The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is just a few months away from its release, and devoted fans of the Hunger Games series are eagerly awaiting more from the captivating world of Panem. It has been a decade since the final installment, Mockingjay Part II, hit the screens, and during that time, Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of the fierce protagonist Katniss Everdeen has become an iconic figure in the genre.
As expected, fans are hoping to see some homage paid to Katniss in the upcoming prequel film, set 64 years before the 74th annual Hunger Games. Since the release of the trailer, viewers have been focusing on Rachel Zegler’s character, Lucy Gray, speculating on a possible connection to Katniss.
What is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes about?
Set on the brink of the 10th Hunger Games, the story follows a young Coriolanus Snow (played by Tom Blyth), who is chosen to mentor the tributes. Coriolanus sees this opportunity as a chance to regain his family’s former glory, devastated after the rebellion against the Capitol.
However, to his dismay, he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray, the female tribute from District 12. While Lucy Gray possesses charm and a captivating voice, Coriolanus realizes that he and Lucy have a daunting journey ahead if they want to navigate the treacherous arena and keep Lucy alive.
Who is Lucy Gray?
Intriguingly, Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray is not the main protagonist of the novel. That role belongs to Coriolanus. Lucy Gray’s actions in the book are open to interpretation and debate. In the novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Lucy Gray Baird leads a group called the Covey, consisting of orphans.
Originally a nomadic group, the Covey was forced to settle permanently in District 12 after the failed rebellion a decade prior. The Covey follows a tradition of naming their children after songs, poems, and colors. Lucy Gray’s name is derived from a William Wordsworth poem that has transformed into an old folk song by the time of the events.
As the oldest member of the Covey, Lucy Gray takes it upon herself to support the others despite the harsh conditions of District 12. Unlike Katniss, she lacks hunting skills in the forest and has resorted to difficult measures to provide for her family.
Is Lucy Gray Baird related to Katniss Everdeen?
While some fans speculate that Lucy Gray Baird may be Katniss Everdeen’s grandmother, it is more plausible that another member of the Covey, Maude Ivory, fills that role. Vaughan Reilly portrays Maude Ivory in the film.
Maude Ivory is a gifted young girl with a knack for singing, although not quite on the same level as Lucy Gray. However, she possesses a unique ability to remember any tune she hears even once, a skill that proves valuable in preserving songs. Alongside Lucy Gray, Maude Ivory is one of the most prominent members of the Covey, and she drops a hint that suggests she may be Katniss’ paternal grandmother.
Katniss is named after the Arrowhead plant, and her father had a fondness for snacking on it. In the novel, Maude Ivory explicitly points out the plant, referring to it as “katniss,” which is the Covey’s name for Arrowheads. She also mentions snacking on the flower, and many of her survival skills are later inherited by Katniss, 64 years later.
Although Suzanne Collins has not confirmed the specific connection between Maude Ivory and Katniss, there are several subtle hints throughout the novel suggesting that Katniss’ father is a descendant of the Covey. Additionally, the fact that both the Covey and the Everdeens reside in the same house further supports Maude Ivory as the most likely link.
While Lucy Gray Baird may not be Katniss’ grandmother, she does share a connection with the Mockingjay. Further hints about Maude Ivory’s significance to the narrative remain undisclosed to avoid spoiling the story. All will be revealed when the film finally hits theaters on November 17.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
