Bug Character Analysis in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Bug is one of Coriolanus’s bunkmates and a fellow Peacekeeper in District 12. He’s a kind, quiet boy from the districts. He comes from a district where children help in fruit orchards, so when Dr. Kay brings a group of scientists to District 12 to capture jabberjays and mockingjays, Bug proves adept at climbing trees to set traps. Though he helps Coriolanus care for the birds in the makeshift aviary back at the base, he doesn’t think playing with the jabberjays is ethical.

Bug Character Timeline in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The timeline below shows where the character Bug appears in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...soaked. He and a recruit named Junius find their bunks. Soon, their bunkmates, Smiley and Bug, lead the newcomers to the mess hall. The food is surprisingly edible—and Coriolanus realizes he’ll... (full context)

...she believes, proves this. Soon after, Beanpole comes in, followed soon after by Smiley and Bug. Smiley has news that there’s going to be a band at the Hob, the local... (full context)

...and retrieve the birds in a few days. Coriolanus ends up in a group with Bug, who worked in orchards as a kid. Thankfully, Dr. Kay ignores Coriolanus. Tuesday proceeds as... (full context)

...truck drops the recruits at the hanging tree, Coriolanus finds himself in a group with Bug and Dr. Kay. Dr. Kay knows exactly who Coriolanus is and asks how he’s liking... (full context)

After Bug brings a caged jabberjay down from a tree and runs back up another tree with... (full context)

Back at the base, Coriolanus and Bug help unload the birds into an old hangar and agree to care for the birds.... (full context)

By Wednesday, Dr. Kay has enough birds to be happy. Coriolanus and Bug prepare the birds for their trip to the Capitol. Coriolanus gets through the mockingjays and... (full context)

Propaganda, Spectacle, and Morality Theme Icon

...went. At this, Coriolanus presses the “neutral” button on the remote. The jabberjay sings as Bug returns to the hangar to take the bird to the hovercraft. (full context)

While Bug is outside again, Coriolanus points out all the ways Sejanus’s plan might fail. Sejanus notes... (full context)

Smiley, Bug, and Beanpole are excited to head to the Hob. Coriolanus is less excited, but he... (full context)

...a nurse tells Smiley that Spruce died. At lunch, military police arrest Sejanus. Smiley, Beanpole, Bug, and Coriolanus confront the sergeant during target practice and insist Sejanus wasn’t involved in the... (full context)

Over dinner, Coriolanus tells Bug, Beanpole, and Smiley about the hanging. Coriolanus sleeps well that night and joins in on... (full context)