Butterflies

One of the most famous scenes from Corpse Bride is when Emily is transformed into a huge formation of butterflies. So, what does this have to do with Effie from The Hunger Games trilogy? Well, nothing, but the symbolism of butterflies does.

In Corpse Bride, the butterflies symbolize Emily’s soul being set free and is a beautiful final goodbye to Victor and Victoria. In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Effie wears a headpiece and dress that are composed of monarch butterflies (lovingly known by fans as the Butterfly Dress). I’ve always seen this outfit as a gorgeous addition to the wide array of looks that Effie has worn throughout the films (and it has since become my favorite Effie look from the four films), but something clicked with me upon viewing Catching Fire not too long ago. This outfit is only worn in one scene, the Reaping. As the story goes, this Reaping was only a drawing from the existing pool of Victors from previous years of the Hunger Games. So, for Effie, this meant definitely sending Katniss back into the arena and either Peeta or Haymitch along with her. By the end of it all, Katniss and Peeta were reaped again and were left with the possibility that they may not make it out alive this time around. Background aside, why did this dress suddenly mean so much more to me? It’s all because it made me think of Emily. The butterflies are a symbol of freedom and farewell. Of course, the Reaping was not the last time Effie would see Katniss and Peeta before the Quarter Quell, but it was the last time they would see their loved ones and Effie felt greatly to blame for that. Katniss didn’t even get a proper goodbye like Emily did.

In nature, butterflies don’t start out as beautiful, winged creatures, they have to go through metamorphosis. They start out as caterpillars and, when the time is right, they form a chrysalis around themselves and go through the natural change of becoming a butterfly. Before Katniss and Peeta’s first Games, Effie is a caterpillar. She has been born into an unknown habitat, the Capitol. She strives to be like the others of her kind and adapt to their lifestyle. This is why Effie seems so outlandish when we first meet her. She’s a caterpillar, a naïve mind who is oblivious to the true dangers in life. What she doesn’t know is that her own habitat, her home, is her greatest danger. There are many other species, the other Districts, that would love to devour her.

When Katniss and Peeta enter the Games, Effie forms her chrysalis. She remains in this chrysalis well throughout the Victory Tour. She soon comes to grips with the events of Catching Fire and that is why Effie has been dubbed as the character with the most development in this film. Catching Fire is Effie’s metamorphosis. When she’s at the Reaping, in the Butterfly Dress, she finally hatches and becomes a butterfly. Effie realizes her perfect Capitol isn’t so perfect. She cares so much about these kids, it’s evident by the tears streaming down her face as she pulls out the names. Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch get her to realize just how dangerous the world really is, just as a butterfly would as it takes its first flight.