Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Chapter 27
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 27, Gregor is reunited with his younger sister, Boots, who arrives in the Underland accompanied by cockroaches but without their friend Temp or Queen Luxa and her bat, Aurora. Boots recounts fragments of her adventure, mentioning a “flutterfly” ride and swimming, but her scattered descriptions leave Gregor confused. The cockroach Pend explains that Temp, weakened and unable to travel, had urged a moth to take Boots to safety while he remained behind. Vikus, desperate for news of Luxa, questions Pend but learns little beyond that Luxa and Aurora faced a rat attack. Gregor clings to hope, but the uncertainty weighs heavily on them both.
Gregor pieces together clues from Boots’s vague recollections, theorizing that Luxa and Temp might have escaped the Tankard through a submerged tunnel. Boots mentions a “baby pool” and bumping her head, hinting at a narrow, water-filled passage. She also references Twitchtip, the rat with a bandaged nose, suggesting the group encountered her before being separated. Gregor speculates that Luxa may have stayed behind to fight the rats or was captured, though the latter possibility is grim. Vikus, though visibly distressed, acknowledges the lack of certainty but clings to Gregor’s reminder of hope.
Vikus insists Gregor and Boots return home, recognizing the dangers of staying in the Underland. He provides Gregor with medicine for his father, a gesture of gratitude and goodwill. As they prepare to leave, Gregor exchanges farewells with Howard, Andromeda, and Nerissa, who gives him a scroll of the prophecy. Vikus’s gifts—a flashlight, a package, and the medicine—underscore the bond between them. Despite his worries for Luxa and the others, Gregor accepts the necessity of departing, though he promises to return if needed.
The chapter ends with Gregor and Boots boarding Ares for their journey home, leaving the fate of Luxa, Aurora, and Temp unresolved. Gregor’s internal conflict mirrors Vikus’s grief, but both choose to hold onto hope. Boots’s innocence contrasts with the gravity of their situation, as her cheerful excitement about returning home provides a bittersweet counterpoint. The chapter underscores themes of loyalty, loss, and the resilience of hope amid uncertainty.
FAQs
1. What key events led to Boots being separated from Luxa, Aurora, and Temp, and how was she eventually returned?
Answer:
The separation occurred after the group was attacked by serpents (dinosaurs) in the Tankard, causing Luxa to catch Boots and Temp while being knocked off their bat. They likely escaped through a partially submerged tunnel that later flooded, trapping them in the Labyrinth. Boots mentions swimming in cold water and bumping her head, suggesting they were in a flooded area. Temp, weakened, begged a moth (allied with the roaches) to take Boots to safety while he stayed behind. The roaches later found Boots with the moth but could not locate Temp or the others. Boots was returned to Gregor by the roaches, specifically Pend, while Luxa and Aurora’s fate remains unknown.2. How does Gregor piece together the possible fate of Luxa, Aurora, and Temp based on Boots’s fragmented statements?
Answer:
Gregor uses Boots’s clues—like swimming in cold water, bumping her head, and mentioning a “baby pool”—to deduce they entered a flooded tunnel. He recalls the life jackets and the half-submerged tunnel Twitchtip had guided them toward earlier. Boots’s mention of a “bandidge” (bandage) and saying “ow” about her nose helps Gregor realize Twitchtip found them, possibly leading to a rat attack. Boots’s statement that Temp gave her a “fast ride” suggests Temp fled with her while Luxa and Aurora stayed to fight. Gregor theorizes they may have been captured or killed by rats, though he clings to hope they might be prisoners like his father was.3. Analyze Vikus’s emotional state and his decision to send Gregor and Boots home. What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Vikus is visibly distraught, as shown when the color drains from his face upon learning only Boots returned. He clings to hope when Gregor reminds him of the gift of “hope” from their last meeting, but his tears reveal his grief. Pragmatically, he insists Gregor and Boots leave because searching for Luxa could take months, and Gregor risks execution if Nerissa’s verdict is reversed. This shows Vikus’s balance of compassion (protecting Gregor) and leadership (accepting uncertainty). His gifts—medicine for Gregor’s father and the prophecy scroll—highlight his nurturing side, even in despair.4. Why is Boots’s mention of the “bandidge” and her refusal to touch it significant to the plot?
Answer:
Boots’s reference to the “bandidge” (bandage) and saying “ow” about her nose confirms Twitchtip’s involvement, as Twitchtip had a wounded nose. This clue helps Gregor deduce that Twitchtip either found Luxa’s group or was captured with them. The rats’ presence (“many gnawers,” per Pend) suggests an attack, and Luxa likely ordered Temp to flee with Boots while she and Aurora fought. This moment is critical because it shifts the narrative from uncertainty to a clearer (though grim) possibility: the group was either overrun by rats or taken prisoner, setting up future rescue or conflict.5. How does Gregor demonstrate growth in this chapter, particularly in his interactions with Vikus and Boots?
Answer:
Gregor shows maturity by carefully questioning Boots to reconstruct events, using patience to interpret her toddler speech. He comforts Vikus by reaffirming hope, displaying empathy for his grief. His protective instinct for Boots—reluctantly handing her to Dulcet only because he trusts her—shows his deepened responsibility. He also thinks strategically, asking Howard to send updates and planning to return if needed. Unlike earlier impulsiveness, he accepts Vikus’s rationale for leaving, balancing his desire to help with practical risks. This reflects his growth into a more thoughtful and resilient leader.
Quotes
1. “‘Where’s Temp?’ he asked, and six pairs of antennas drooped. ‘We do not know, not we,’ said one of the roaches. ‘I be Pend, I be.’”
This moment captures Gregor’s growing awareness of loss and separation in the Underland. The drooping antennas and the roach’s broken speech underscore the emotional weight of Temp’s disappearance, setting the tone for the chapter’s themes of uncertainty and absence.
2. “‘Hope,’ whispered Vikus. ‘Yeah. Don’t give that up yet, okay?’ said Gregor.”
A pivotal exchange where Gregor returns Vikus’s own gift of hope to him. This represents both a role reversal in their relationship and the chapter’s central message about clinging to hope even in dire circumstances, as they face the possible loss of Luxa and others.
3. “‘If they are dead, there is nothing any of us can do. If they are held prisoner, it will likely be months before we can locate them.’”
Vikus’s sober assessment represents the harsh realities of their situation. This quote captures the chapter’s tension between hope and pragmatism, as the characters must balance their desire to search with practical considerations about time and danger.
4. “‘Give my best to Mareth,’ Gregor said to Andromeda. ‘Yes, Overlander. He would wish you well also,’ said the bat.”
This brief exchange during their departure highlights Gregor’s growing connections in the Underland. The formal yet warm farewell represents how Gregor has become woven into this world’s relationships, even as he prepares to return home.