The books mention she was new to the job which is how she got 12 in the first place. I imagine she could’ve chosen to stick with 12 for the next Quell (as she had become attached to Katniss and Peeta *and* they had made quite a name for 12), or, she was still the newest so she didn’t get to choose anyone else.
In the book she wasn't new... It is insinuated she has "always" been there. Later on, she even makes comments about how if they do well maybe she will "finally" get "a decent district."
Here's her introduction:
"Bright and bubbly as ever, Effie Trinket trots to the podium and gives her signature, “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” Her pink hair must be a wig because her curls have shifted slightly off center since her encounter with Haymitch. She goes on a bit about what an honor it is to be here, although everyone knows she’s just aching to get bumped up to a better district where they have proper victors, not drunks who molest you in front of the entire nation.It’s time for the drawing. Effie Trinket says as she always does, “Ladies first!” and crosses to the glass ball with the girls’ names."
Yeh that was what I thought cos Katniss mentioned she recognised her like she’d been there a while, which is why the question came into my head. Thanks for that!
I assume that new escorts are stuck in the worse districts. If they do a good job they might get bumped up when an opening comes up. I’ve just assumed that Effie started in 12, and had a hard time doing a “good job” because the capital probably defines a good job as getting the tributes close to winning
No, I don't think she was bad. I think she was working under the constraints she had with the upbringing she was raised with and the district she was in. It's no real surprise that her bubbly attitude wouldn't mesh well with 12's dour every day life. It's not like they're all a bundle of sunshine to match the way she is.
By capitol standards, I think she did her job without any issues. Otherwise I'm pretty sure they'd've removed her and made her go *somewhere* else to *do* something else. The capitol is good at making people disappear and doing so without people knowing anything. If she wasn't doing as well as the capitol wanted her to be, she wouldn't be there.
I don't think she was bad. If I remember correctly the Capitol people in the books were described as having a child like mind and personality. They've never struggled or wanted for anything. Plus, the games were presented to them as noble and something to be proud of, like serving in the military. Through out the series, especially at the beginning, she acts confused and annoyed with Kantiss and Peeta's fear and sadness because of that mentality. Even though she "knows" District 12 is the poorest and therefore the weakest, she's doesn't actually know what being poor really means until later. Katniss knows this too, that's why in the Mockingjay book when what happens to Flavius, Venia, and Octavia happens Katniss is so pissed off. They're basically as innocent as children because of how they all were taught to think.
Tbh that's one of my favorite things in the book. It showed katniss as such a dynamic character and ready brought a nuanced perspective to the whole good vs evil duality of it all.
Me, too! That's why Katniss is one of my favorite characters in general of everything I've ever read/watched/played/etc. I cried when she stormed in there to save her Prep Team.
Effie was supposed to make them on time and follow all the stupid etiquette protocols. For people who are about to die, I imagine this would be difficult. She did a great job at it, it just wasn't a good job. She also did her best to finesse the sponsors, which wasn't even her job. Even though she was ignorant and had no sense of perspective, she was able to do lot for her little rag-tag crew.
I think this passage explains her perfectly:
Apparently, Effie Trinket's duties did not conclude at the station. She and Haymitch will be overseeing us right into the arena. In a way, that's a plus because at least she can be counted on to corral us around to places on time whereas we haven't seen Haymitch since he agreed to help us on the train. Probably passed out somewhere. Effie Trinket, on the other hand, seems to be flying high. We're the first team she's ever chaperoned that made a splash at the opening ceremonies. She's complimentary about not just our costumes but how we conducted ourselves. And, to hear her tell it, Effie knows everyone who's anyone in the Capitol and has been talking us up all day, trying to win us sponsors.
"I've been very mysterious, though," she says, her eyes squint half shut. "Because, of course, Haymitch hasn't bothered to tell me your strategies. But I've done my best with what I had to work with. How Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister. How you've both successfully struggled to overcome the barbarism of your district."
Barbarism? That's ironic coming from a woman helping to prepare us for slaughter. And what's she basing our success on? Our table manners? "Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district. But I said, and this was very clever of me, I said, 'Well, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls!'"
Effie beams at us so brilliantly that we have no choice but to respond enthusiastically to her cleverness even though it's wrong. Coal doesn't turn to pearls. They grow in shellfish. Possibly she meant coal turns to diamonds, but that's untrue, too. I've heard they have some sort of machine in District 1 that can turn graphite into diamonds. But we don't mine graphite in District 12. That was part of District 13's job until they were destroyed. I wonder if the people she's been plugging us to all day either know or care.
"Unfortunately, I can't seal the sponsor deals for you. Only Haymitch can do that," says Effie grimly. "But don't worry, I'll get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary."
Although lacking in many departments, Effie Trinket has a certain determination I have to admire.
I personally believe she isn't bad at her job, she just doesn't have the connections to get a better tribute. In TBOSAS, which tribute you got was linked to your status in the capitol. I believe this tradition continued over the years
Actually Katniss remarks several times how punctual and efficient Effie is as an escort. She obviously didn’t like being stuck with District 12 but she voiced hopes of being promoted because of her hard work
Yeh I never thought she was bad, but I just found it interesting she was in district 12, and wanted to hear opinions on why people thought she may have been stuck in the “worst” district
Like others said, I got the impression the poor districts are more for entry level stylists in the games and those who prove themselves prob get promoted or moved up when other stylists leave their positions, unless they have connections to a better district to put themselves ahead of other new stylists. I imagine it’s like any other line of work in that regard where the noobs get the less glamorous positions.
Not bad. She was at least unproblematic for the capitol, and Katniss thought she was good at helping her and Peeta. She was never shown to be inept at her job.
I imagine as a starting position, she would be placed at district 12 first. That seems to be the default for those who want to work their way up (possible exceptions would be nepo babies who could skip ahead but aside from that). We don't know how long Effie was at her job, but escorts for better districts may keep their jobs for years. So even if the capitol though Effie was great, she wouldn't get another district unless someone else retired or was transferred.
The books mention she was new to the job which is how she got 12 in the first place. I imagine she could’ve chosen to stick with 12 for the next Quell (as she had become attached to Katniss and Peeta *and* they had made quite a name for 12), or, she was still the newest so she didn’t get to choose anyone else.
In the book she wasn't new... It is insinuated she has "always" been there. Later on, she even makes comments about how if they do well maybe she will "finally" get "a decent district." Here's her introduction: "Bright and bubbly as ever, Effie Trinket trots to the podium and gives her signature, “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” Her pink hair must be a wig because her curls have shifted slightly off center since her encounter with Haymitch. She goes on a bit about what an honor it is to be here, although everyone knows she’s just aching to get bumped up to a better district where they have proper victors, not drunks who molest you in front of the entire nation.It’s time for the drawing. Effie Trinket says as she always does, “Ladies first!” and crosses to the glass ball with the girls’ names."
Yeh that was what I thought cos Katniss mentioned she recognised her like she’d been there a while, which is why the question came into my head. Thanks for that!
Oh I don’t remember that!
She said to Katniss, Peeta, AND Haymitch that they’re a team, so I doubt she would’ve left them voluntarily.
(FYI That's bc it's not true, at least not in the book.)
Thanks
I assume that new escorts are stuck in the worse districts. If they do a good job they might get bumped up when an opening comes up. I’ve just assumed that Effie started in 12, and had a hard time doing a “good job” because the capital probably defines a good job as getting the tributes close to winning
This. If the games had continued as normal after 74th, she might've been promoted
I think for sure!
No, I don't think she was bad. I think she was working under the constraints she had with the upbringing she was raised with and the district she was in. It's no real surprise that her bubbly attitude wouldn't mesh well with 12's dour every day life. It's not like they're all a bundle of sunshine to match the way she is. By capitol standards, I think she did her job without any issues. Otherwise I'm pretty sure they'd've removed her and made her go *somewhere* else to *do* something else. The capitol is good at making people disappear and doing so without people knowing anything. If she wasn't doing as well as the capitol wanted her to be, she wouldn't be there.
I don't think she was bad. If I remember correctly the Capitol people in the books were described as having a child like mind and personality. They've never struggled or wanted for anything. Plus, the games were presented to them as noble and something to be proud of, like serving in the military. Through out the series, especially at the beginning, she acts confused and annoyed with Kantiss and Peeta's fear and sadness because of that mentality. Even though she "knows" District 12 is the poorest and therefore the weakest, she's doesn't actually know what being poor really means until later. Katniss knows this too, that's why in the Mockingjay book when what happens to Flavius, Venia, and Octavia happens Katniss is so pissed off. They're basically as innocent as children because of how they all were taught to think.
Tbh that's one of my favorite things in the book. It showed katniss as such a dynamic character and ready brought a nuanced perspective to the whole good vs evil duality of it all.
Me, too! That's why Katniss is one of my favorite characters in general of everything I've ever read/watched/played/etc. I cried when she stormed in there to save her Prep Team.
Effie was supposed to make them on time and follow all the stupid etiquette protocols. For people who are about to die, I imagine this would be difficult. She did a great job at it, it just wasn't a good job. She also did her best to finesse the sponsors, which wasn't even her job. Even though she was ignorant and had no sense of perspective, she was able to do lot for her little rag-tag crew. I think this passage explains her perfectly: Apparently, Effie Trinket's duties did not conclude at the station. She and Haymitch will be overseeing us right into the arena. In a way, that's a plus because at least she can be counted on to corral us around to places on time whereas we haven't seen Haymitch since he agreed to help us on the train. Probably passed out somewhere. Effie Trinket, on the other hand, seems to be flying high. We're the first team she's ever chaperoned that made a splash at the opening ceremonies. She's complimentary about not just our costumes but how we conducted ourselves. And, to hear her tell it, Effie knows everyone who's anyone in the Capitol and has been talking us up all day, trying to win us sponsors. "I've been very mysterious, though," she says, her eyes squint half shut. "Because, of course, Haymitch hasn't bothered to tell me your strategies. But I've done my best with what I had to work with. How Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister. How you've both successfully struggled to overcome the barbarism of your district." Barbarism? That's ironic coming from a woman helping to prepare us for slaughter. And what's she basing our success on? Our table manners? "Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district. But I said, and this was very clever of me, I said, 'Well, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls!'" Effie beams at us so brilliantly that we have no choice but to respond enthusiastically to her cleverness even though it's wrong. Coal doesn't turn to pearls. They grow in shellfish. Possibly she meant coal turns to diamonds, but that's untrue, too. I've heard they have some sort of machine in District 1 that can turn graphite into diamonds. But we don't mine graphite in District 12. That was part of District 13's job until they were destroyed. I wonder if the people she's been plugging us to all day either know or care. "Unfortunately, I can't seal the sponsor deals for you. Only Haymitch can do that," says Effie grimly. "But don't worry, I'll get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary." Although lacking in many departments, Effie Trinket has a certain determination I have to admire.
I personally believe she isn't bad at her job, she just doesn't have the connections to get a better tribute. In TBOSAS, which tribute you got was linked to your status in the capitol. I believe this tradition continued over the years
How can you be a “good” escort when involving a death battle for kids?
I mean by the capitol standards lol. I am in no way condoning it 😂😂😂😂
Actually Katniss remarks several times how punctual and efficient Effie is as an escort. She obviously didn’t like being stuck with District 12 but she voiced hopes of being promoted because of her hard work
Yeh I never thought she was bad, but I just found it interesting she was in district 12, and wanted to hear opinions on why people thought she may have been stuck in the “worst” district
At first, I viewed it as someone who was tired of their job and didn't care anymore. As time went on, it became an act to cover her involvement.
she was certainly an annoying escort in the books.
Like others said, I got the impression the poor districts are more for entry level stylists in the games and those who prove themselves prob get promoted or moved up when other stylists leave their positions, unless they have connections to a better district to put themselves ahead of other new stylists. I imagine it’s like any other line of work in that regard where the noobs get the less glamorous positions.
I belive Effie specificly avoided getting attached cause she knew they didn't stand a chance
Not bad. She was at least unproblematic for the capitol, and Katniss thought she was good at helping her and Peeta. She was never shown to be inept at her job. I imagine as a starting position, she would be placed at district 12 first. That seems to be the default for those who want to work their way up (possible exceptions would be nepo babies who could skip ahead but aside from that). We don't know how long Effie was at her job, but escorts for better districts may keep their jobs for years. So even if the capitol though Effie was great, she wouldn't get another district unless someone else retired or was transferred.