Book Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Hunger Games – Prequel 1

Book summary by chapter of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Includes spoilers from the first act to the end of the book. In the shadowed soil of Panem, where power roots itself in ashes, Coriolanus Snow’s rise unfolds like a thorn refusing to wilt. Fed by hunger, manipulation, and blood, his ambition blooms until love becomes a liability and the Capitol’s heights are paved in betrayal. Snow falls, and with it, the chilling certainty of a future ruled by his design.

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray surrounded by burning ruins and mutated snakes in the Coliseum – Chapter-by-chapter Summary - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Introduction – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Capitol was not always a symbol of dominance, nor was Coriolanus Snow always the cold figure of tyranny we later knew. Before dictatorship, there was fear. Hunger. Ruins. And a white rose held by trembling hands, unaware of the weight it would one day carry. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins returns to the ashes of Panem to reveal the moment when cruelty was born from desperation.

Here, prestige is a mask and survival is earned through charm—or betrayal. Lucy Gray Baird, wrapped in a patchwork dress, becomes more than just a tribute: she is a fracture in Coriolanus’s carefully managed persona, a voice that dares to challenge the emerging system. Each chapter unfolds a quiet war between kindness and control, between the ghosts of starvation and the whispered promises of authority.

This is the story before the story. The one that was never televised—but explains why the birds learned to sing, and the snakes learned to wait. To understand how this universe was built from the beginning, don’t miss the main entry: Reading order of The Hunger Games ➤

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Reading Order ➤

Chapter Navigation

• Chapter 1 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Reaping Shirt

• Chapter 5 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Song and Sejanus’s Proposal

• Chapter 10 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Arena Erupts

• Chapter 15 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Sejanus Enters the Arena

• Chapter 20 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Spell

• Chapter 25 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – A Traitor Among Us

• Epilogue Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Height of Snow

Chapter 1 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Reaping Shirt

Coriolanus Snow prepares for the Reaping ceremony while struggling to hide his family’s misery. He lives in a Capitol penthouse, but resources are scarce, and even finding a proper shirt for the event proves challenging. His cousin Tigris, an apprentice seamstress, transforms an old garment into an elegant piece that restores some of his dignity. Although the Snow family was once illustrious, the war has left them on the brink of ruin. The ceremony is crucial, as Coriolanus will be assigned a tribute to mentor in the Hunger Games. On his way to the Academy, he bitterly remembers the days of hunger, the city’s rubble, and his grandmother’s sacrifices. Upon arriving at the event, he maintains his social charm, though internally he is tormented by his situation. He knows that excelling as a mentor is his only hope for the future.

Chapter 2 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray Baird and the Green Snake

Coriolanus is assigned the female tribute from District 12, which he sees as a humiliation. His tribute turns out to be Lucy Gray Baird, a peculiar young woman who appears on stage in a multicolored dress and causes a stir by sliding a snake down the mayor’s daughter’s neck. Though he initially views her as a disadvantage, he soon realizes her charisma and boldness might capture the public’s attention. Lucy sings bravely in front of everyone, using her voice and theatricality to stand out. Meanwhile, Coriolanus faces the silent disdain of Dean Highbottom, who implies his status is merely a facade. Desperate to secure his future, Snow begins to devise how to turn Lucy’s extravagance into his advantage. Though his family has lost nearly everything, Coriolanus clings to the chance of standing out as a mentor and preventing his family name from fading with their decline.

Chapter 3 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Arrival at the Capitol

Coriolanus Snow waits at the station with a white rose for Lucy Gray Baird, his District 12 tribute, hoping to impress her from the start. Influenced by Tigris, he wants Lucy to trust him to shine as a mentor. After a long wait, the train arrives, revealing the tributes in dire conditions, confined in cattle cars. Lucy descends with unusual grace, and after a brief exchange, leaves Coriolanus confused and failing to make a connection. Eager to earn her trust, he boards the cage-truck taking them to their quarters, sharing the stench and misery with the other tributes. There, he suffers an attack from the District 11 boy, which he only repels with a knee to the stomach. The tension eases thanks to Lucy Gray, who defends him, saying she might need his help. Coriolanus realizes that gaining her loyalty will be harder than he thought.

Chapter 4 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Zoo and the White Rose

Coriolanus wakes up trapped in the zoo’s monkey house, in a cage with the tributes under the Capitol’s gaze. Humiliated but determined not to show weakness, he joins Lucy Gray in an improvised performance to turn their presence into a spectacle. She leads with natural charisma, enchanting the audience—especially the children. Their bond grows as he uses every gesture to enhance his image. When reporter Lepidus Malmsey arrives, Lucy seizes the moment, openly claiming her Covey origins, her inherited dress, and her close connection to Coriolanus. He responds with humor, winning public favor. Their act earns national attention and ends with a theatrical exit escorted by Peacekeepers. Although Dean Highbottom reprimands him, Dr. Gaul is impressed by his media instincts. Coriolanus begins to understand the true power of audience perception in the Games.

Chapter 5 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Song and Sejanus’s Proposal

Despite being reprimanded, Coriolanus returns to the zoo to keep the spotlight on Lucy Gray, finding Sejanus Plinth feeding the tributes. He takes the opportunity to elegantly offer Lucy a sandwich, which she gratefully accepts. The gesture reinforces his public image as a caring mentor, while she again shines in front of the cameras with her charm. Later, she sings a melancholic song that moves everyone, including Coriolanus, who remembers his deceased mother. Sejanus, tormented by his past in District 2 and his tribute Marcus, proposes trading tributes, wishing to mentor Lucy instead. Tempted by the easier victory, Coriolanus considers the offer but ultimately decides to keep Lucy—not only because she presents a more appealing challenge, but because he knows Sejanus wants her. He reaffirms his resolve: Lucy Gray will be his key to standing out in the Games.

Chapter 6 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Interviews, Food, and Strategy

Coriolanus refuses to exchange tributes with Sejanus, claiming that Lucy Gray has already bonded with him. Sejanus expresses his moral conflict about the Hunger Games, feeling unable to continue as a mentor. At home, Coriolanus’s grandmother is suspicious of Lucy Gray, but he remains convinced of her sincerity. Tigris prepares bread pudding, which Coriolanus brings as a gift. At the Academy, he earns admiration for his previous boldness, though Satyria reminds him of the risks he took. During class, students debate ways to make the Games more appealing; Coriolanus suggests betting, while Sejanus is outraged by the cruelty of the event. Later, the mentors meet with their tributes in an imposing hall. Lucy Gray and Coriolanus speak candidly; she becomes emotional when tasting the pudding, and they share personal details. He senses a growing connection between them. Before parting, they begin planning how to make the most of the pre-Games interview.

Chapter 7 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Blood, Proposal, and Snakes

During a visit to the zoo, Arachne is brutally killed by her tribute in front of the audience. Coriolanus attempts to help her, becoming a public hero. The tribute is immediately executed, and chaos erupts. Sejanus pays tribute to the deceased girl as the other tributes are lined up. Coriolanus returns home in shock but writes a proposal to improve the Games’ spectacle: allowing bets and food donations. He presents it the next day and learns it will be evaluated by Dr. Gaul. Alongside Clemensia, he is summoned to the Citadel. In a subterranean lab, Dr. Gaul questions them about the proposal’s authorship. Then, she asks them to retrieve the document from a terrarium filled with genetically altered snakes. Although it initially seems safe, Clemensia is attacked for being unfamiliar to the reptiles, revealing the test’s sinister nature. Coriolanus watches impassively, knowing much more is at stake.

Chapter 8 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Consequences of the Poison

Clemensia is attacked by the genetically modified snakes, leaving Coriolanus Snow paralyzed by fear and guilt. Dr. Gaul, indifferent to the girl’s suffering, confirms that Snow wrote the proposal alone and dismisses him with eerie laughter. Coriolanus flees through the lab and witnesses horrors like mutated Avoxes and jabberjays mimicking human cries. Once outside the Citadel, he breaks down emotionally, overwhelmed by fear of Dr. Gaul and the Capitol’s system. He runs to the hospital and is relieved to find Clemensia alive but severely injured. Later, he seeks comfort in Lucy Gray, bringing her hidden food as she reveals the inhumane conditions at the zoo. Amid the chaos, he admits his role in the Games, and she begs him not to abandon her. Their bond strengthens, though their shared fragility leaves them vulnerable to the Capitol’s cruelty.

Chapter 9 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Funeral and the Capitol’s Lies

Back home, Snow confesses what happened to Clemensia to Tigris and fears retaliation from Dr. Gaul. Meanwhile, he agrees to sing the national anthem at Arachne’s funeral. The event, full of pomp and propaganda, transforms his public image. The procession parades the tributes in chains, including Lucy Gray, humiliated before the nation. Dr. Gaul gives a speech glorifying Arachne as a martyr, while Coriolanus witnesses the Capitol’s emotional manipulation. Dean Highbottom confronts him with a metaphor about flowers, questioning his morality. Later, during a televised tour of the arena, Snow manages to pass food to Lucy Gray, who accepts it gratefully, though visibly weakened. Their hands touch in secret, deepening their connection. The arena, now a ruin filled with symbolism, reflects the brutality and decay of the Games. Amid the horror, their bond grows quietly stronger.

Chapter 10 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Arena Erupts

An explosion disrupts the arena tour, plunging Coriolanus into a hellish chaos. Bombs detonate in sequence, and trapped beneath a burning beam, he believes he’s going to die. Lucy Gray, her hands cuffed, hesitates between fleeing and helping him but returns to save him. He clings to her skirt while waiting for help. Later, at the hospital, he watches the aftermath on TV: dead tributes, hospitalized mentors, and Marcus missing. Clemensia visits in a disturbed state, showing signs of mutation that suggest experimentation. Paranoia consumes him. Back at the Academy, he learns many tributes have died. Lucy Gray, still weak, maintains her poise, but their dynamic has shifted: she saved him, and now he’s indebted to her. She demands he believe in her ability to win. The arena, the wounds, and their silent gestures reveal that the Games are no longer a show—they’re a cruel war where dignity barely survives.

Chapter 11 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Ballad

Coriolanus finally admits that he never truly saw Lucy Gray as a potential victor, but rather as a means to serve his own interests. Ashamed of his selfishness, he promises to help her survive. Together, they devise a strategy focused on stealth and winning sponsors. Meanwhile, Dr. Gaul subjects the mentors to provocative war exercises, sparking a heated argument with Sejanus, who rebels and is publicly humiliated. Later, Coriolanus searches for a guitar for Lucy Gray and, after a visit to Pluribus Bell, secures a valuable instrument, which he gives her enthusiastically. Lucy performs at the interview with an emotional ballad that conveys her pain and resilience. Her performance moves the audience and boosts her popularity. Although Coriolanus feels proud, he also experiences jealousy. Nevertheless, his main emotion is the growing connection with her, especially as he watches her win over the Capitol with her voice and authenticity.

Chapter 12 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – What He Loved Most About the War

Coriolanus is affected by Lucy Gray’s success and by what her song reveals: a past with another man. Though he feels betrayed, his attraction to her grows. In private, she explains that the ballad is a message to the Covey, not a love confession. Coriolanus manages to win over Sejanus’s mother and positions himself politically. That night, with Tigris, he recalls rare moments of happiness during the war, such as when the Capitol gifted them a turkey in honor of his fallen father. Inspired, he writes his essay on what he loved about the war, focusing on the power and security it provided. The next day, Dr. Gaul has the students read their essays. Sejanus voices his rejection of war, causing tension. Coriolanus, in contrast, highlights the turkey memory. As the Games draw near, he realizes that what he values most is control over his destiny.

Chapter 13 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Mockingjay Sings

In his final visit, Coriolanus gives Lucy Gray a compact filled with poison residue, sealing a pact of trust. She accepts the gift, touched, promising to survive in order to return it. They embrace in tears and kiss for the first time, strengthening their emotional bond just before being separated. Electrified, Coriolanus returns home determined to keep her alive, believing in her chances. During the opening show, he promotes the Covey story to set her apart from the other tributes. In an unexpected intervention, Dean Highbottom questions the Capitol’s superiority narrative and emphasizes the equality between both sides. As tension rises, Clemensia, visibly affected by the poison, confronts Coriolanus. Finally, during the opening ceremony, the mentors observe the arena. The camera zooms in to reveal Marcus, hanging and tortured, still alive. The image marks a disturbing beginning to the Tenth Hunger Games.

Chapter 14 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Start of the Games and Marcus’s Fall

The Games begin with the shocking image of Marcus, tortured and suspended in the arena as a public punishment. Coriolanus watches in disbelief as Sejanus erupts on live broadcast, throwing a chair and shouting “Monsters!” before fleeing. When the gong finally sounds, the tributes scatter—some into the tunnels, others toward the weapons. Lucy Gray runs to the far edge of the arena, while Reaper arms himself for the hunt. Lamina, from District 7, proves an unexpected contender by climbing a beam and killing Marcus with her axe. Her mentor, Pup, celebrates publicly, attracting sponsors. A drone delivers the first gift but crashes; a second attempt succeeds. As the tributes hide, Dr. Gaul notes that the bombing has expanded the hiding spots. The bored audience is distracted by costumed dogs, while the Capitol waits for more action.

Chapter 15 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Sejanus Enters the Arena

In an unexpected visit, Mrs. Plinth arrives at the Snow residence, frantic over Sejanus’s disappearance. Coriolanus, stunned, tries to reassure her but sees the unthinkable on screen: Sejanus has entered the arena illegally and stands by Marcus’s corpse, leaving bread as a sign of respect. Dr. Gaul contacts Coriolanus and orders him to retrieve Sejanus before the tributes find him. She summons him and Mrs. Plinth to the arena, where she agrees to help. Dr. Gaul instructs Coriolanus to enter disguised and armed only with pepper spray and a blinding flash. As they pass through the bomb-damaged entrance, the arena’s rudimentary security is revealed. With a pass, Coriolanus enters, promising to convince Sejanus. Upon finding him, he tries to reason with him by appealing to his mother, his mission, and the possibility of using the family’s wealth for real change. Sejanus agrees but refuses to leave Marcus behind.

Chapter 16 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Chaos, Blood, and the Birth of Control

While trying to retrieve Marcus’s body, Coriolanus and Sejanus are ambushed by Bobbin, the District 8 tribute. Injured, Coriolanus kills him brutally with a board. They flee as armed tributes pursue them, managing to crawl under the arena gates just in time, though Sejanus is wounded by Tanner. The Peacekeepers do not intervene, and Coriolanus explodes in anger at their inaction. In the Citadel lab, he receives medical care, but his mind is restless—he has killed. Dr. Gaul visits him, revealing that everything was a lesson about true human nature. To her, the Games are pure chaos without control. The trauma leaves a mark: Coriolanus sees his act as a point of no return. The next day, as the Games continue, a new twist is announced: the Plinth family will award a full scholarship to the mentor of the winning tribute. Coriolanus’s goal is now clear—Lucy Gray must win.

Chapter 17 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Jessup’s Sacrifice and Rage in the Arena

Jessup’s illness shocks the Capitol when it’s confirmed he has rabies, triggering panic among viewers and Gamemakers. In the arena, his erratic behavior leads him to chase Lucy Gray, who tries to escape by climbing a ruined structure. Coriolanus and Lysistrata devise a plan: using water bottles to trigger his hydrophobia, causing him to fall to his death. Despite the danger, Lucy Gray approaches to comfort him in his final moments, giving him a dignified death. Her gesture moves everyone, and Lysistrata honors Jessup’s bravery and kindness. After his death, Coriolanus updates his mentor report as attention shifts to Lucy Gray, now a fan favorite. Tension among mentors rises as the competition for the Plinth Prize intensifies with each elimination.

Chapter 18 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Betrayal on the Beam and Snakes in the Mind

Facing eviction, Coriolanus depends on winning the Plinth Prize. Tigris encourages him to focus on the Games, though he’s haunted by the secret of Lucy Gray’s scented handkerchief left in the snake tank. As tributes fall through fragile alliances, Coral and Mizzen betray Tanner after climbing Lamina’s beam. Lamina’s brutal death and a stabbing from behind cement District 4’s ruthless image. Reaper collects the bodies and honors them, disturbing many by wrapping them in the national flag. At night, Coriolanus visits the Plinth family hoping for a reward but receives only kind words and cake. Back home, he writes an essay on chaos, control, and the social contract, reflecting on how the Capitol enforces order. Dreaming of Lucy Gray among snakes, he fears what lies ahead, unsure if the handkerchief will save her—or seal her fate.

Chapter 19 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Song and the Wrath of the Snakes

After secretly tossing the handkerchief, Coriolanus flees, disturbed by his actions. He convinces himself that if the snakes don’t enter the arena, no one will suspect him. But inspired by Lucy Gray, Dr. Gaul releases the snakes as punishment for Gaius’s death. The scene is terrifying: the reptiles kill several tributes, including Circ and Coral. As chaos erupts, Lucy Gray emerges from a tunnel singing. Her voice seems to calm the snakes, which gather around her without attacking. It’s a mesmerizing image—surrounded by deadly creatures, her only defense is song. Coriolanus watches with bated breath, relieved to see his plan seemingly work. Yet the tension is unbearable—any mistake could cost Lucy Gray her life. The arena becomes a mystical battlefield, where music faces chaos, and Coriolanus’s strategy begins to show its power.

Chapter 20 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Spell

Lucy Gray hypnotizes the snakes with a crystal-clear song, drawing them close peacefully and luring them away from the other tributes. Coriolanus realizes her scent was used to condition the snakes—but he never warned her. As she sings, she becomes the focal point. Teslee, injured, uses the distraction to escape. The song calms not only the animals but the audience as well. Afterward, debates arise over whether the scene was manipulated, but Dr. Gaul shifts focus by honoring Gaius Breen. Festus and Io are eliminated, and the remaining mentors start planning new strategies. Lucy Gray survives a stormy night among the snakes, while Coriolanus mends his relationship with Clemensia. The next day, Teslee launches a drone attack that accidentally kills Mizzen. Treech responds with ruthless speed, killing Teslee and leaving only Lucy Gray, Reaper, and Treech as the final three tributes.

Chapter 21 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Final Game

Lucy Gray lures Treech with a clever ruse while hiding a pink snake among her clothes. Pretending to be vulnerable, she gets him to lower his guard, and the snake delivers a fatal bite. With Treech dead and Reaper weakened by heat and hunger, Lucy becomes the only tribute in full form. Coriolanus watches each move with growing hope. Reaper, on the verge of collapse, tries to chase Lucy but succumbs to what seems to be heatstroke. Lucy covers him with a flag in farewell, and the Gamemakers declare her the winner. Heavensbee Hall erupts in celebration, and Coriolanus, euphoric, is lifted onto a chair amid cheers. Still intoxicated by success, he is secretly taken by Satyria to the lab, where Dean Highbottom confronts him with evidence of his cheating: the handkerchief used in the arena bore his father’s initials. Forced to accept his fate, Coriolanus enlists as a Peacekeeper, losing everything but his silent pride.

Chapter 22 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Sejanus’s Return

Coriolanus arrives as a recruit in District 12, devastated and resigned, finding his surroundings miserable and stifling. Assigned to the barracks, he settles into a grueling routine of training, cleaning, and kitchen duties. While coping with the humiliation of his downfall, he receives a hopeful letter from Tigris. When he feels all is lost, Sejanus unexpectedly appears, revealing he used his influence to ensure both of them graduated. Coriolanus regains his diploma and with it, a spark of hope. As they train together and grow familiar with weapons, they plan to visit the Burned, where a mysterious singer named Lucy is performing. Sejanus lifts his spirits, and they dream of rebuilding their lives. With the revival of the Games as a dark legacy and Gaul’s words echoing in his mind, Coriolanus begins to understand the system’s cruelty. Though he lives in fear and bitterness, the idea of seeing Lucy Gray again keeps him going.

Chapter 23 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Song of the Mockingjays

Coriolanus witnesses the chaos sparked by the mockingjays’ song, mimicking Arlo’s death screams and frightening the recruits. Despite the Peacekeepers’ efforts to restore order, Sejanus is deeply affected by Lil’s hanging, torn by moral conflict. Coriolanus, on the other hand, focuses on asserting control, suggesting that shooting the mockingjays could be good target practice. Later, he finds a letter from Pluribus Bell revealing an old conflict between his father and Dean Highbottom. That night, they attend the Hob, where Lucy Gray returns to the stage, lighting up the venue with her song. The reunion is emotional, but it’s abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Billy Taupe, her former lover, and Mayfair, causing a fight. Coriolanus barely escapes the chaos, frustrated at not being able to get close to Lucy Gray as he had hoped.

Chapter 24 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Map on the Ground

Tension rises when Billy Taupe tries to approach Lucy Gray, but the Covey rejects him. Maude Ivory and Barb Azure defend their cousin firmly, and things escalate when Peacekeepers intervene. A brawl breaks out, turning the Hob into chaos and forcing the crowd to scatter. Back at the base, Coriolanus and Sejanus are ordered to escort Mayfair home, where Coriolanus finds Billy hiding in the bushes, clutching his keyboard and looking threatening. Though hesitant, he chooses not to report him. The next day, Sejanus leads Coriolanus to the Seam, where they meet Maude Ivory and eventually find Lucy Gray in a meadow. Their reunion is intimate and tender. They kiss, share confessions about the Games, and seal their emotional bond. Lucy reveals that Dean Highbottom secretly gave her money, planting seeds of doubt in Coriolanus about the dean’s motives. Everything feels idyllic—until Billy Taupe reappears.

Chapter 25 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – A Traitor Among Us

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray confront Billy Taupe, who makes insinuations about her past, sparking a confrontation. Lucy bites him to escape, and Billy leaves issuing threats. Later, Coriolanus discovers Sejanus speaking with Billy, who is drawing a map of the base. Sejanus downplays it but admits he wants to help contact the prisoner Lil. Alarmed, Coriolanus tries to persuade him to abandon the plan, fearing accusations of treason. Sejanus, however, feels morally compelled. Back at the base, Coriolanus secretly checks Sejanus’s locker and finds a large sum of money hidden inside, increasing his suspicions. On Saturday, he prepares for his officer exam while battling growing fear that his friendship with Sejanus might ruin him. He sends a letter to Dr. Gaul, reflecting on human nature—perhaps seeking redemption or reconnection with his former mentor.

Chapter 26 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Mockingjay Project

Coriolanus receives good news: he is promoted to less unpleasant kitchen duties and reassigned to work with scientists managing jabberjays. During a forest outing, he meets Dr. Kay, creator of the bird surveillance project used during the war. She shows him how jabberjays record human voices via inaudible commands and how, when mixed with mockingbirds, they produced a new species—the mockingjays. Though scientifically fascinating, Coriolanus feels an instinctive aversion to them. Lucy Gray, on the other hand, is saddened to learn the birds will be studied, fearing they’ll lose their freedom. At the Hob, Coriolanus brings candy to Maude Ivory and takes the opportunity to see Lucy Gray. Though the conversation grows tense, she invites him on a lake outing. Coriolanus agrees, determined to stay close to Sejanus, who is increasingly suspected of contact with rebels.

Chapter 27 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Day at the Lake

Coriolanus and Sejanus join the Covey on a secret excursion to the lake. The journey through the dense forest is filled with songs, mockingjays, and games. Lucy Gray and Coriolanus reconcile, sharing a moment of intimacy by the fire, where they debate the Capitol, freedom, and the Hunger Games. While Coriolanus tries to defend the order Panem represents, Lucy reminds him of her family’s suffering. In the afternoon, they fish, gather berries, and share a simple meal. Maude Ivory explains how their names come from ballads and colors, revealing Lucy Gray’s uniqueness as the only one named after her full song. At day’s end, just as everything seems perfect, Lucy confesses that Billy Taupe wants her to flee north with him. Though she says she no longer trusts him, Coriolanus grows uneasy, fearing he might still lose her—and that Billy remains a threat.

Chapter 28 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Sejanus’s Confession

Sejanus confides in Coriolanus about his plan to free Lil and escape north with the rebels. Pretending to listen, Coriolanus secretly records his confession using a jabberjay. Soon after, they visit the Hob, where Coriolanus follows Sejanus and sees him handing weapons to Spruce and Billy Taupe. Suddenly, Mayfair appears and threatens to expose them. In a split-second reaction, Coriolanus grabs a rifle and shoots her. Billy tries to help, and Spruce kills him. Coriolanus forces Lucy Gray back onstage to secure his alibi. The next day, the authorities find the bodies, and an investigation begins. A devastated Sejanus swears to stay silent. Coriolanus reflects on the killing, justifying it as self-defense. Days later, Sejanus is arrested. Spruce dies from his injuries. Coriolanus’s worst fear is confirmed: Sejanus will be hanged for treason, and Coriolanus must watch—knowing he caused it.

Chapter 29 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Last Goodbye to Sejanus

Coriolanus returns to base after Sejanus’s execution, hiding his emotions while privately consumed by guilt. He locks himself in his room, tormented by memories and convinced his fate is sealed. He sorts through Sejanus’s belongings, eats a cookie, and, overcome with emotion, breaks down in tears. He decides to send money to Tigris and a keepsake to Lucy Gray. That night, during Commander Hoff’s birthday celebration, the Covey performs, and Lucy Gray dedicates an emotional song to Coriolanus, reaffirming her love and trust. Moved to tears, he secretly meets with her, and faced with imminent danger, they agree to flee at dawn. As he reviews their escape plan, he’s summoned to Hoff’s office. Instead of being arrested, he is congratulated—he’s been selected to attend the prestigious Officer Training Academy in District 2.

Chapter 30 Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Lucy Gray’s Disappearance

Despite the honor, Coriolanus decides to flee with Lucy Gray, fearing discovery of the murder weapon linking him to the crime. They enter the forest with supplies, heading north, but idealism clashes with the harsh wilderness and their precarious survival. At a cabin by the lake, Coriolanus finds the hidden weapons and realizes he could destroy all the evidence. Choosing to return to the Capitol, he understands Lucy Gray is the only loose end. She suspiciously disappears, and when he follows her tracks, he’s ambushed by a snake. Believing she betrayed him, he tries to kill her, but Lucy Gray vanishes into the trees and mockingjays. Coriolanus destroys the murder weapon and returns to base, lying about the snakebite. Later, he’s taken to the Capitol, fearing the worst, but Dr. Gaul reveals everything was part of a plan to shape him—he will now study at the University. Lucy Gray vanishes, becoming a distant echo.

Epilogue Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The Height of Snow

On a sunny October afternoon, Coriolanus Snow gracefully descends the steps of the Science Center, dressed in a flawless suit and surrounded by the admiration of his peers. Now established as the Plinth heir and a distinguished university student, he works alongside Dr. Gaul on new strategies for the Hunger Games. His proposals—such as rewarding the district of the winning tribute and creating the Victor’s Village—cement his rising power. Before a dinner with the Plinths in Sejanus’s memory, Snow visits Dean Highbottom to retrieve his mother’s contract and dispose of the traitor’s diploma. Highbottom reveals that the Hunger Games were Crassus Snow’s idea, betraying his trust. Coriolanus concludes that human chaos is inevitable. With cunning, he poisons the dean’s morphine with rat poison. He reflects on Lucy Gray, whose fate remains unknown, and vows never to love again. One day, all of Panem will understand what he already knows: Snow always lands on top.

Conclusion – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Nothing is more dangerous than a young man afraid of being forgotten. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes does not just tell Coriolanus Snow’s origin—it unveils the Capitol’s early experiments in turning control into spectacle. In this full chapter-by-chapter summary, rise and fall collide in a world where emotional manipulation reigns, where symbols are crafted to distract, and songs attempt to outlive silence.

Lucy Gray doesn’t vanish: she becomes an echo, a myth, a scar that never quite fades. And Coriolanus doesn’t transform: he simply reveals his true self. This story is not just a prequel—it’s a warning. Every scene, every betrayal, every snake unleashed in the arena reminds us that Panem’s history is written in fractured melodies and manufactured order.

But the dawn does not wait for those who hide. And somewhere in the North, another Reaping is coming… You can follow this story in the next chapter-by-chapter summary: Sunrise on the Reaping – Book Summary by Chapter ➤

FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

What does Lucy Gray Baird represent in the origin of the Hunger Games?

Lucy Gray is more than just a tribute from District 12—she’s the emotional rupture in Coriolanus Snow’s mask. Through her singing, defiance, and humanity, she exposes the Capitol’s cruelty as spectacle. She doesn’t just challenge the Games—she redefines what rebellion looks like. Her presence marks the beginning of charisma being weaponized as a tool for resistance in Panem.

Why is the relationship between Coriolanus Snow and Sejanus Plinth so central to Snow’s transformation?

Sejanus serves as a moral mirror for Snow, and their friendship reveals the exact moment when Coriolanus chooses power over loyalty. By betraying Sejanus, he silences the last voice of empathy around him and solidifies his path toward control and cold pragmatism. This turning point shows that for Snow, betrayal becomes not just a necessity, but a strategic ideology.

How did snakes become part of the Hunger Games, and what role did Snow play in that?

Snakes were introduced by Dr. Gaul as a tool of terror, but Snow weaponizes them for his own ends. His secret act of scenting Lucy Gray’s handkerchief and placing it with the snakes is the first sign of his willingness to manipulate biology and trust alike. It marks the origin of his twisted genius—where strategy overrides empathy in the name of survival.

What really happens to Lucy Gray Baird at the end of the novel?

The novel leaves Lucy Gray’s fate deliberately ambiguous. Whether she dies or escapes is never confirmed, making her a haunting legend rather than a resolved character. Her vanishing into the forest, surrounded by mockingjays, turns her into a myth—a symbol of mystery and defiance that echoes throughout Panem’s future resistance.

How does Dr. Gaul shape the future President Snow?

Dr. Gaul is the ideological sculptor of Coriolanus Snow. Through cruelty disguised as education, she indoctrinates him with a worldview where chaos must be feared and order maintained at any cost. Her tests, manipulations, and brutal philosophy teach Snow that to rule Panem, he must embrace the darkness and turn control into doctrine.