Who Is Burdock Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Explained
The character crosses paths with Haymitch Abernathy in Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping, but his identity isn’t revealed explicitly until the book’s epilogue. Here’s what we know about Burdock and his connection to The Hunger Games movie series.
The Hunger Games’ next prequel, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, will come as a major expansion of the franchise’s universe, especially when it comes to District 12 citizens.
Suzanne Collins’ original sequel novel delves into the events of the 50th Hunger Games won by Haymitch Abernathy, with him becoming the second District 12 winner in the Hunger Games’ history.
Apart from taking a look at the character’s journey to the Capitol and encounter with President Snow, the story also follows him back home, mentioning Haymitch’s best friend Burdock Everdeen a couple of times on its way.
It’s the last name that will likely ring the bell, but Burdock’s connection to Katniss Everdeen isn’t that clear until the very end of the novel.
In case you aren’t done with Sunrise on the Reaping yet, we’re here to break down on who Burdock is and how he is connected to the original story.
Burdock’s Backstory in Sunrise on the Reaping, Explained (Spoiler Alert!)
While Suzanne Collins’ latest book doesn’t explicitly say anything about Burdock’s family background, it’s revealed pretty quickly that he was a good friend of Haymitch Abernathy ever since they were kids.
Together, they used to sneak out of District 12 under the fence, which Haymitch continues doing with Lenore Dove who was introduced to him by none other than Burdock.
During the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, he also saved Otho Mellark from the Peacekeepers’ fire, punching him in the knee so that he could get to the ground.
Later, when Haymitch won the Games, Burdock was the first to try to save his friend’s burning house where Haymitch’s mother and brother were at the moment.
After having lost his entire family and girlfriend, Haymitch deliberately refused to talk to Burdock, scared to not survive another heartbreak when Burdock is taken from him too.
How Does Burdock’s Storyline Continue in The Hunger Games?
Burdock Everdeen is none other than Katniss’ father, which in Sunrise on the Reaping’s epilogue is mentioned by Haymitch who recalls holding Katniss when she was little.
After the 50th Hunger Games, Burdock married his longtime girlfriend Asterid with whom, apart from Katniss, he also had another daughter called Primrose.
During the girls’ childhood years, Burdock taught them “The Hanging Tree” song and also helped Katniss master her survival skills in the woods.
Five years prior to the 74th Hunger Games that Katniss won, Burdock was killed in a mine explosion alongside Gale Hawthorne’s father.
