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Thresh is the boy from District 11 who accompanies Rue to the Hunger Games. He is massive, intimidating, powerful, and keeps largely to himself. Katniss states that he possessed a "silent, deadly power." Thresh has a strong set of principles. He rejects the invitation to join the Career pack even though it would probably give him a higher chance of survival. He also refuses to play the Capitol's games and promote himself in his interview with Caesar Flickerman in the hope of gaining sponsors.
His defining character trait is his somewhat surprising morality and honor. When he overhears Clove bragging about the Careers killing Rue, he attacks and kills Clove to defend Rue's memory. When Katniss tells Thresh that she and Rue were allies and that Katniss tried to save her, sang to her as she died, and killed Rue's murderer, Thresh shows Katniss mercy. Evidently, Rue meant a great deal to him. He spares Katniss's life, declaring, “Just this one time, I let you go. For the little girl." There is not supposed to be any mercy in the Hunger Games—the arena is designed to strip children of their humanity as soon as the countdown begins. Each tribute becomes a killer in a desperate attempt to make it home. Thresh breaks the Capitol's rules and chooses humanity over violence, mirrored in District 11's choice to also break the rules and send Katniss bread in the arena to thank her for looking after Rue both in life and death. These are some of the earliest signs we see of people disobeying and challenging the Capitol.
