Here's why:
* Survival: Katniss's life in District 12 is marked by poverty and scarcity. Kindness is a luxury she cannot afford. She has learned to be tough, resourceful, and self-reliant to survive. Trusting someone is a weakness that could lead to vulnerability.
* Loss and Betrayal: She has witnessed the cruelty of the Capitol and the brutality of the Hunger Games, which force children to kill each other. She has lost her father and experienced betrayal from those she once considered friends. These experiences have made her wary of genuine human connection.
* Fear of Losing Control: Showing kindness can make her vulnerable and give others power over her. This is especially true in the Games, where alliances can be fleeting and betrayal is commonplace.
* Protecting Her Loved Ones: She sees kindness as a way of exposing herself and her loved ones to danger. She is fiercely protective of her sister Prim, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means appearing cold and distant.
* The Capitol's Manipulation: The Capitol uses kindness as a tool of control. They shower tributes with gifts and attention, only to ultimately manipulate and exploit them for their own entertainment. Katniss distrusts any show of kindness that might be a façade.
It's important to note that Katniss does show kindness, but often in subtle and calculated ways. She cares deeply for her loved ones, but she has learned to hide her vulnerability to protect them.
Her perception of kindness as an enemy is a defense mechanism rooted in trauma, but it also reflects the bleak reality of her world.