The Hunger Games: How does Snow gain the trust of Lucy Gray?
In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, President Coriolanus Snow, the main character, gains the trust of Lucy Gray Baird through a series of strategic actions and genuine emotional connections. Despite initially feeling anxious about being paired with Lucy, a tribute from District 12, Snow sees an opportunity to restore his family's wealth and decides to win her trust.One of the first steps Snow takes to gain Lucy's trust is by sneaking her food. While the tributes are being held at the old zoo before the Hunger Games, Snow realizes that keeping Lucy starved would weaken her. He begins to bring food from the Capitol Academy to feed her, demonstrating his care and concern for her well-being.This act of kindness sparks a sense of trust between the pair, and other tributes take notice of Snow's actions and start quietly feeding their own tributes. Snow's peer, Sejanus Plinth, a District sympathizer, also joins in this act of rebellion against the oppressive Capitol regime. Snow's willingness to help not only Lucy but others as well earns him respect and admiration, cultivating a deeper bond between him and Lucy.Additionally, Snow and Lucy devise a scheme to gain popularity by having Lucy perform for the citizens of the Capitol. They realize the interest the public has in viewing the tributes and decide to use Lucy's talent as a folksinger to captivate their attention. This plan not only showcases Lucy's skills but also allows Snow to showcase his resourcefulness and creativity. Together, they become a dynamic duo, drawing the attention and support of the Capitol citizens.Furthermore, Snow's intelligence and cunning play a significant role in gaining Lucy's trust. As part of the mentorship program, Snow writes an essay proposing the idea of Hunger Games sponsorships. This concept allows Capitol citizens to support their favorite tributes and bet on their success. Snow's innovative idea catches the attention of the Head Game Maker, Volumnia Gaul, who later implements it in the modern games. Snow's ability to contribute valuable ideas and his ambition to make a mark in the Hunger Games industry showcases his potential and earns him respect from the authoritative figures.However, Snow's plan to gain Lucy's trust faces a setback when a classmate discovers his involvement in providing food for the tributes and taming the genetically modified snakes. Snow's classmate, Clemensia, is attacked by the snakes after they mistake her for Snow. Snow realizes that he has been caught, but despite this, he continues to prioritize Lucy's safety and well-being.Throughout the Hunger Games, Snow's alliance with Lucy grows stronger as they navigate the challenges together. They support each other emotionally and rely on one another for survival. Snow witnesses Lucy's resilience and defiance, gaining a deeper understanding of her and growing empathetic towards the Districts.However, as the story progresses, Snow's true nature as a power-hungry and ruthless individual emerges. He betrays Lucy and attempts to kill her as he discovers an opportunity to dispose of evidence that could incriminate him. This moment marks a turning point in Snow's character as he makes the choice to prioritize his own goals and survival over the trust he had built with Lucy.In conclusion, Snow gains the trust of Lucy Gray Baird through a combination of strategic actions, acts of kindness, emotional connections, and shared experiences. Initially driven by ambition, Snow finds himself genuinely drawn to Lucy and establishes a bond built on trust and mutual understanding. However, his hunger for power ultimately leads to a betrayal, emphasizing the transformation of Snow into the villainous President Coriolanus Snow.