Maysilee Donner

Maysilee was a close friend of Katniss’ mother, Mrs Everdeen. She was also the aunt of Madge Undersee and the original owner of the Mockingjay pin. The pin becomes a family heirloom and is handed down to Madge, who gives it to Katniss as a gift to wear as a token in the arena. 

Maysilee Donner Character Profile

• Name: Maysilee Donner
• Age: 16 (50th Hunger Games) 
• Gender: Female
• Place of origin: The Merchant Section from District 12 
• Physical appearance: Smooth blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes.
• Skills: Poison darts, blowgun 
• Strengths: Resourceful 
• Weaknesses: Not trained in combat
• Loyalties: Unknown

Personality and Physical Description

Maysilee Donner is a highly resourceful person. She can turn her meager tools in the arena into deadly weapons. She is also brave as she decides to face the Second Quarter Quell with her head held high. She has a good deal of integrity and dignity both of which she upholds in her alliance with her male district partner, Haymitch Abernathy, in the arena. 

Born in the Merchant Section of District 12, Katniss notes how Maysilee’s appearance is characteristic of those from the Merchant Section. This means that Maysilee has smooth blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes.

Maysilee Donner’s Early Life

Maysilee Donner was born to Mr and Mrs Donner, who owned the sweetshop in District 12. She was born in the Merchant Section and was, therefore, relatively wealthier than her friends at school. 

Maysilee owned a pet canary and was best friends with Katniss Everdeen’s mother, Mrs. Everdeen. Her twin sister was Madge Undersee’s mother. Maysilee was, therefore, Madge’s aunt. After Maysilee’s death, her parents give Mrs Everdeen her pet canary.

Maysilee Donner in the 50th Hunger Games

Maysilee Donner is chosen as one of the female tributes from District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. She is around 16 years old at the time. Maysilee is one of four tributes from District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. This edition of the Games was celebrating the Second Quarter Quell which required each district to send twice the number of tributes as usual. 

When her name is called out during the Reaping Ceremony, she “bravely disengages herself” from her friends from the Merchant section and heads to the podium. She is joined by Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark’s mentor in the 74th Hunger Games, Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch comes from the Seam and is described as a “looker” by Katniss. 

“That was the year Haymitch won… 

“I had a friend who went that year,” says my mother quietly. “Maysilee Donner. Her parents owned the sweetshop. They gave me her songbird after. A canary.” 

Prim and I exchange a look. It’s the first we’ve ever heard of Maysilee Donner. Maybe because my mother knew we would want to know how she died.”

‘The Hunger Games’

Maysilee Donner in the Arena

In the Initial Cornucopia Bloodbath of the 50th Hunger Games, 18 tributes lose their lives, setting a longstanding record. The Career Pack, comprising 10 tributes mainly from Districts 1, 2, and 4, seizes all the food and supplies, leaving others without any sustenance. 

Maysilee finds a small backpack in the Cornucopia and escapes. Inside the backpack is a small bowl, dried beef, and a blowgun with 24 darts. She dips the darts into lethal substances and uses them to poison other tributes by driving the darts into their flesh.

Over the following days, poisonous substances claim the lives of several tributes. On the fourth day, a volcanic eruption orchestrated by the Gamemakers kills 12 tributes at once, including 5 Careers. The volcano also leads to the destruction of half of the arena. The surviving tributes, including Maysilee, seek refuge in the woods.

In the woods, Maysilee’s District partner, Haymitch, encounters three Career Tributes in a deadly struggle. Haymitch succeeds in taking down two of them with his knife. However, he finds himself overpowered by the third. Just as the Career Tribute attempts to harm Haymitch, Maysilee Donner suddenly appears and saves him with a poison dart.

“That Career is about to slit his throat when a dart drops him to the ground. Maysilee Donner steps out of the woods. “We’d live longer with two of us.” 

“Guess you just proved that,” says Haymitch, rubbing his neck. “Allies?” Maysilee nods.”

‘Catching Fire’

Forming an alliance, Maysilee and Haymitch develop a strategy to rest, collect rainwater, and pilfer food from the deceased tributes’ packs. Meanwhile, five more tributes die from various causes, reducing the number of remaining contestants to five.

Maysilee Donner’s Death

As Maysilee and Haymitch approach the end of the arena, Maysilee suggests returning, but Haymitch disagrees. Consequently, Maysilee decides to end the alliance due to the reduced number of competitors. Maysilee heads back but is soon attacked by deadly candy pink birds.

Upon hearing Maysilee’s scream, Haymitch rushes to her aid. However, she succumbs to the beaks of candy pink birds before he can reach her. He holds her hand as she passes away. Maysilee, therefore, places 5th in the 50th Hunger Games. After her death, Maysilee’s parents give her pet canary to her friend, Mrs. Everdeen. 

Haymitch goes on to become the victor of the Second Quarter Quell. However, his stunt with the forcefield does not sit well with the Capitol of Panem. As a result, they murder his entire family, consisting of his mother and younger brother, as well as his girlfriend.

Maysilee Donner and the Mockingjay Pin

Maysilee Donner was the original owner of the legendary Mockingjay pin that Katniss wears in the arena. After her death, the pin gets passed down to her niece, Madge Undersee. Madge then gifts it to her friend Katniss as a token to wear in the arena. 

The pin becomes symbolic as Katniss later comes to be associated with the Mockingjay bird. The pin turns into a legacy, standing as a strong symbol for the rebels in the Second Rebellion. 

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