Gregor the Overlander
Chapter 27
by Suzanne, Collins,The chapter begins with Gregor and the Underlanders debating whether to banish Ares, the bat he bonded with during his journey. Despite initial anger and legal arguments, the bond between Gregor and Ares proves too significant to ignore, and Ares vows loyalty to Gregor. The scene shifts to Gregor visiting his father in the hospital, where he finds him recovering and laughing with Boots. Their emotional reunion highlights the relief of being reunited, though both acknowledge their lives will never be the same. Gregor avoids discussing his own hardships, focusing instead on lighter topics to preserve the moment.
Gregor’s father shares his ordeal of being trapped in the Underland, explaining how he survived by tricking the rats into believing he could create weapons. His ingenuity and unwavering hope of returning home kept him alive. Gregor listens intently, cherishing the chance to reconnect. The conversation turns to Gregor’s mother, and though his father worries, Gregor reassures him she will recover once they return. The afternoon is spent in simple joy, with Gregor and his father savoring each other’s presence and playing with Boots, a stark contrast to their recent struggles.
Later, Gregor encounters Vikus, who updates him on the war’s progress, noting the rats are in retreat and Ripred is attempting to unite a faction for peace. Vikus presents Gregor with a jeweled sword belonging to Bartholomew of Sandwich, a gift from the council. Gregor hesitates, reluctant to accept both due to his mother’s disapproval and his aversion to violence. He confesses to Vikus that he doesn’t want to be a warrior but aspires to emulate Vikus’s diplomatic approach to conflict, seeking peaceful resolutions over battle.
Vikus acknowledges Gregor’s perspective and offers him a different gift: the ability to hope. He emphasizes that hope is essential for peace, even in the face of adversity. Gregor’s journey has left him questioning the necessity of violence, and Vikus encourages him to hold onto hope as a guiding principle. The chapter closes with Gregor reflecting on this wisdom, signaling his growth and readiness to embrace a future where peace, though challenging, remains a possibility.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor’s bonding with Ares impact the council’s decision regarding the bat’s banishment, and what does this reveal about Underland society’s values?
Answer:
Gregor’s bonding with Ares carries significant weight in the council’s decision not to banish the bat, overriding legal arguments and anger from some members. This reveals that Underland society values bonds between humans and creatures highly, even above strict interpretations of law. The chapter states, “The fact that Gregor bonded with the bat carried more weight than he had expected,” showing how personal connections can transcend bureaucracy. Vikus’s dismissal of the old man searching for precedents (“Oh, stop rattling your skins”) further emphasizes that some relationships create new social paradigms beyond traditional rules.2. Analyze the significance of Gregor’s father’s survival strategy with the rats and how it contrasts with Gregor’s own experiences in the Underland.
Answer:
Gregor’s father survives by using his wits—convincing the rats he could make weapons while secretly creating faulty ones. This contrasts with Gregor’s more direct confrontations with creatures. His father’s approach highlights adaptability and deception as survival tools, whereas Gregor often relies on bravery and alliances. The father admits, “I spent my time making weapons that I could use, but that fell apart when the rats touched them,” showing strategic thinking. Gregor’s reaction (“I don’t know how you stood it”) underscores their different experiences: the father endured prolonged captivity, while Gregor faced active combat and loss.3. What does Gregor’s refusal of Sandwich’s sword symbolize about his character development and his view of conflict?
Answer:
Gregor’s refusal symbolizes his rejection of the warrior identity and his growing preference for diplomacy over violence. He connects the sword to death (“It had to do with Tick and Treflex and Gox”) and expresses a desire to emulate Vikus’s peaceful problem-solving. His statement, “I don’t want to be a warrior. I want to be like you,” shows his maturation beyond physical combat. Vikus’s response about “hope” reinforces this theme, suggesting Gregor seeks resolution through empathy rather than force. The moment marks a turning point where Gregor consciously chooses peacemaking, despite being capable in battle.4. How does the reunion between Gregor and his father illustrate the theme of resilience, and what role does Boots play in this scene?
Answer:
The reunion showcases resilience through their mutual care and focus on joy despite trauma. Gregor’s father downplays his suffering (“a few square meals, I’ll be as good as new”), while Gregor avoids mentioning his own hardships to protect his dad. Boots lightens the mood with her innocent insistence on feeding cookies (“No, Ge-go, Da-da eat cookie”), symbolizing normalcy and love persisting through adversity. Their physical contact (“reaching out to touch each other”) underscores emotional healing. The scene affirms that resilience isn’t denial of pain but finding strength in connection, as they prioritize being “together” over dwelling on past suffering.5. Vikus speaks about hope as a choice. How does this conversation reflect the broader philosophical conflict in the Underland, and why is it significant for Gregor’s future?
Answer:
Vikus frames hope as an active choice against despair, mirroring the Underland’s divide between war (represented by the rats’ infighting) and peace (Ripred’s faction). His advice—”you must first be able to hope it is possible”—positions hope as foundational to conflict resolution. This is significant for Gregor, who has witnessed cyclical violence; Vikus implies that lasting peace requires mental discipline to envision alternatives. The timing is pivotal: as Gregor rejects the sword, Vikus redirects his energy toward constructive idealism. The lesson prepares Gregor to navigate future challenges without succumbing to bitterness, aligning with his desire to “work things out” nonviolently.
Quotes
1. “While I have flight, I will be here always for you.”
This quote from Ares to Gregor represents the deep bond formed between them, showing loyalty and commitment despite their uncertain future. It marks a turning point where Gregor gains a true ally in the Underland.
2. “I just never stopped believing I’d get home again.”
Gregor’s father shares this powerful statement about perseverance during his captivity. It encapsulates the theme of hope that runs through the chapter and the entire story, showing how belief can sustain people through difficult times.
3. “He would allow himself dreams.”
This simple yet profound statement shows Gregor’s personal growth as he decides to embrace hope rather than pessimism. It represents his rejection of his previous coping mechanism (counting painful days) in favor of a more hopeful outlook.
4. “Perhaps if your father kept it for you, she would allow it.”
Vikus demonstrates his understanding of Gregor’s surface-world family dynamics while trying to honor him with Sandwich’s sword. This shows the cultural bridge Vikus attempts to build between their worlds.
5. “Hope… There are times it will be very hard to find. Times when it will be much easier to choose hate instead. But if you want to find peace, you must first be able to hope it is possible.”
Vikus’s wisdom about hope versus hate serves as the chapter’s philosophical climax. This advice to Gregor encapsulates one of the book’s central themes about the choice between cycles of violence and the harder path of peace.