* The Capitol's cruelty: The Games are a brutal, manufactured spectacle designed to entertain the Capitol's citizens. Rue, a young girl of only 12, was forced to compete in this deadly game against her will. Katniss understands that the Capitol is ultimately responsible for Rue's death because they created the Games in the first place.
* The Capitol's exploitation: The Capitol actively exploits the districts, using the Games to control them and maintain its power. Rue, along with all the other tributes, represents the exploitation of the districts. Their deaths are not simply tragic accidents, but a direct result of the Capitol's cruelty and greed.
* The Capitol's disregard for human life: The Capitol shows no compassion or remorse for the tributes who die in the Games. They treat them as pawns in their entertainment. Katniss sees Rue's death as a symbol of the Capitol's complete disregard for human life, especially the lives of those who are considered "lesser" than them.
* Rue's innocence: Rue is an innocent child who poses no threat to anyone. Her death is especially horrifying because it is so unnecessary and cruel. Katniss's anger and grief stem from the fact that Rue deserved to live, and her death is a direct result of the Capitol's actions.
Katniss's blame of the Capitol for Rue's death is not just a personal reaction but a political statement. It highlights the injustice of the Games and the cruelty of the Capitol. It is a key moment in Katniss's transformation from a reluctant participant to a symbol of rebellion against the Capitol.