Panache Barker

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Panache Barker
Biographical Information
Age	17-18
Occupation	Tribute (50th Hunger Games)
Home	District 1
Relatives	Palladium Barker (older sibling)
Weapon	Sword
Fate	Deceased
Physical Information
Gender	Male
Appearances
Book Appearances	Sunrise on the Reaping

"We fought, you lost, now you die!"

—Panache Barker talking to Haymitch Abernathy, about to kill him

Panache Barker was one of two male tributes from District 1 who participated in the 50th Hunger Games. He was related to Palladium Barker, the victor of the 46th Hunger Games.

Biography

50th Hunger Games

Prior to the Hunger Games themselves, Panache sucker-punched Haymitch Abernathy in the rib cage. Before Haymitch could do anything to retaliate, Panache was tased by a Peacekeeper and then three more pulled him away.

Panache's podium was two podiums to the right of Haymitch's.Panache was part of the Career pack in these games. During the Cornucopia bloodbath, Panache killed Wyatt Callow as he protected Lou Lou along with five other Newcomers using a sword that he had claimed. He was also able to acquire a shield to go with his sword.

On the fourth day, Panache was caught in the eruption of the arena's artificial volcano, but he survived. Panache was left with burns along his arms and legs, cracked lips, and a mad-dog look in his eyes.

Death

Panache, Barba and Angler attacked Haymitch Abernathy following the volcano eruption. Haymitch quickly dispatched the other two Careers before facing off against Panache, still armed with a sword, who was able to effortlessly disarm Haymitch. Haymitch tried and failed to talk Panache down, but he was saved when Maysilee Donner shot Panache in the throat with a poison dart, killing him. Haymitch chose not to take Panache's sword for himself as it was stained with Newcomer blood which creeped Haymitch out. Haymitch wasn't Panache's heir, the new leader of the pack, and he refused to present himself as such.

Physical description

Panache weighed about 300 pounds. He was left-handed. He was the physically largest tribute in the 50th Games.

In the training center, he and his district partners wore "snot-green."

Personality

Panache was arrogant and hot-headed. He enjoyed taunting the other tributes and proved to be a brutal fighter. Despite his brutality he constantly displayed himself as a vain idiot with many openly mocking his intelligence.

Etymology

Panache is a French word that implies flamboyancy and reckless courage, fitting with the District 1 tradition of giving their children luxurious or lofty-sounding names and his vain personality. Barker is an English surname meaning "a leather tanner."

Trivia

• Wyatt Callow practiced evaluating Panache's odds with Drusilla Sickle. According to Wyatt:
  • Panache was the largest tribute.
  • He scored high with the Gamemakers.
  • He had odds of eleven-to-one.
  • He had a 31.25% chance of winning the Games.