But, in the book, Katniss doesn't even realize it's a mockingjay until later. So I wouldn't say it's a particularly common symbol before she chooses to wear it. To me, the randomness of her buying it in the Hob just fits more with Katniss becoming an unintended symbol herself.

I do think that someone who hasn't read the books will be able to follow and appreciate the movie.

This is where I disagree. Follow, yes. Appreciate, I don't know. At least based on the critics I saw it with (most of whom hadn't read the books). I don't think it moved much beyond the basic premise for them.

I suppose it's hard to separate my emotional reactions from my knowledge of the books. But I think it sells the basic premise in such a way as to make its point.

I can get that reasoning, megan. I think what still sticks for me is that buying a pin (she didn't know it would be free when she picked it up) seems so frivolous when selling their catch to feed and care for their families. I know I'm crossing up what I know from the books and what we see in the movie.

But her political awareness at the beginning is pretty well nil. Lots of other people (especially the previous generation) do know the symbol. It wouldn't surprise me if the Mayor's daughter were in that group.

It wouldn't surprise me if

Yes, but we never learn that, which is part of my frustration with that character in the book. I just wish something more had been done with her.

I suppose it's hard to separate my emotional reactions from my knowledge of the books.

This is why I think everyone should read the books first. Things like Gale's speech implying everyone chooses to watch the Games totally misdirect the non-reader.

Megan,(book trilogy spoilers in the following spoiler block)

I think that the niece of a fallen tribute giving this to Katniss, marking her with a symbol she doesn't know is important until much later, is a really important thread in the books, one that pays off when you get to District 13 and the tendrils of the rebellion across the districts becomes clear.

I agree with that wish, Megan.

The issue of how many times one's name is in the bowl (and I'm pretty sure there were more kids there than there were names in that bowl, but that's another issue) was also not made clear. And I think that's key information. Up there with "Harry's father and his friends made the map."

I also think (more book spoilers) that the implication around the meaning of giving the pin, and the alliances, or at least the symapthies, of Madge and her father, was pretty clear.

Debet, I agree about the issue of how many times your name is in the basket. I don't actually remember what it is in the book. I thought it was put in for as many years you'd been going in (so 1 for Prim in her first year), but Gale's name was in there 42 times, and Katniss told Prim not to take food because it wasn't worth it, so I presume you can get food if you put your name in the basket? A tiny, important detail, that.