Sejanus plinth: Victim, martyr or simply: reckless? (an analysis) 

All he wanted was to help his people and he *really* could have. He was set to become one of the most powerful people in Panem but he couldn't see beyond his current situation and his trauma enough to actually make it there

It seems kind of weird to take the stance that Sejanus is too foolish when he's a traumatized, suicidal teenager that's been ostracized for most of his life. His father essentially moved his family to a rich place where everyone hates their guts, selling out their own people. Sejanus wanted to kill himself in the Arena because of his great sense of justice and his grief over one of his FRIENDS from childhood dying so cruelly while televised to the nation. Sejanus being reckless makes perfect sense in that context, but because we're stuck in Coriolanus' mind for the entire novel--who has little to no empathy for others and is a kiss-ass to the fascist government despite living in poverty himself--it makes it seem like Sejanus is a moron that deserved his death... He didn't. He was a child who trusted the wrong person, considered Coriolanus his best friend and the only one who understood him, and Coriolanus' need for power and control had him ratting out Sejanus and getting the boy executed. Sure, Sejanus could've tried to play 'the long game' and change the system from the inside... But everyone despised him because he was District, they would constantly talk behind his back. The only reason people tolerated the Plinths was for their money. Sejanus had no allies or friends, minus Coriolanus. How is he supposed to make any sort of true political change when he's a child of a family who most of the Capitol elite hate on principal?

Sejanus was showing his young age. He saw the evil that was happening, wanted to do something, but went about it in a way that was immature, poorly thought out, and short sighted. If he had the maturity to think in terms of playing the long game, he would have stayed in the capitol, using his wealth and power for the good of all.

I think the main thing that a lot of people are missing is that Sejanus was suicidal. He clearly stated so in the arena, and the only reason he left was because Coryo was in danger. He was reckless, because he had no long-term planning, and no regard for the future because he was just trying to make a statement and be a martyr. He wanted his death to mean something, so he was just looking around for an opportunity to do it.

I’ve not seen this said anywhere else but Sejanus’ spiritual counterpart in the original Hunger Games series isn’t Peeta, it’s Gale. They’re both reckless true believers so don’t take consequence into account. It’s also why Gale wouldn’t have won the Hunger Games, he would’ve made impulsive and destructive decisions and would’ve been killed almost immediately. The differences in emotiveness between Gale and Sejanus can be pretty easily explained by their vastly different upbringings.

It’s interesting that Sejanus and Highbottom, both living in the Capital and not seeing themselves as directly in danger, respond to that pain by numbing it or lashing out whereas Lucy, Katniss, and Peeta respond to the pain by fighting. They are forced to understand the society around them and be smart about it because they won’t survive if they don’t. I guess the same ended up being true for Sejanus and Highbottom in the end, even if they didn’t realize it.

Your section on recklessness and privilege is so correct. Sejanus, at times, is so consumed by his own guilt that he routinely seems to forget that this is NOT about him! We could all argue about whether or not working within the system to destroy it works (it very much usually doesn't), but with the sheer amount of wealth and privilege that Sejanus has, even over Coriolanus, can't be ignored. If Sejanus were just a little bit meaner, or more able to play the long game, he could have easily gotten his father to stop funding Dr. Gaul or somehow get to Coriolanus and demonstrate that the Games aren't necessary for control (though this latter point would probably be harder to do, considering Coriolanus is already as good as red pilled by the time he and Sejanus have any sort of deep/meaningful interactions with each other). I still feel bad for him though, and his death was horrific.

Coriolanus basically told him to work within the system. Sejanus could have used his wealth and status within the system to try to institute change. He was so short sighted where Corio knew enough to play the long game.

To me, Sejanus is very relatable, brave and ahead of his time. For some of the same reasons, Haymitch is my favorite character from the original trilogy. Go on how much you want about how stupid, selfish, reckless and tactless he was. Some people simply feel things on a much deeper level than the majority, and not everyone can be scientists or politicians with an IQ of 200. We all have our different virtues and flaws, and that and the ability to cooperate is what has made mankind the ruling species on the planet. Kindness and compassion is often forgotten in favor of intelligence and ambition, when listing and prioritizing essential and admirable human traits. Snow's betrayal of Sejanus´ trust was him killing the last part of his conscience the way I read it. I really enjoyed reading about his "futile, symbolic, selfish and idiotic" acts of rebellion during the Games and in District 12 too, because it really shows that it was a different time period than Katniss´ time. Just 10 years after a horrific war demanding justice and equality, which ended with the cruel creation of The Hunger Games and even more inequality, really shows just how superior the Capitol views itself compared to the Districts. Things that would have been physically impossible in the later games, like entering the arena, and outright questioning the morality of the Games, was possible once, and there were always people who hated and disgusted the Games, even in the Capitol. And those people were made examples of. Brutally. Snow's thoughts was really disturbing to read more often than not, especially how he views "District people". No offense to all geeks out there, but I would prefer someone with a heart of gold and an average/slightly below average intelligence to a genius with no empathy or compassion any day. Truth is, we need people like Sejanus.

I feel like if Sejanus had found a friend in the Capitol who was smarter than him and shared his perspective on the Games, maybe Sejanus would’ve been more successful and wouldn’t have gotten betrayed the way he was. Maybe he wouldn’t have depended on Snow so much. Then again, the closest thing he could probably find to such an ally is Tigress, but she’s too close to Coriolanus, so…

Okay, I’m sorry, but the last part of this video is sooo hard to listen to because Sejanus obviously went into the arena to die… not only did he mean to die, he meant for his death to be caught on camera. Televising his death would show the Capitol how little control the government has over the Games and by extension, over the districts-couple this with the mess that the 10th HG alrdy was and the fact the Games were hugely unpopular, it could’ve very well been the undoing of the Games. Dr. Gaul recognized this, which is why she cut the feed and sent Coryo in to get him out, y’all rlly think she’d care if he died? She basically played heads or tails with Clemme’s life just a few days prior and the two in terms of hierarchy would more or less be the same, Clemme’s pedigree vs. Sejanus’ wealth, they’d more or less cancel each other out. Also side note, I wholeheartedly believe Sejanus’ morphling was merely for plot reasons, i.e. so that Snow would have a means to kill Highbottom at the end of the book.

Book reader only here-I think Sejanus‘ father’s amnesia about what it meant to begin in the districts us an example of what capitalism and greed can do to a person. His father is the epitome of a venture capitalist. Sejanus‘ empathy and naïveté did not fit in this world. He was too trusting and caring to his own demise.

I think Sejanus's tragedy is due to his easy life (not emotionally, of course, but physically). His father is rich and everything is taken care of for him. He doesn't have to think about making a living and planning a future like Snow, so, in some way I think, he's more naive and can't see pass his own pains. And he doesn't have anyone to teach him how to express his pain either. If he had the wit and mind like Snow, combine with his kind heart, he would be able to achieve so much (we can all see that through Snow at the end when he inherited the Plinth's fortune and eventually become President of Panem)

People calling Sejanus selfish is really weird to me...."he acted like a child" um, he was. He was 17/18. Dealing with a lot with no emotional support. His mother also babied him in many ways. Sejanus was pretty suicidal and cared little for his own well-being. This is made clear in the arena in the book. Love Sejanus.❤️

Sejanus is simply unable to think in the long term. He's naive and sweet but just like his ma they are unable to adapt and understand they are in a snakes pit

Sejanus is definetly the product of his upbringing, he was ostracized for being district and no longer welcome in 2 for being “capital” so he accepted any sign of friendship at face value and trusted that person wholeheartedly. You see it in his first scene in the movie, Snow is making fun of Sejanus with other capital kids not 10 feet from him and when Sejanus approaches Snow becomes what Sejanus thinks he is. A friend. He’s not used to having anybody so the second 1 person gives him the time of day he’s willing to do anything for that person. It’s ultimately what gets him killed. His blind trust that Billy Taupe isn’t lying to him and his hope that Snow loves him and will protect him like he said he would leads to his death.

I think his actions are still fairly self-centred. Hear me out: He does recognise his position and is conflicted by it. But his actions, while motivated by guilt, are generally self-serving in a strange kind of way. He's trying to assuage his own conscience, trying to prove to himself that he's done everything he can for the districts. Which leads to these self-sabotaging, public, but inevitably fruitless actions. Does any of his actions ever really help anyone in the districts? Do his outbursts ever lead to anything but him making clear his distaste for the capital? No judgement, I've done it myself, but it's an unconscious kind of selfishness, trying to prove your own altruism

Sejanus’ story cuts really deep for me as someone who immigrated to the US. We are led, almost forced, to believe (even by our own parents) that leaving everything we’ve ever known is for the better; for prosperity, for civilization, for modernity, for survival. I witness barbarism and t*rrorism from the US govt+military towards not only its own citizens but humanity across the globe, and yet my cries of injustice are still met with the relentless notion that THIS is “civilization.” We are cut off from everything we’ve ever known, stunted in our intellectual and emotional growth, leading to the “regression” identified in the video when we are faced with situations that we understand so deeply to be unjust and incorrect yet are unable to articulate or properly address because there is no avenue to do so that doesn’t involve either illegal activity or selling your soul to the empire in hopes of subtle, gradual change. It is difficult enough as an immigrant to come to terms with the fact that you should be appreciative to live somewhere that the predominant view of your culture is subhuman, barbaric, primitive, animalistic, etc. and not feel like you can express that to your loved ones for fear of being labeled ungrateful. I cannot imagine how much more difficult it is for someone like Sejanus, who is swept and kept away from his people so violently. With all that said, I think any analysis that positions Sejanus as self-centered is lacking in empathy and proper analysis of politics/power. Of course he ultimately didn’t DO the “smartest” things, but also, who was there to teach him otherwise? To teach him the ways of the rebellion? If he had any chance of learning organically, they were ripped away when he left the Districts. His father certainly wasn’t going to tell him how to destroy the system that lined his pockets. Nor was anybody in the Capitol, whose very lives and comforts depended on this system. Nor was Coriolanus. I think his story is tragic; he wanted so desperately to help his people, and yet, lacking proper mentorship and political education, and naively trusting manipulative people, he chose the wrong path. He is so clearly one of if not the only voice in the Capitol who recognizes the humanity of the Districts and feels their pain. It feels so shallow to call his horrible death “self-centered.”

In the book, Sejanus had morphling to ease the pain from the injuries he acquired when he and Snow were leaving the arena and Bobbin came after them, and sliced his leg running out. He wasn't addicted, he had it and used it when the pain was unbearable

While reading book I liked him very much but I was not blind of his lack of control, privilege that even Snow because of his lack of money couldn't get (I mean if Snow entered in arena to preform ritual even he couldn't get out of it unharmed by Capitol). But I mostly blame his parents even ma of lack of understanding that they are in snakes pit and need to guide their son better. Also he didn't have any real friends but even that couldn't help him, Snow was somewhat pulling him out of troubles because of circumstances but Sejanus never truly listened even him. His last words were so sad. 😭 You definitely should do video for Lucy if you want.

I view the relationship they hold as the brotherly love that Collins keeps pointing out through the whole book. Snow being the older more level headed one to guide his younger brother. And I think because snow viewed sejanus as younger and lesser than him in so many ways, that’s why sejanus came off as so foolish and naive in the books. Which I think is accurate to his character, but we saw a dramatized baby version of him cause that’s what Snow saw. Which I tell myself because the first time reading through it was really hard to route for sejanus and his choices because I was seeing those choices from how they could actually hurt so many others he cares about

Thank you for the video. I agree that Sejanus' father never connected with him. He "improved" his family's situation but his wife and son would have preferred to stay in D2 as subjects than have power in the Capitol. They probably never truly understood each other. Strabo valued safety and power but his wife and son wanted the community of D2. That was a luxury that they couldn't afford. The Capitol doesn't allow for such deviance of the norm and they never learned it. I loved Sejanus so much but he was doomed. Snow betrayed him but hus self-destruction was so strong that something else would have happened. It was very frustrating to read him because he never learned or changed and I wanted him to do well but it was impossible for him.

i heard someone say that sejanus counterpart to the original trilogy is katniss, since they were both fighters. and on the other hand lucy grays counterpart to the original was peeta, since they were both performers. sejanus and katniss played the games, while lucy gray and peeta played the capitol.

Thank you for doing a Sejanus analysis! I was literally searching for one video the other day but there’s barely any. I just think his character is very interesting and his views and actions really warrants a conversation. I also watched your other video yesterday too! Thank you for such great videos.

Snow gave him great advice about using his money and power to make real change behind the scenes. But he had no idea HOW to do that and made unsafe ignorant choices for himself and those he was trying to help. It reminds me of when wealthy young people get involved in activism but think just showing up, stating their allyship and getting likes is the way to go. When in reality they are in the way, outshouting and speaking for the people they are trying to help, getting those people into dangerous situations, ect. They might care a lot but they feel going the Batman route is the best one. When we all know if Bruce Wayne had used all that money and power to enact change, a lot more lasting good would have been done. You are on point with how someone like him is no long for the world in a place like Panem. I think he is honestly how most of us would have ended up if raised in the upper districts or capital. Deep empathy and high emotional intelligence but no skills or knowledge how to survive and help others.

I think Sejanus really shows that impact and intent can differ in detrimental extremes to not only one’s self but the world and others around them. You articulated your points so well and the video visuals and editing were PERF!!! Also; YASS DROP THE TRACK BABY Giving all the 2YK energy 😭

I didn’t realize until watching this how much I used to be like Sejanus when it came to emotions until I realized I’m only 21 and I was a child back then !! Then you immediately clocked it by talking about how he regresses, timingggg is everything

Sejanus' self-destructive tendencies seem to be central for his whole character to me. He didn't really try to die in the arena over Markus's body because he wanted to prove something to the Capitol audience; as naïve as he was, I think he had little hope for that. Mostly, he wanted to take revenge on his father for putting him into this situation, and with that goal in mind, it's kind of perfect. Like he was saying to Strabo, 'You've betrayed our District in the War, you are trying to pretend like we are Capitol now, and you've put me through this horror to force me to play along. Watch me, I'm paying respects to this body in a District 2 way, and I'm dying in the arena next to him to prove to you that he and I are one and the same". Honestly, as a "fuck you" to Strabo Plinth it would have conveyed the message well. I actually think you are on the money with Coryo's role in his life. He kinda reminds me of one John Laurens, the historical prototype of that Hamilton character. He was the son of one of the richest land owners in the colonies. Raised in privilege, he got the best education in Europe, where he adopted strong abolitionist beliefs; the education that was, ironically, paid for with the money his slave owning father made on his South Carolina plantations. It seems like the conflict was tearing him apart. John was intelligent, sensitive, outspoken, and ready to fight for his beliefs; he was also notably reckless on the battlefield, seemingly not caring about getting hurt at all. Unsurprisingly, he got himself (and his men) killed in a dramatic fashion and never got far with his progressive ideas.

I'm probably about to write a novel about things you made me think of. I think the difference between Peeta and Sejanus can be summed up as the difference between percieved privilege and actual privilege. Peeta is in the same boat as Madge in the sense he probably only had his name in the reaping bowl 5 times. His family is in better shape financially than most of the district, and instead of learning to hunt to survive, he learned to frost cakes. By district 12 standards, he's privileged. But his mom is abusive, his father is spineless, they live off stale bread, and most importantly, he is still in the reaping bowl. Katniss learned to survive the games based on her own traumas and upbringing, and so did Peeta. Sejanus is actually privileged. His dad bought his way out of the games and out of consequences. He never had to learn survival techniques like Peeta did because his dad shielded him from consequences. And really, his dad's biggest failing was thinking that money was a sufficient shield to all the family's problems. They aren't respected in the capitol, so Sejanus is treated badly by classmates. His "best friend" is a spoiled little boy who tolerates him while silently resenting that Sejanus has what he is "owed." All because Strabo never taught his son the lessons he needed and maybe never knew them in the first place to teach them (which is a whole other fun rabbit hole of modern society's take on what a father's job should be, but this is already really long so moving on). Which all brings me to an interesting thing I never noticed until I listened to this video: Sejanus's first actions in the book predict his downfall. He's carrying a decorative and unwieldy shield around, and catches himself in the chest with it. That shield is not what he needs, it doesn't protect him in the moment from a perceived threat (and even is the catalyst for the percieved threat, given that he gets defensive about Snow's joke about it) and ends up just causing more problems for him in the moment than if he didn't have it at all.

It was interesting having a listen to this being female who greatly relates to Sejaynus- including some of his flaws. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Of all the characters in the prequel, he was the most relatable.

I just found your channel and as someone who just finished this book for the first time a couple days ago, I’m LOVING your videos on this

Oh Sejanus, if only he had learned to temper his emotions and play the long game…he has no idea the type of power and influence he could have had overseeing real change in Panem. I have to disagree with a point you made about Strabo Plinth working alongside Sejanus to plot against the capital. I’m reminded of that scene where Coriolanus visits the Plinth’s after pulling Sejanus out of the arena: Strabo makes a comment about how Mrs. Snow was always gracious towards him, despite his district background. It reads to me that even though Strabo knows he yields great power through his wealth, they will never truly assimilate, but he is determined to try with all his might to do so. Sejanus would have been better off biding his time and waiting until the family fortune fell to him. Try as they might to deny it, the Capital relies on the money Strabo Plinth through at them, whether it’s funding a scholarship to the university or funding a new science lab. Had Sejanus learned to play the game (read: be more like Snow) he would have been able to put stipulations on his wealth and negotiate the running of Panem. Had he stayed alive, Coriolanus would not have had the opportunity to become the dictator we know, his ability to do so came from his closeness with Plinth’s after losing Sejanus. I appreciate the humanity and empathy Sejanus had, but you were very right, he made himself a target from the onslaught. There was no way his actions would have lead to a long life.

Great breakdown and analysis. Keep 'em coming 🙂

As someone who suffers from bi-polar 1, I've always assumed that was Sejanus's problem. Most of his irrationality and passion, but not being able to control it, are very familiar to me. I have also moved around a lot as a child. I went to 3 elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high-school. The person who dosen't fit in because they come from an atea deamed as backwards is also something I can relate to. i always looked for a person in a new school to "follow" so that my school life might be made better. But I had multiple opportunities to learn that people would just take advantage of me. Thus, by the time I got to high school, I decided to form my own click and never follow others again. Sejanus hasn't learned this lesson yet. This is what leads him to his death. One of the reasons I've always been drawn to the hunger games books has been its depiction of mental health. While not perfect, Susan Collins makes a point of showing how poor mental health leads to unfortunate ends. While it was a main focus in the original trilogy, in this book, we mostly see Snow's phycapathy. I was never in the intended age group for these books, and I found them after the movies started when I was in my 30s. But the way she handled mental health was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was complex and didn't completely blame the person effected for thier disease. While I do believe that Seanus dug his own grave, I believe his mental health had a huge part of it

This video has earned you a subcriber. This was an excellent breakdown and can't wait to see what video about this film you make next. Also, the outro is lit 🔥🔥🔥

I've gotta say, your thumbnails are always so beautiful! ❤

GIRL this analysis is SO GOOD

Lots of people say Sejanus reminds them of Katniss or Peeta but to me I found myself comparing him more to Prim. I mean, the most obvious example of this to me is Sejanus wanting to be a medic. Striving to help the needy and wanting the world to be a better place overall. They both hold a sort of naive or pure nature. Sejanus going into the arena as a suicide mission just to sprinkle bread crumbs on Marcus reminds me of Prim going back for Buttercup in District 13. Prim is knowledgeable but still sheltered by Katniss and Sejanus is sheltered by Ma. Since we see him through Snows POV it's like if Primrose was seen as an annoyance rather than something to protect. They don't really have a lot of control over their lives, with Prim having no control over her sister going into the arena and Sejanus not having control on losing his friends and his only friend ultimately leading to his demise. The difference is Sejanus's reckless actions (that of a child's) actually had an impact because he was partially in a place of power.

Please do a Lucy Gray vid!

Awesome character study ❤

Sejanus is self destructing character, he was searching for death because of his trauma with father , he didn’t want to develop, he didn’t want to grow up, he wasn’t aware of real people situation, he was just a rebel against his father , also he was infantile, he was sure , they would never kill him because of his parents

It was an interesting take on the character. I also looking forward for your take on Lucy Gray Baerd. ☺

Oh yes please do the video about Lucy Gray!! This was awesome❤️

i have so MUCH to say about his charecter.. the mirroring of us that he is. i have very crippling dyslexia so its hard to wright but YES

Been waiting for a Lucy gray analysis 🙏🙏

I feel if Sejanus would have controlled his emotions better and been more strategic he could have done so much better for his people in the districts. I don't blame him at all for being emotional, but his failure to control it is what caused his death in the end.

i would love to see a video on lucy gray :) your thoughts on sejanus put my jumble of thoughts into actual great arguments!!!

I think it's a little strange to call him reckless for his reactions that he had at the "wrong time". He was just a kid and in an incredibly difficult and lonely position. I think I would have reacted in very similar ways as him if I was in the same situation. Most people, I think, would have such emotional reactions that could put them in danger. It's pretty normal considering the circumstances

id love a video on lucy gray!

I feel like Sejanus was empathetic due to being from the districts BUT he had such a hero complex thinking everything he did was gonna be so helpful he never planned for the small details only thought about his end product (helping people of the districts) so he would flub things putting himself in danger no realizing if he died he can’t help anyone. He only came to terms with the consequences of his actions when he was about to be hung which could’ve been avoided if he thought through things.

His father's seeming disinterest in helping him or rebeling feels like an overblown example of parents moving to another country or area for their work. They think their child will be ok with a change that's forcing them to adapt because bettering their child's life can be its own tunnel vision, and "kids are resilient".

What is the footage that you use around the 4 minute mark? It doesn’t appear to be from the movies and I don’t see it credited anywhere.

I took a social justice class in high school. Something they talked about was big picture versus small picture. Giving food to the homeless is nice and helps but it’s small picture. Becoming in a position of power to help the mentally ill/ addicts be able to have housing is big picture. Sejanus thought small picture but wanted big picture results.

What music did you use as the bgm for these tbosas videos?

Would love to hear your take on Lucy gray.

And in the end, the capital nearly break Peeta by playing with his emotions and turn them against him, when they torture him, nothing that he says to Katniss was a lie, only that Katniss is stoic as a stone, now that I watched the last two Mockingjay movies again, I think that the trailers really exaggerated the whole "love triangle" thing, that was greatly subdue in the movies, but I think that they really go to soft with Gale, he allow hundreds of civilians including Katniss sister to be killed, and he only worries about Katniss sister, and ignore the rest, he committed a literal war crime and only receive a silent treatment.

This is the first video ive seen his name spelling. This whole time ive thought everyone was saying Sir Janus, and i thought that was an odd formal title for only one character to have lol. Makes more sense now, its Sejanus!

his district heart’s in the right place but lacked the capitol tact

I don’t think Sejanus had to be close friends with Marcus to want to perform that act for him. If you are in a small town and someone in class has that happen, I would want to do it too. Probably guilt that that could have been him in there. It’s shown over and over Sejanus being very empathetic so it’s easy to see him wanting to do that and it’s understandable

Reckless and naive.

Bro Strabo straight up sucks, he literally buys Sejanus's old friend to make him fight in the games, no wonder Snow and him vibe

Look up over- and under-functioning. Thats probably the dynamic he and Snow had.

Hes simply a radical idealist. Too good for his own good. In the book he was aware of what he was doing despite being insecure, whereas in the film he was cocky from the start and then proved to simply be naive

Please do a Lucy Gray one please

That was intersting. I also agree that Sejanu was very reckless about his actions, but i guess that it depends on your personality - some people are calculating and cunning like coriolanus, and other tend to be too outspoken and... pretty dumb? (Sorry sejanus, i love you, but I cant deny some obvious facts). Plus, the thing that you've said about coriolanus and sejanus's fatherly relatinship was really fascinating to me - i'd never thought about that before, but now i completely agree with this idea. Please, make this video about lucy gray - i think thatight be interesting too!

Sejanus' worst mistake was a very simple one: he didn't knew how to play the games within the Capitol.

Pleas do the Lucy gray vid!!!

Why is no one stating the obvious!!! Dr G be lookin’ like a walking talking Bomb Pop! 🤣🤣

He didn't get he was living in a dictatorship. Also, the movie changed things a bit too inconsistently. Opening the movie is a scene where he tells Coriolanus there's no prize, as if somehow, he knows Coryo has a lot riding on it. But in the book, Sejanus often shows up sporting new outfits, being completely and entirely oblivious to Coriolanus' precarious situation. At some point, Coryo is stressed out of his mind over the taxes, and Sejanus just hasn't got a clue what's going on. His death is still rather tragic, but ultimately not unexpected.

I think Sejanus has a lot of guilt about being privileged enough to go to the Capitol, and he can feel his former district classmates’ hatred of him for “betraying” them. And so he feels the need to punish himself to try and recover a sense of belonging with the Districts since he has realized through his new classmates’ remarks that he will never truly belong in the Capitol, he will always be viewed as district.

In defense but not necessarily excusing Sejanus' actions but I'd definitely take in to consideration the fact that its pretty hard to gauge the full damage that living through the Dark Days did on his generation as a whole. While the kind of care they'd get in the Capitol at this time in their history is still leagues above the Capitol, it's still a far cry to the Capitol 64 years from now and theres a lot of things that reflect that. A bellicose society like Panem might not consider it a priority. Through Snow's eyes we get glimpses of what the war was like for the Capitol and as bad as it was it could have been a lot worse in 2 but we don't know for sure. So I guess my point is, is that Sejanus, even as a Capitol citizen he probably wasn't getting the true mental care he needed.

ps drop supernova walk

Sejanus was ultimately just very unequipped for the world he was born into. And I think partly that was the fault of his parents for not preparing him, and another part was his own personality and genetics. Nature and nurture both just didn’t work out in his favor. If he had been born in a different world, he might have been okay.

Peeta is more like Lucy Gray and Katniss is more like Sejanus. I think that was the point.

Sejanus is a hot-headed teenager, and he has experienced trauma. His behavior is completely understandable. Spoiler below: When I read the book, I knew almost immediately he had to die before the end. I've been enjoying your videos!

Lol I never thought that much about him besides thinking he was annoying. (I’m very easily persuaded while reading! By the end I was like “yeah, snow DOES land on top!”) also wondering why the people of panem needed to name their precious children -anus.

Idk if someone has already said this but I feel Sejanus was so essential in shaping Coriolanus because he kind of ended up being a joke seeing how he did not think things through. Whereas Snow has always had to be smart and precise in order to keep up appearances. The mistakes Sejanus made cemented Coriolanus’ character. It also makes sense why he would become so evil and hate Katniss since Sejanus showed Snow how following your emotions can be a disaster for everyone. Actually, I feel Snow would be very different if he did not know Sejanus because in the book although he is very selfish, there’s just a tiny glimmer of empathy in him. OR, if Sejanus could have used his potential and actually made a change, maybe Snow would have turned out good. It’s very interesting to think about. The more I think about this book the better it gets. (Also I’m writing this in the beginning of the video so if it says the same thing ignore me)

You could not have analyzed it better! I felt Sejanus was very reckless and immature ( I loved him too) I didn’t read the book yet but in the movie I thought they were best friends and was so confused that Snow didn’t try to help him make better decisions. But that being said, Snow being a survivalist probably saw Sejanus as a loose cannon.

Another thought cause the entire book sejanus separates himself from the capitol just because he was born in two, but he’s spent no more than what? 6 years there? I think that’s another reason why so many struggle to route for him just because he’s not really district anymore, he only got a taste of what it’s like out there and got a taste from a protected child’s point of view. (Which is also his parents fault at the end of it as well because you gotta let your kids grow up even in this kind of world) I think that’s why he comes off as bratty because he’s trying just a little to hard to stay something he isn’t when he could have leaned into the Capitol and made real change there with his money and power.

I was sympathetic towards him reading the book, but in the movie he annoyed the hell out of me. Maybe because his actor gave me hugest icks ever. I don't know why 😅

The thing that was sad to me, was I really do think he played a huge part in Snow becoming who he does. All because Snow was a so called friend to him- Snow had to murder the boy in the area, to save this “friend” and the majors daughter, because snow was in the wrong place at the wrong time, again. Because of this friend. And this friend died, because of his own reckless actions- snow blames himself for his death because he was covering himself against this friend who was being extremely careless in aiding the rebels and who would have and did get caught. Snow isn’t in the wrong for trying to save himself from his “friend” who clearly didn’t care who he affected with his actions. Snow tried to teach him and tell him all the good things he could do with a little patience, a little more thought behind his actions. But he just couldn’t get past the here and now.

this video was perfect!! I would love a lucy grey video

For me he never grew out of being an idiot because his father keeps bailing him out. Then hes too proud to communicate w/ his father. Sejanus' last words when he was hung sums up who he was.

I didn't read any of the hunger game books and don't plan to. I don't want to know in detail of bad the capital was to the districts. So, my opinion is short sided, but Sejanus death traumatize me still. I agree with a lot of people that he was reckless and just acted on emotions because he knew that his parents would just bile him out as always. He also had a hero complex because he knew he was the lucky one that got out a terrible situation. So he was trying to prove to his district he didn't take that chance forgranted (which he sadly he did) I know people are saying he wanted to be a martyr as i'm sure that was true at a time, but the way he was at his execution was not a man that was really to die. The way he was pleading Snow to help him and screaming for his mom to get him out of this was heartbreaking . But I have to hold him accountable Snow told him stop multiple times he kept putting himself in danger and putting snow at risk as well and the punishment would have been death. Snow made a choice that sadly most of us would have made in that sitaution. The major was on a witch hunt to find the person that killed his daughter it was either him or Snow and Lucy. Sejanus was too much of a loose cannon and sadly had to take the fall in Snows mind even tho he hated doing it and it changed him forever he had to save himself. Sejanus was a kid over his head and didn't know it until it was too late.

I think people don't see that he would have always been an eternal immigrant. He worked hard, got good grades and yet was constantly ostracized. Even if he inherited his father's business he would not be able to enact major change without staging a rebellion. He realises this, is not interested in a long pampered life being hated and selling weapons to kill those he identifies with, and wants to be seen as someone from District 2 instead. Immigrant parents are landing in a new culture with much to deal with, and desperately try give their children opportunities to set up in this new place. The horrors of what they've just left are not as real to the children who are left isolated and lost. The father is just trying to make nice so his son doesn't end up with his name in the bowl. Being an immigrant who came into the country at 16, where everyone would go 'oh that country sucks, you're all..... ' when I said where I came from. I get it.

I'm sorry but snow snitching on him was understandable. He already put Snow's life in danger TWICE and this third time if he went through with this plan and escaped, then snow would be hanged just by association. This was made clear early on when they said "you're as good o us as the rebels" at this point snow still needs to find a way to support his family and this spoiled rich kid keeps fucking it up. The scene that shows us who Sejanus really is, is when the tributes were behind the bars like a zoo and Sejanus shoved the food in front of his old classmate daginling it saying HEY I GOT YOU FOOD. He was a spoiled reckless rich kid that was very performative. His last words were "ma ma" because every time he was in trouble his parents would pay everything off. He got on my last nerves and snow warned him many times to stop.

Sejanus has daddy issues, and he has a crush on snow, after having a crush on the boy from his district, as a gay man head is very obvious LMAO

I really enjoyed Sejanus's character cause he was having normal reactions to what was going on around him. Yes it was highly emotional but in a very high stakes situation in my mind very very normal reactions lol. Tho there was something off for me about him that didn't make me fully adore him as much as I could have and that was how at times he centered the situation around himself and how every action he did was a result of guilt and compassion. But mainly guilt. I feel like he never actually tried to come up with a viable way to fight back. His solution was to be a martyr and then to kinda run away towards the end. But I also wonder if that might have been the point of him. Cause here you have someone with the means to truly make a change but what stops them is despair. Sejanus is someone without much hope and hope is what is needed to rebel and actually make a change.

One thing that pissed me off about Sejanus is when Snow has to get him out of the arena and Sejanus goes, "I'd thought they'd send my Ma." Like bro was waiting to be rescued. He could have honored Marcus with the breadcrumbs, and then BOOK IT OUT OF THERE

Déjànus? Or anus !😊

For some reason his character always annoyed me. I get that he felt out if place at The Capitol and his family’s wealth was aggravating for him but he came across as a whinny, self-pitying narcissist that only cared about clearing his own conscience and guilt.

This video was spot on. Sejanus was spoiled and foolish . He was trying to smooth his own guilt by his public stunts.

I know a lot of people say that they love Sejanus, but i don't. As someone who's seen just the ending of a war, Sejanus was simply dumb, reckless & self centred. Heck, Snow was more compassionate than Sejanus at times. When I read the book, the entire time I kept wondering if Sejanus would've had that outburst if it wasn't Marcus- someone he knew from school. Had it been a kid from another district or even from 2 that he didn't know i don't think he'd have reacted that strongly. Sejanus was also someone who lied to himself at the same ( if not more ) level that Snow did, saying he doesn't care about the money, constantly talking about D2 & wanting to be accepted as is while not accepting the Capitol. Another thing I've noticed is, Sejanus ( and Lucy Gray) both think their disdain for the Capitol is totally justified but the Capitol should treat the districts with utmost care even after the war & even after the Capitol was starving too. I'm not saying it's black & white, the problem is Lucy Gray & Sejanus think it is. It's not right to think Snow should be happy in D12 or D8 or wherever & not miss his home but LG & Sejanus openly say how much they hate it. ( Talking about LG after she won.) Ultimately what I've found is that all Sejanus was a well intentioned person, but half the time even his intentions were self serving, he had no idea what he would do after getting in the Arena, insisting on taking Marcus' body & do what exactly? putting Coryo's life in danger, not realising what the rebels would do. Truly the only thing that makes us feel compassion for him was that he was betrayed by Snow, and i truly believe that even if Snow didn't do anything, Sejanus was so careless, idealistic & impractical that he would have eventually landed at the hanging tree, even without Snow's help. I know this reads a bit harsh, but again if we remove the fact that he was betrayed we're left with a privileged boy who wipes his years with cash & cries victim & is all heart no head.

"whether you are a man or a woman .. (something something in panem society)" This reenforces the very binary view of gender and gendered social roles in the books. Its one of the flaws of this series; that is doesnt allow any space for queerness is something to be conscious of when discussing it

I wish Sejanus were smarter and pretended to agree with the Capitol and the Games which was pretty much what Coryo was doing in the beginnig before losing his moral compass completely.Dr. Gaul was too powerful there was literally nothing to do but wait for her death.He could change a lotta things and Coryo could not afford the uni let alone become the president if he had not died.Unfortunately his actions with temper caused more harm than good for both himself and the ones he wanted to help that is why ı kind of agree why Coryo thought he was trouble maker and annoying tbh he meant well but his plans was were just dumb unfortunately and ı am so sorry for him 🥹And ı also loved the "like moths to a flame" metophor used by Highbottom to reflect himself and Crassus Snows friendship.This also parallels Coryo and Sejanus.