Prior to the Games, the operation of the events and the construction of the stadium for the additional planning of multiple months necessitates it. It is commemorated with great splendor and magnificence and serves as a unique version of the Games. The 25-year commemoration of the conclusion of the First Rebellion signifies the Quarter Quell, which takes place once every 25 years.
The Initial Quarter Quell: 25th Hunger Games
“On the 25th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes that who would represent it.”
President Snow in Catching Fire
The districts firmly believed that the Capitol should be responsible for their choice to rebel, and they believed that the districts should enforce the importance of their choice. This was not only to increase the chances of their strongest competitors winning but also to give unwanted children a chance. The districts were not allowed to send their strongest competitors to the Hunger Games, but only the citizens of the districts were required to choose their candidates for that year’s Games. The Capitol designed the First Quarter Quell to sow what they must reap.
“I wonder how that would have felt. Picking the kids who had to go. It is worse, I think, to be turned over by your own neighbors than have your name drawn from the reaping ball.”
– Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire
The Second Quarter Quell: 50th Hunger Games Reimagined
“On the 50th anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes.”
President Snow in Catching Fire
The Quell of the Second Quarter was known for two things: the deadly but beautiful arena, which made the Games virtually unwatchable, and the increasing brutality. In this arena, there could only be one victor at the end, which meant that the odds of losing dramatically increased for the remaining victors. In the Second Quarter Quell, each district was required to send two female and two male tributes, doubling the number of tributes compared to previous Hunger Games. Each year, the Hunger Games featured 12 tributes from each district.
The Capitol was completely at their mercy, reminding them of the soldiers’ loss of twice the number, even reminding them of the Rebellion, which served to subjugate the districts during the Second Quarter Quell.
Two notable participants of this edition of the Games were Haymitch Abernathy and Maysilee Donner.
The 75th Hunger Games: The Third Quarter Quell
“On the 75th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors.”
President Snow in Catching Fire
Throughout the Second Rebellion, the Victors’ Purge, a methodical elimination of the champions from past Hunger Games, marked the commencement of this particular installment of the Games. President Snow altered the regulations in order to compel Katniss Everdeen’s return to the arena, despite the strong suggestion in the novel that the guidelines for the 75th Hunger Games were intended to be established during the Games’ inception.
The arena was also designed like a clock, where each new hour would bring a fresh disaster upon the tributes. The arena is a tropical jungle, providing only weapons and no food, along with the Cornucopia. Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen, victors from other districts in the past, are once again sent into the arena.
Prior to the Games’ conclusion, Katniss destroys the arena. This Hunger Games, known as the Third Quarter Quell, is not only the final one but also lacks a victor.
The Background of the Victors
Unknown First Quarter Quell
However, some state sources reveal that Zenobia, a seventeen-year-old female from Rivendell, won this edition of the Games. Nevertheless, the books do not mention the winner of the First Quarter Quell.
Haymitch Abernathy in the 75th Hunger Games
In order to uncover the hidden forcefield that only he could access, Haymitch remains behind in the center of the arena, breaking off from the alliance and returning to the arena’s center only when they reach the very end of the arena, as Maysilee, a female tribute from District 12, forms an alliance with him. Haymitch, chosen as one of the four tributes from District 12 to participate in the Second Quarter Quell,
Haymitch becomes the victor of the Quarter Quell. Instead, he lodges himself into the head girl’s position and bounces off as the ax hits the forcefield behind him. As the girl throws an ax against his head, he ducks. Later, when the only remaining tributes were Haymitch and a female tribute from District 1.
The Capitol is furious with Haymitch for utilizing his field force to his advantage. Sensing the rebellious streak in Haymitch’s nature, the government put his entire family, including his mother and brother, to death. After this, Haymitch likely took to drinking the most to escape the horrors and sorrows of the Games, of which he was a part.
After the 50th Hunger Games, Haymitch becomes a mentor for the tributes from District 12, except for Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen, who are the only survivors from District 12 in the Games.
The Intention Behind the Quarter Quell
“When the laws of the Games were laid out, they dictated that every twenty-five years the anniversary would be marked by a Quarter Quell. It would call for a glorified version of the Games to make fresh the memory of those killed by the districts’ rebellion.”
President Snow in Catching Fire
The Rebellion served as a reminder to the districts of the repercussions, as the Quarter Quell was established. The creators of the Games opted to devise the Quarter Quell in order to jog the memories of the districts. The Quarter Quell came into existence during the inception of the Hunger Games. The regulations governing the Quarter Quell Games were formulated with a sadistic turn, rendering it exceptionally challenging for the districts to participate.
The Origins of the Quarter Quell
“Are you planning the Quarter Quell Games already?” I say.
“Oh, yes. Well, they’ve been in the works for years, of course. Arenas aren’t built in a day. But the, shall we say, flavor of the Games is being determined now. Believe it or not, I’ve got a strategy meeting tonight,” he says.
Katniss Everdeen and Plutarch Heavensbee in Catching Fire
The Quell Quarter is the brainchild of the founders of the Hunger Games, Snow Coriolanus and Gaul Volumnia Dr., Or Games Hunger the rules of whom were conceived by Snow Crassus and Highbottom Dean either.
The founders of the Games designed rules meant to hold together the meaning of Hunger Games for centuries. Each Quell Quarter had its rules written on a piece of paper (marked with the respective envelope) hidden inside a wooden box. The President would read out the rules and pick the respective envelope at the time of each Quell Quarter.
Once more, in order to take the easiest way out of the equation, she realized that her back would be sent to participate in the Games, perceiving herself as a major threat to President Snow and the Capitol. Specifically, many people believed that the rules of the Third Quarter Quell were altered to force Katniss Everdeen back into the arena. For instance, the requirements of the President have been modified to suit the changed rules of the Quell. However, it is implied that not even the President is privy to these rules, as it is said that there is no one but the founders who knows.
“…Then I get it, what it means. At least, for me. District 12 only has three existing victors to choose from. Two male. One female…
I am going back into the arena.”
Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire