Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 10
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor is shocked when Ripred implies that Lizzie, not Boots, is the princess mentioned in the prophecy. Fearing for her safety, Gregor insists on taking Lizzie home immediately, but Ripred blocks their escape, arguing that the rats are guarding all possible exits. Daedalus supports Ripred, revealing that even the laundry room shaft is now dangerous. Gregor realizes sending Lizzie alone is impossible, but Ripred threatens to imprison him if he tries to leave Regalia. Desperate, Gregor protests that Lizzie isn’t the princess, but Ripred counters that her logical mind makes her invaluable to their cause.
Lizzie explains how she solved Ripred’s puzzle, deducing that the rat ate the cheese by process of elimination. Her reasoning stuns Gregor, but he remains focused on getting her home. Ripred, however, manipulates Lizzie by asking if she’d stay if her departure meant the Underlanders’ doom. Lizzie, distressed, agrees to stay, believing it’s her duty. Gregor worries about their sick father, but Ripred promises to send money and instructions to their Overlander ally, Mrs. Cormaci. Nerissa, visibly weakened, confirms Lizzie’s role in the prophecy, solidifying her decision.
Ripred, now cheerful, introduces Lizzie to the code-breaking team, assuring her they share her intellectual quirks. His whispered encouragement about their shyness comforts Lizzie, who struggles with social interactions. Gregor reflects on Lizzie’s only friend, Jedidiah, another socially awkward child, highlighting her isolation. The code-breakers’ relief at her dislike of singing hints at their own peculiarities, making Lizzie feel less alone. Ripred’s tactics shift from intimidation to subtle persuasion, exploiting Lizzie’s empathy and intellect.
Gregor, though resigned to Lizzie staying, remains uneasy. He eats while plotting alternatives, but Ripred’s control over the situation is clear. Lizzie’s willingness to help contrasts with Gregor’s protectiveness, underscoring their differing priorities. The chapter ends with Lizzie tentatively engaging with the code team, her shyness momentarily eased by Ripred’s manipulation. Gregor’s frustration lingers, but the focus shifts to Lizzie’s potential role in deciphering the Code of Claw, setting the stage for her integration into the Underland’s struggle.
FAQs
1. How does Ripred manipulate Lizzie into staying in the Underland, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Ripred employs psychological manipulation by presenting Lizzie with a false dilemma—either stay and potentially save the Underlanders or leave and guarantee their demise. He frames her decision as morally imperative (“if you are the princess in the prophecy and you leave us, none of us stands a chance”), preying on her empathy and sense of responsibility. This reveals Ripred as a strategic and pragmatic character who prioritizes survival over ethics. His willingness to exploit a child’s vulnerability underscores his utilitarian worldview, where ends justify means. The chapter also shows his rare praise for Nerissa, indicating his mood shifts based on tactical advantages rather than emotional consistency.2. Analyze the significance of Lizzie’s puzzle-solving ability in contrast to Gregor’s reaction. What thematic conflict does this highlight?
Answer:
Lizzie’s logical deduction of the puzzle (identifying the rat ate the cheese by process of elimination) demonstrates her analytical mind, which contrasts sharply with Gregor’s emotional, protective instincts (“All I see is I’ve got to get you home”). This highlights the thematic conflict between rationality and emotion, a recurring tension in the narrative. While Lizzie represents intellectual prowess vital for the Code of Claw, Gregor embodies the human impulse to shield loved ones from danger. The disparity also reflects their roles: Lizzie as the “true princess” destined to decipher prophecies, and Gregor as the warrior whose strength lies in action rather than thought.3. How does the chapter develop the motif of names and identity through the “princess” debate?
Answer:
The chapter explores identity through naming rituals, particularly in Ripred’s declaration that Lizzie—not Boots—is the true princess (“IN THE NAMING IS THE CATCHING”). This shifts the prophecy’s interpretation, suggesting titles are fluid and context-dependent. Gregor resists this redefinition (“that’s just some junk the cockroaches made up”), revealing his discomfort with symbolic roles. The motif extends to Nerissa’s formal speech and Lizzie’s friend Jedidiah’s insistence on full names, emphasizing how names confer legitimacy or belonging. The debate underscores a broader theme: identity in the Underland is performative, tied to function (e.g., “princess” as code-breaker) rather than inherent traits.4. Evaluate Ripred’s logistical arguments against Gregor’s plan to send Lizzie home. Which points are most compelling, and why?
Answer:
Ripred’s arguments are tactically sound: he notes rats guard both the laundry shaft (“ambushed at the bottom”) and Central Park (“a patrol posted there”), making escape risky. His critique of Lizzie’s physical limitations (moving the stone, navigating alone) is pragmatic, as is his point about Gregor’s imprisonment if he defies orders. The most compelling point is the impracticality of coordinating with Gregor’s sick father without bat messengers, which exposes a genuine logistical deadlock. While Gregor’s desperation is understandable, Ripred’s assessment aligns with the Underland’s harsh realities—survival often requires sacrificing individual desires for collective security.5. How does Lizzie’s social anxiety and relationship with Jedidiah foreshadow her potential integration into the code-breaking team?
Answer:
Lizzie’s shyness and her bond with Jedidiah—a fellow outsider who shares her intellectual intensity—mirror the code-breakers’ social dynamic. Ripred’s reassurance that the team is “shy” and “think alike” suggests Lizzie will find kinship among them, much as she did with Jedidiah. Her ability to connect with “weird” peers hints at her adaptability in the Underland’s eccentric society. The relief when she says she dislikes singing (contrasting with Boots’ disruptive behavior) further signals her compatibility with the team’s quiet, analytical culture. This foreshadows her role as a bridge between human intellect and Underland traditions, leveraging her outsider status to solve the Code of Claw.
Quotes
1. “‘No! No way, Ripred! You can’t have her!’ He stood up, putting Lizzie on her feet, and then pulled her by the hand toward the door. ‘Come on, Liz, we’ve got to get you home.’”
This quote captures Gregor’s immediate protective instinct for his sister Lizzie when he realizes Ripred believes she is the prophesied princess. It sets up the central conflict of the chapter—Gregor’s desperation to protect Lizzie versus the Underlanders’ need for her help.
2. “‘Lizzie, if you knew that all the humans in the Underland might die if you didn’t help us solve a puzzle, would you stay or go?’”
Ripred’s manipulative question represents the moral dilemma forced upon Lizzie, highlighting how prophecy and duty are used to pressure characters in the Underland. This moment is pivotal as it shifts Lizzie from being a passive character to an active participant in the story.
3. “‘IN THE NAMING IS THE CATCHING,’ said Nerissa suddenly. ‘That is what the line from “The Prophecy of Time” must mean. We had a princess, but not the one with the right name. That was the catch.’”
Nerissa’s revelation about the prophecy’s true meaning represents a key turning point in the narrative, confirming Lizzie’s role in the Code of Claw. This quote demonstrates how prophecies in the Underland often hinge on precise interpretations and wordplay.
4. “‘Because you think alike,’ said Ripred. ‘Oh, by the way, you don’t sing, do you?’ ‘Not much. I don’t like music with words,’ said Lizzie. An audible sigh of relief came from around the room.”
This humorous exchange reveals Lizzie’s intellectual kinship with the code-breakers while subtly showing how her differences from Boots (who loved to sing) make her better suited for this particular prophecy. It lightens the tense mood while advancing character dynamics.
5. “‘You’ll have to be patient with some of them. They’re very shy.’ It was the perfect thing to say to Lizzie, who could be almost crippled by shyness herself.”
This moment shows Ripred’s unexpected understanding of Lizzie’s personality and how he manipulates situations to his advantage. It also foreshadows Lizzie’s potential growth as she connects with the code-breaking team.