Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Why did Snow join the mentorship program?

In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to The Hunger Games series, we delve into the younger years of President Coriolanus Snow and his involvement in the mentorship program for the 10th Annual Hunger Games. Snow's motivation for participating in the mentorship program is primarily driven by his desire to restore his family's wealth and social standing.After losing both his parents to the war, Snow and his remaining family members are left destitute and reliant on food rations. Living in the Capitol's apartment with his grandmother and cousin Tigress, Snow feels the weight of his family's downfall. So, when he is chosen to be part of the mentorship program, he sees it as an opportunity to potentially win the cash prize and improve his family's situation.However, Snow's enthusiasm wanes when he learns that he has been paired with the female tribute from District 12, the poorest district in Panem. Snow grows anxious about the potential backlash and failure associated with mentoring a tribute from such a disadvantaged background. He is concerned about the image it may project and how it might hinder his chances of winning the cash prize.Despite his initial reservations, Snow begins to develop a sense of trust and connection with his assigned tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. As he sneaks food from the Academy to give to Lucy, their relationship evolves, and Snow starts to see her as more than just a means to an end. He becomes intrigued by her vibrant personality and the attention she garners from the citizens of the Capitol.Furthermore, Snow's motivation is influenced by the dynamics within the Games themselves. He witnesses the hunger, sickness, and weakness that plague the tributes in the arena. Snow recognizes the power dynamics at play and sees an opportunity to manipulate the system to his advantage. He presents the idea of a betting and sponsorship program to the Head Game Maker, Volumnia Gaul. This notion eventually becomes instrumental in the modern Hunger Games, further solidifying Snow's motivation to participate in the mentorship program.As the story progresses, Snow's motivations become more complex. He starts to empathize with Lucy and the Districts, growing disillusioned with the Capitol's oppressive regime. This shift in perspective influences his decisions and actions beyond just winning the Games. Snow's involvement in a rebellion plot and his growing affection for Lucy lead him to make choices that may ultimately contradict his initial motivations.In the end, Snow's participation in the mentorship program is driven by a combination of personal ambition, the desire to restore his family's wealth, and a gradual realization of the injustices within Panem's society. However, as the events unfold, his motivations evolve, and he finds himself caught between loyalty to the Capitol and his conflicted feelings towards Lucy and the potential for a different future.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes showcases the complex character development of President Coriolanus Snow and the multifaceted motivations that drive his participation in the mentorship program. Suzanne Collins masterfully explores the origins of a dictator and the underlying circumstances that shape his choices and actions. As readers, we witness Snow's transformation from a young, ambitious man to the infamous villain we come to know in The Hunger Games series.