WTF Is Going On With Louella McCoy In The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping?

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Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

The entire premise of The Hunger Games is disturbing, but one of the most horrifying storylines in Sunrise on the Reaping revolves around Haymitch’s fellow District 12 tribute, Louella McCoy. Louella is Haymitch’s 13-year-old neighbor, and she’s initially the only person from District 12 that he wants as an ally. Louella is described as small and young, and 16-year-old Haymitch takes it upon himself to protect her. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get the chance, as Louella’s Sunrise on the Reaping death occurs before they even enter the arena.

Louella is killed during the tribute parade, which winds up being a disaster. When a rogue firework causes chariots to veer off course and crash, Louella and Haymitch are thrown from theirs. Sadly, Louella doesn’t make it. Reeling from her death, Haymitch takes her body to the gate of President Snow’s mansion to make a statement. President Snow makes the situation worse when he later produces a replacement for Louella: a girl who’s been made to look and act like Haymitch’s dead friend. It’s one of Sunrise on the Reaping‘s most shocking reveals, and it may leave readers scratching their heads.

Why President Snow Replaces Louella McCoy After Her Death In Sunrise On The Reaping

He’s Covering Up The Capitol’s Incompetence

Readers may do a double-take when President Snow introduces Haymitch to his Louella McCoy replacement, especially after realizing that her appearance and mind have been altered to put on this facade. It’s exceptionally cruel to make the other District 12 tributes spend time with this girl and pass her off as their own. The girl, who Haymitch begins referring to as Lou Lou, is also clearly a victim of the Capitol. Although she repeats what Snow tells her to, she’s being drugged and shows signs of being tortured.

The entire parade incident in the Hunger Games prequel makes the Capitol look incompetent.

But while Snow no doubt gets pleasure from causing this pain and putting Haymitch in his place — just look at Sunrise on the Reaping‘s ending — another reason he replaces Louella is to save face. The entire parade incident in the Hunger Games prequel makes the Capitol look incompetent. And Snow is obviously angry about that, as he poisons the parade master, Incitatus Loomy, not long after things go awry. The Capitol goes to great lengths to produce footage that covers up their missteps, and what happens at the parade is a pretty huge one.

The cover of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins and Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games movies

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It’s not just the chariots losing control, either. It’s also the fact that Haymitch uses Louella’s death as a means of railing against the Capitol, making it difficult for them to show audiences what happened. They also wouldn’t want to lose a tribute prior to the Games; they go to great lengths to ensure they make it into the arena. And having Lou Lou among the District 12 team benefits Snow in other ways, too, as he can use her ear implants to spy on them. So, there are layers to Snow’s reasoning, even if replacing Louella seems perplexing at first.

Who Even Is The Girl That President Snow Replaces Louella McCoy With?!

She’s From District 11 & Likely Being Punished For Something

Sunrise On The Reaping Cover With Red Background — Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

President Snow’s reasons for replacing Louella McCoy make sense, but there are still questions about where he gets this body double from. Lou Lou’s true identity isn’t revealed in Sunrise on the Reaping, but the book offers clues about who she could be. Snow likely takes her from the districts — potentially as punishment for someone who acts out against him — as the District 12 team notices she has been starved. In her outbursts, Lou Lou also calls the Capitol “murderers,” so they may have killed someone close to her for acting out.

While Haymitch never learns Lou Lou’s true name or backstory, Suzanne Collins gives us enough information to piece it together.

As Haymitch and the others spend time with Lou Lou, they realize that she’s originally from District 11. When Lou Lou is offered bread, Mags picks up on the fact that she gravitates towards the roll with seeds commonly found there. She later sings a song from District 11, too, essentially confirming Mags’ suspicions. While Haymitch never learns Lou Lou’s true name or backstory, Suzanne Collins gives us enough information to piece it together. But there are a lot of questions about Lou Lou that remain unanswered in Sunrise on the Reaping, even beyond her former identity.

Sunrise On The Reaping Leaves Too Many Questions About Lou Lou Unanswered

We Never Learn Who Sent Her To Find Haymitch Or What’s With The Snake

How-Old-Is-Haymitch-During-Sunrise-On-The-Reaping-Compared-To-The-Hunger-Games — Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Sunrise on the Reaping leaves a number of questions of Lou Lou unanswered, in addition to the mystery of who she is. Leaving her identity ambiguous makes sense, as she’s just a number to the Capitol, and her treatment and replacement of Lou Lou drive home how expendable they are to Snow. But when she finds Haymitch during the Games, she says she was told to — and we never find out whether this demand comes from Wyatt and their allies or from President Snow. Snow does tell Haymitch that they’ll stay together, but nothing really comes of Lou Lou finding him.

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The book also never explains Lou Lou’s fascination with the snake she takes from Magno Stift, though Haymitch suggests it makes her feel powerful. Judging by her eagerness to find the creature in the arena, she seems to have some sort of emotional connection to it. Sadly, Sunrise on the Reaping doesn’t have time to dig too deeply into the many mysteries surrounding Lou Lou. And in some ways, not knowing anything about her is the point. But her disturbing narrative will leave readers perplexed all the same.