta, they have a girl with her mother's dark hair and her father's blue eyes and a boy with his father's blond hair and his mother's gray eyes.

Characterization
Peeta is described as having "ashy blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead," blue eyes, and a stocky build, while being of medium height. As a result of injury sustained during the 74th Hunger Games, Peeta's left leg is amputated at the thigh, with him using an artificial one. Peeta is said to be handsome by both Haymitch and Caesar Flickerman.

Personality
Peeta has a very likable personality. Peeta is bold, having announced that he was in love with Katniss to the whole nation; smart, figuring out strategies to use in the Games; and willing to go to extremes to keep Katniss alive. However, in the first book, Peeta told Katniss that he did not expect he would win. He is a great public speaker and is very brave. Peeta is also loving and cares about the people around him, and hates killing unless the pursuer is a threat to himself or Katniss; selfless, for sacrificing his own life for Katniss'; funny, for making those around him laugh even when times were tough; and he always knows exactly what to say to make you feel better and to cheer you up. He is able to work with Haymitch on goals and strategy and unlike Katniss, he is able to keep secrets and is trusted by Haymitch. It is noted throughout the series his deep understanding of situations such as the Hunger Games where he says "I don't want to be just a piece in their Games." It took Katniss much longer for her to understand the same concept. In Catching Fire, Finnick Odair states that Peeta is one of the only truly good people to survive the arena Peeta is usually the more sentimental of any of the main characters, "feeling" things more than everyone else. He doesn't have Katniss or Gale's "fire" but isn't soft.

Peeta is described as sweet, gentle, strong and steady by Katniss several times. She said that he is like "dandelion in the spring". He tends to make jokes and sweet comments. When he's hijacked, he becomes out-of-control, homicidal and suicidal. Eventually, through seperating "shiny" hijacked memories and real ones, he essentially cures himself.

Skills
Peeta's main talents are baking, painting, speaking, camouflage and brute strength. His artistic talents developed from helping out at his parents' bakery by making bread and decorating cakes. His larger build and strength also gives him an advantage during hand-to-hand combat and wrestling, coming in second place in a District 12 wrestling contest. In the Games, he usually carries a knife or a sword, although he rarely uses them in battle as he is not particularly violent and dislikes killing unless it is completely necessary. The Career tributes say that "he is handy with a knife". Peeta has a lot of strength from working at the bakery; Katniss says she's seen him lift bags of flour over a hundred pounds. It is also revealed in Catching Fire that Peeta has a talent for painting, which he publicizes as his victor's talent. First Collins describes of Peeta painting pictures of the games and later a picture of Rue after Katniss decorated her corpse during his private training session in the Third Quarter Quell. Peeta also has a talent for speaking to crowds; he can always pick the right words to say to win them over. Katniss says that he can "change his pain into words that will move people." She thinks he should have led the rebellion, with his talent for public speaking. Peeta is an excellent liar. Katniss is unsure for much of The Hunger Games whether he's lying about his love for her. He lies in her defense when a not-quite-sober Katniss tries to explain away knowing her Avox server, Lavinia.

Family
Peeta's family consists of five people. His father, a baker, is known for being gentle and kind to everyone, as well as a buyer of poached squirrels when the wife isn't around (Peeta's father told his son that he loved Katniss's mother but she went off with the coal miner). Peeta's mother, on the other hand, is commonly known as a witch. She snaps at people and is very harsh and unmoving (like when Peeta was younger and he burnt bread, she slapped him so hard she blackened his eye). Peeta also has two unnamed older brothers, one who was too old to take his place in the 74th Hunger Games and the other who could have taken his place but didn't. As Katniss says, "Family devotion only goes so far for most people on reaping day." His eldest brother would be around age 19-23, and the other would be around 17-18 in the first book.

It is quite obvious that Peeta's family is neither close nor very happy. Peeta angrily states how his mother put no confidence in him winning the Games, but in fact placed Katniss higher on the totem pole than her own son. He didn't try to hide his hurt or anger over the encounter. In Catching Fire, Peeta says to Katniss that his family wouldn't be too worried about his death and that they could go on living without him, further implying the fact. In Mockingjay it is revealed that all of his family was killed in the bombing of District 12.

In the epilogue of Mockingjay, it is revealed that Katniss and Peeta have 2 children about 15 years after the last book. The first is a daughter, and the second a son, born probably 2 to 3 years after the girl.

Victims
In the 74th Games, when Peeta is grouped with the Careers, they discover the girl tribute from District 8 and kill her. Moments later, when they don't hear the canon signaling a death, an argument breaks out among the Careers and Peeta says he'll go back and check if she is dead. When Peeta rejoins the Careers, they ask him if the girl is dead, to which he responds, "She is now," and a cannon goes off. Later, as an ally to Katniss, he accidentally kills Foxface when she eats some of the Nightlock he had been collecting, thinking they were edible. He also states in an interview with Caesar Flickerman that he killed Brutus during the Quarter Quell Games after Brutus killed Chaff, right before Katniss shot out the force field. Peeta killed Mitchell by kicking him into a net of wires(although it wasn't intended).

Katniss Everdeen
"You love me, real or not real?" "Real."

- Peeta and Katniss

When Peeta first saw Katniss, it was when they were five; his father had pointed her out and told him about how he loved Katniss' mother. Peeta asks, "Then why didn't you ask her to marry you?" and his father answers, "Because she married a coal-miner. When he sang, even the birds stopped to listen." In music class, the teacher asked who knew the valley song and Katniss raised her hand. She sang it beautifully and, as Peeta says, "And I swear every bird outside the windows fell silent. And right when your song ended, I knew - just like your mother - I was a goner." This is when Peeta's true love for her started. Peeta was always seen with a large group of people and whenever Katniss was around he would notice her, no matter what. When they were younger, Peeta helped Katniss by burning bread as an excuse to give it to her so she wouldn't die from starvation. When Peeta was reaped for the 74th Hunger Games, he saw it as in some way a piece of luck, so that he could finally get to know her. He and Katniss pretended to be star-crossed lovers, but to Peeta it was not an act; he truly did love her, but Katniss did not reciprocate these feelings. Peeta never stopped thinking about her during the games. When in the cave, Peeta expressed his love for her and told her of his memories of her and when he first began to love her. Katniss and Peeta kiss each other and their kiss had real emotions behind it for both of them. She is comforted immensely by his presence throughout their time together. They continued the love act until the final interview. Peeta is hurt when he finds out Katniss did not see it as anything more than an act.

In Catching Fire, he and Katniss assume a cool relationship while by themselves but they soon agree to be just friends. Although Peeta rarely mentions his love for her in his offhand comments, it is clear that he still loves her deeply, as shown by him holding her every night while she has nightmares; it is his presence that allows her to sleep peacefully in his arms. They affectionately spend their last full day before the Quell together. During the games, Peeta was determined to keep Katniss alive. Peeta knew Katniss had feelings for Gale and if she was happy with him, he would let her go so she could find happiness--even if it meant sorrow for himself. Katniss attempted to bring him home alive, but Peeta had other plans. Believing these to be his final moments of life, on the beach, Peeta told Katniss her how he truly loved her and would die for her. He gives her two very important items: a locket with a picture of Mrs. Everdeen and Prim on one side and a picture of Gale smiling on the other, and a pearl he found, remarking that "coals become pearls when they're under lots of pressure." He compared the precious stone to her. The locket and pearl became very important to Katniss and kept them close to her (this is when Katniss is fully aware that she loves Peeta as well). Despite the pain he experiences, he fights for Katniss until he is taken away from her.

In Mockingjay, Peeta is gone for a portion of the beginning until about halfway through the book, in which he is only shown being interviewed. Shortly after the last interview, he advises Katniss to stay out of trouble. After directly adressing her one too many times, he is tortured and beaten by the Capitol. He returns after Gale rescues him, but has had his memories tampered with--or hijacked. While he is hijacked, he is driven to kill Katniss, but fought it off by remembering memories of Katniss and his deep love for her. Peeta wanted to die because he had impulses to kill her; on several occasions, he asks her to shoot him, give him nightlock, or just leave him to die. Peeta feared he would eventually overpower Katniss, nonetheless, she stayed by him and comforted him. Eventually, they both become closer and their love became deeper. After Prim died, he went to her house and planted primroses around her house as a memorial to her sister, who died because of the exploding parachutes. Echoing a "game" that they had played while he was having trouble recovering his memory, Peeta asks Katniss, "You love me. Real or not real?" She answers "Real", leading to their having two children after fifteen years of persuasion from Peeta. Katniss expresses how she feels about both Peeta and Gale--that Gale was full of fire, and altogether, not the relationship she needed. Peeta, to her, was like, "a dandelion in the spring...signaling rebirth," showing that her affections have departed from Gale and have been wholeheartedly on Peeta.

Gale Hawthorne
In Catching Fire, Peeta knew Katniss had feelings for him and accepted that he would allow Katniss to be with Gale if it brought her happiness. When Gale was whipped, Peeta tried to help him and protect Katniss. Gale stated that he tried to hate Peeta, but it was just too hard because Peeta is too nice.

In the arena Peeta gave Katniss a locket with a picture of Gale smiling; Peeta wanted her to be with him so she could be happy.

In Mockingjay, Gale volunteered first to be on the squad to break into the Capitol and retrieve Peeta from prison. It is unknown whether he did this for Katniss or because of genuine concern for Peeta.

Also in Mockingjay, Katniss wakes to a hushed conversation between a beaten-up Gale and a hijacked Peeta. They speak like friends, and talk about her, saying that the one that she will be with the one who she can't survive without. During this, Katniss's internal monologue mentions that Gale and Peeta "aren't friends" and "never have been. Though they're not exactly enemies."

Haymitch Abernathy
Peeta and Haymitch did not get off on the right foot, they fought each other on the train ride to the Capitol during the 74th Hunger Games. The two later work together often and become good friends with each other. Haymitch favored Peeta since he was very useful and good. He admits that he likes Peeta better. Peeta and him form plans together like Peeta's act of love to Katniss. Peeta is able to be told secrets and plans by Haymitch and keep them to himself. Haymitch does not help Peeta during the 74th Hunger Games. Haymitch is hurt when he is taken away by the Capitol and is guilty for allowing this to happen. Although he does not admit it, Haymitch truely loves Peeta. Peeta is attacked by Haymitch to see if he will put up a fight in the arena which he is pleased when he and Katniss both show strength aganist him by ganging up. Haymitch forms plans and informs him of all his plans during the preperation for the games. Haymitch helps him and the two both become close to each other. Haymitch and Peeta work together to form the plan of the 'star-crossed lovers of District 12' act to gain sympathy from the audience. Haymitch is overjoyed when both him and Katniss come back alive. He does everything he can to prevent them from being harmed by the Capitol since they are enraged by the suicide act with the berries in the arena. Haymitch is somewhat hurt when Peeta is angry at him for keeping secrets from him and is deeply hurt when President Snow announces the Third Quarter Quell will be reaping victors since Peeta may die. Haymitch is deeply concerned when Peeta is captured by the Capitol. He and Katniss both work together to rescue Peeta. Haymitch and Katniss try their best to help Peeta through the stress and affects of the tracker-jacker venom they used to hijack his memories. The two reconnect at the end of Mockingjay.

Effie Trinket
Peeta seemed to get along well with Effie, never giving her much problems. Peeta did anger her when he and Katniss joked around about Haymitch being drunk during the reaping and making a fool of himself on national television. Effie yells at them telling them he is their only life line and the only thing keeping them alive. Peeta is kind to her and always follows her plans. Effie did try to do her best for him and Katniss during the games. Effie was sad the night before the 74th Hunger Games and couldn't bear say her goodbyes because she truly does love him. Peeta tolerated her nagging during the Victory Tour. There was no known interaction between Effie and Peeta during Mockingjay.

Finnick Odair
In Catching Fire, Finnick and Peeta ally, along with Mags, Katniss, and later, Beetee, Johanna, and Wiress. Finnick saves Peeta's life after Peeta runs into a forcefield—initially, Katniss believes Finnick is actually kissing Peeta, while he is really performing CPR.

During the events of Mockingjay, Finnick shows concern for Katniss and Peeta, and goes out of his way to save Peeta's life again.

Film portrayal
Peeta will be played by Josh Hutcherson in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games, which will be released on March 23, 2012.

Trivia

 * Peeta's favorite color is sunset orange.
 * Katniss reveals that he always double-knots his shoelaces, sleeps with the windows open, and never takes sugar in his tea.