1. To establish a sense of hierarchy and competition: The scores create a clear ranking system among the tributes, emphasizing the cutthroat nature of the Games. Higher scores indicate perceived strength and potential, fueling the anticipation and drama surrounding the event. It also establishes a hierarchy within the tributes, creating an unspoken "pecking order" which can influence alliances and strategies.
2. To influence sponsorship: The scores serve as a tool for potential sponsors to gauge the worth of a tribute. Higher scores make a tribute more attractive to sponsors, who can then provide valuable resources like food, weapons, and medical supplies during the Games. These resources can significantly increase a tribute's chances of survival.
In the case of Katniss and Peeta, they receive contrasting scores:
* Katniss: She scores a 7, a relatively low score, reflecting the Gamemakers' perception of her as a "typical" hunter from District 12, lacking the sophisticated skills and grace of the tributes from wealthier districts.
* Peeta: He scores an 11, the highest score given during that reaping. This score highlights his "charming" and "sensitive" personality and his baking skills, which are seen as useful for potential sponsors.
These contrasting scores highlight the different expectations the Gamemakers have for them. Katniss is seen as a potential threat due to her hunting skills, but lacks the social graces and "showmanship" to attract sponsors. Peeta, on the other hand, is presented as a potential "star" of the Games, someone who can be manipulated to entertain the audience and attract sponsors.
Ultimately, the scores given to the tributes are part of a larger game played by the Capitol to exploit and entertain. While the scores might seem like objective measures of ability, they are ultimately manipulated to serve the Capitol's twisted agenda and contribute to the drama and spectacle of the Hunger Games.