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Is "Peacemakers" a mistaken reference to Peacekeepers?

Science Fiction & Fantasy Asked on February 12, 2021

In Chapter Five of Catching Fire we have the following statement from Effie Trinket:

"So, I was just having a peek around because district ruins are going to be all the rage this year, when two Peacemakers showed up and ordered me back to our quarters. One of them actually poked me with her gun!" says Effie.

The title "Peacemakers" seems out of place. Throughout the series they are called "Peacekeepers".

  • Are there in fact other instances where the term "Peacemakers" is used, such that there is nothing wrong with Effie’s comment?

  • Is this a mistake by Effie, likely meant to highlight her personality and/or that of Capitol citizens in general, in that they can’t be bothered to know the correct terms for the people who enforce hardships on the districts?

  • Is this merely an authorial/editorial mistake?

One Answer

The term also appears on one other occasion, in the first novel in the series.

“Thank you,” I say. The baker’s not a very talkative man in the best of times, and today he has no words at all. “I had some of your bread this morning. My friend Gale gave you a squirrel for it.” He nods, as if remembering the squirrel. “Not your best trade,” I say. He shrugs as if it couldn’t possibly matter.

Then I can’t think of anything else, so we sit in silence until a Peacemaker summons him. He rises and coughs to clear his throat. “I’ll keep an eye on the little girl. Make sure she’s eating.”

The Hunger Games

Note that only four paragraphs earlier the same set of government soldiers are referred to as "Peacekeepers" so it's not in the least bit clear what, if any, difference there is between a 'Peacekeeper' and a 'Peacemaker'.

“I love you. I love you both.” And they’re saying it back and then the Peacekeeper orders them out and the door closes. I bury my head in one of the velvet pillows as if this can block the whole thing out.

At the very least we can probably rule out that it's an editorial (or authorial) mistake since it occurs in novels written more than a year apart and edited by two different sets of publishers.

Answered by Valorum on February 12, 2021

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