The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
Coriolanus, as Lucy Gray's mentor in the Hunger Games, is tasked with guiding her to victory. However, his motivations are complex, and he uses manipulation to achieve his own goals. He tries to influence Lucy Gray's actions and decisions, often for his own gain, while also attempting to understand and connect with her on a deeper level.
Lucy Gray, on the other hand, is aware of Coriolanus's manipulation and plays along, using her own charm and wit to manipulate him in return. She uses her performances and interactions with Coriolanus to gain an advantage in the Games and to further her own agenda.
Throughout their relationship, the lines between mentorship and manipulation are blurred. Coriolanus's actions can be seen as both genuine attempts to help Lucy Gray and calculated moves to control her. Lucy Gray, in turn, uses her own agency to navigate the situation, often leaving Coriolanus uncertain about her true intentions.
This complex dynamic raises questions about the nature of power, influence, and control in relationships. It highlights the ways in which mentorship can be used as a tool for manipulation and how individuals can use their charisma and wit to navigate and subvert these dynamics.
In the context of the story, the relationship between Coriolanus and Lucy Gray serves as a commentary on the Capitol's manipulation of the tributes and the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy. It also sets the stage for Coriolanus's later actions in the original Hunger Games trilogy, where he becomes a master manipulator and strategist.
The Hunger Games.
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