When I suggested in class that Finnick was a shapeshifter it brought up some controversy with Matt. I really love this character because I think that even though he is a secondary character, he is also a very strong character who develops a lot during the books.
When Finnick is first introduced to Katniss he was the beautiful boy who won his hunger games simply because he was so beautiful he gained many sponsors. He was known as a flirt, and Katniss unconsciously decided not to like him. Her first encounter with him does nothing to prove her judgement wrong, but when he offers her help in the arena she accepts because she knows that Haymitch believes he is good.
When he is in the arena he doesn't attempt to keep up a reputation, or act as he did before. he knows it is life and death, and he puts himself in danger to protect Katniss and Peeta. One of the first times I really realized he was more than his act was when his good friend died and he stayed up crying. Finnick Odair was known as anything but sentimental ,and this was not the kind of reaction I expected, I expected more acting to hide his pain.
Then one of the traps in the arena is to spend an hour trapped in a bit of forest listening to mockingbirds mimick the screams of those you love. He was driven nearly insane by the scream of the girl he loved, Annie. I think that this shocked Katniss, because Finnick was a plaything for the capitol. Detatched and flirty, he wasnt someone who loved. The girl, Annie was a competetor in the previous hunger games who had been driven insane in the arena. She was clinically crazy, barely anything that she said made sense, but he loved her, and that gained immense amounts of respect, and realization that he had depth, to Katniss.
I believe that Finnick is a shapeshifter because at first Katniss and Peeta didnt think that they could trust him, but they then realized they could. Finnick is not the actual one shifting, it's their perception of him, so yes, it is debatable. I also think that Finnick himself shifts a little because he once was a part of his act, and I think that he dropped all pretenses of being someone he isn't in the arena because he realized what was important. I also think that Finnick is partially mentor because he is who looks after Peeta and Katniss in the arena, and tells them what to do, as the adult (or well, 22-ish year old) in the situation.
""I'll watch for a while."
"No Katniss I'd rather." Says Finnick. I look in his eyes., at his face, and realize he's barry holding back tears. Mags. The lest I can do is give him privacy to mourn her.
"All right, Finnick, thanks," I say. I lie down on the sand with Peeta, who drifts off at once. I stare into the night, thinking of what a difference one day can make. How yesterday morning Finnick was on my kill list, and now I'm wiling to sleep with him on guard. He saved Peeta and let Mags die and I don't know why. Only that I can never settle the balance owed between us. All I can do is go to sleep and let him grieve in peace. And so I do."
