The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: Revealing Tigris' Role in The Hunger Games

Tigris, a significant character in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, also appeared in the original Hunger Games. This groundbreaking book and movie series has captivated audiences for years. It takes place in a dystopian society where children are compelled to fight to the death in an arena controlled by the oppressive Capitol regime. The original series has been hailed as the pinnacle of its genre.

The franchise grew as author Suzanne Collins introduced a prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, expanding upon the early life of President Snow, the antagonist from the original book. Alongside new characters, one familiar face appears, though not easily recognizable. Throughout the franchise, the character of Tigris underwent a significant transformation. Before delving into further details, please be aware that there may be slight spoilers for both the original and prequel novels.

Tigris appears in the original Hunger Games series

Tigris, a former stylist for the games in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, becomes a crucial ally to Katniss and her team of soldiers on their dangerous mission to stealthily infiltrate the Capitol and eliminate President Snow. Tigris, who now desires to bring an end to Capitol rule, secretly harbors and assists them.

Tigris reveals in the film that she was once the original stylist for Hunger Games tributes. However, she shares with Katniss that President Snow eventually decided she was no longer attractive enough. This suggests that even the extravagant Capitol found her excessive physical modifications to be too much. These alterations notably involve giving herself tiger-like attributes such as a flattened nose and whiskers. Additionally, her skin is tattooed and visibly aged, as Katniss observes wrinkles on it.

After providing Katniss and Co. with shelter during the revolution, Tigris offers them a clever disguise as Capitol citizens to infiltrate President Snow’s mansion and assassinate him. Interestingly, when Katniss reveals her intention to kill Snow, Tigris responds with a knowing smile.

Who is Tigris in Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes?

The portrayal of Tigris in Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes presents a significant shift. It unveils her as the cousin of Coriolanus Snow, with whom she shared a childhood before he assumed the role of President. Additionally, Tigris survived alongside him amidst the tumultuous Dark Days, also known as the period of civil warfare preceding the inception of the Games.

In this scenario, Tigris shares a deep bond with Snow and plays a crucial role in assisting him during his mentorship of the 10th Annual Hunger Games. Despite being an underpaid fashion designer, she goes the extra mile by designing clothes for him and ensuring that his family doesn't look impoverished.

Tigris possesses a compassionate and accepting nature, demonstrating a greater understanding and empathy for the tributes compared to most other residents of the Capitol. She also harbors doubts about the extreme brutality of the Hunger Games itself.

The actor for the role has been clearly replaced. Hunter Schafer, renowned for her leading role in HBO’s Euphoria, now portrays Tigris in Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Watch a snippet showcasing her remarkable performance below:

There is a significant time gap between the prequel and the main series, leaving many questions unanswered about Tigris. The reason behind her intense hatred towards Snow remains unknown, although it is likely connected to his future cruel actions. One possibility is that the exploitation of victorious tributes in a sexual manner did not sit well with Tigris, as it is suggested that she engaged in sex work for survival.

The process of Tigris undergoing various feline plastic surgeries is not depicted. However, fans have speculated that her decision to radically alter her appearance is influenced by her love for fashion, her name, and the way others perceive her. In the books, Snow describes her as having a "long, pointed nose and skinny body," acknowledging that Tigris is not conventionally beautiful but possesses a vulnerability that exposes her to abuse. By transforming herself into a fiercer individual, she may be attempting to safeguard herself in a world growing increasingly cruel.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is in cinemas November 17. Read more about the movie below:

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited to see the prequel to The Hunger Games series, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. I am particularly interested in the character of Tigris, who plays a significant role in both the prequel and the original series. In the prequel, Tigris is a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is a talented fashion designer, but she is also a survivor of the Dark Days, the period of civil war that preceded the Hunger Games. Tigris is a complex and fascinating character, and I am eager to learn more about her story.

I am also interested in seeing how Tigris's relationship with Coriolanus Snow evolves over the course of the prequel. In the original series, Snow is a ruthless dictator who is responsible for the deaths of countless people. However, in the prequel, we see a different side of Snow. He is a young man who is trying to find his way in the world, and he is clearly struggling with the darkness that is inside of him. Tigris is one of the few people who sees the good in Snow, and I am hopeful that she will be able to help him to resist the temptation to become a monster.