Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 17
by Suzanne, Collins,The chapter opens with Gregor witnessing the brutal onslaught of rats attacking humans in Regalia. The rats mercilessly slaughter civilians, many of whom are defenseless, while the Regalian army shifts focus from combat to rescue missions. Ares, Gregor’s bat ally, saves two children just as their mother is killed, delivering them to the High Hall. Despite his severe injuries, Gregor urges Ares to continue helping others, though he himself is in excruciating pain and unable to call for aid. The chaos around him is overwhelming, with the hall filled with wounded survivors and frantic rescuers.
Gregor, convinced he is dying, reflects on the prophecy linking his fate to the Bane, the giant white rat. He believes both are nearing death, as he suffers from a debilitating back injury and the Bane bleeds profusely from its severed tail. The rats’ invasion intensifies, scaling buildings and evading the human army’s counterattacks. Gregor’s thoughts drift to the nibbler refugees in the arena, their safety uncertain. As his vision blurs and pain clouds his mind, he slips into a haze, barely aware of his surroundings until Howard, a familiar face, arrives to help.
Howard and a doctor work to stabilize Gregor, forcing him to endure agonizing breaths to realign his ribs. The process is torturous, but eventually, his ribs snap back into place, relieving the worst of his pain. The doctor confirms no internal damage, and Howard administers pain relief before bandaging Gregor’s wounds. Throughout the ordeal, Gregor’s resilience mirrors Ares’s stubborn determination, as Howard notes his bravery in severing the Bane’s tail despite his injuries. The chapter highlights Gregor’s physical suffering and his unwavering sense of responsibility, even as he teeters on the brink of collapse.
The chapter concludes with Gregor stabilized but still concerned about Ares’s whereabouts and condition. Howard reassures him that Ares continues rescuing others, despite his own injuries. Gregor’s relief at his recovery is tempered by the ongoing battle and the unresolved threat of the Bane. The scene underscores the themes of sacrifice and endurance, as Gregor and his allies persevere amid devastation. The ticking clock metaphor emphasizes the urgency of their struggle, leaving readers anticipating the next phase of the conflict.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor’s physical condition and emotional state evolve throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Gregor begins the chapter in severe pain, convinced he is dying from his injuries after battling the Bane. He experiences excruciating pain in his lower left ribs and struggles to breathe or move. Emotionally, he feels guilt for not killing the Bane and believes Sandwich’s prophecy about his death is coming true. His despair is palpable as he watches the chaos around him. However, after Howard’s medical intervention forces his ribs back into place, Gregor’s physical condition improves significantly. His emotional state also lifts, shown by his relieved laughter and renewed ability to speak. This transformation highlights both his vulnerability and resilience in the face of trauma.2. What role does Ares play in this chapter, and how does his character demonstrate the themes of sacrifice and duty?
Answer:
Ares exemplifies selflessness and duty throughout the chapter. Despite his own injured wing, he prioritizes rescuing civilians over his well-being, saving children from certain death while their mother is killed. His commitment to helping others is evident when he leaves Gregor to save more people, showing his dedication to the greater good. Ares’ actions mirror Gregor’s own warrior ethos, emphasizing the bond between them and their shared sense of responsibility. The chapter underscores that true heroism involves putting others first, even at great personal cost—a theme central to both characters’ arcs.3. Analyze how the setting of Regalia under attack contributes to the chapter’s tension and themes.
Answer:
The chaotic siege of Regalia creates a backdrop of relentless danger and desperation. Rats swarm through the city, slaughtering civilians and forcing the human army to shift from offense to rescue operations. The ornate architecture, normally a symbol of Regalia’s beauty, becomes a liability as rats use carvings to scale buildings and ambush defenders. This setting amplifies the themes of survival and sacrifice, as characters must navigate a collapsing society while clinging to hope. The pervasive violence also mirrors Gregor’s internal struggle, with the physical chaos reflecting his pain and disorientation until order is restored through Howard’s intervention.4. How does Howard’s medical treatment of Gregor reflect broader themes of perseverance and healing in the story?
Answer:
Howard’s treatment is a metaphor for the painful but necessary process of recovery. He forces Gregor to endure agonizing breaths to realign his ribs, symbolizing how growth often requires confronting pain head-on. Howard’s insistence—”Breathe, Gregor! Do it!“—parallels the demands placed on warriors to push through suffering. The eventual relief Gregor feels (“the blinding pain had lifted”) mirrors the cyclical nature of struggle and healing in the narrative. This scene reinforces that healing is not passive but an active, often grueling journey, tying into the novel’s larger themes of resilience in war and trauma.5. What significance does Gregor’s reflection on the Bane’s possible fate add to the chapter’s exploration of mortality?
Answer:
Gregor’s musing that the Bane might also be dying (“watching the final seconds of his life run out”) humanizes his enemy and underscores their intertwined destinies. This moment deepens the chapter’s meditation on mortality by suggesting that both predator and prey share the same fragile existence. The ticking countdown Gregor imagines emphasizes life’s fleeting nature, a theme echoed in the chaos around him. By considering the Bane’s suffering, Gregor moves beyond vengeance to a more nuanced understanding of war’s cost—highlighting that even in conflict, death is a universal equalizer that demands reflection.
Quotes
1. “My fault. I didn’t finish him off,” said Gregor. He struggled to raise himself. “It was not possible,” Ares said. “Lie still!”
This exchange captures Gregor’s guilt over failing to kill the Bane and Ares’ pragmatic reassurance, highlighting their bond and the weight of prophecy in the narrative.
2. “WHEN THE MONSTER’S BLOOD IS SPILLED / WHEN THE WARRIOR HAS BEEN KILLED”
The prophetic couplet represents the chapter’s central tension as Gregor believes both he and the Bane are dying, fulfilling Sandwich’s ominous prediction about their fates.
3. “Gregor could just see over the edge of the low wall that rimmed the balcony. The rats were everywhere now.”
This vivid description underscores the scale of devastation in Regalia, showing the rats’ overwhelming invasion and the humans’ desperate situation.
4. “Breathe, Gregor! Do it!” shouted Howard. “Inhale!”
Howard’s urgent commands during Gregor’s medical crisis demonstrate both the physical trauma Gregor endures and the deep care between characters in the Underland.
5. “I can find no immediate sign of internal damage,” said the doctor. “Give him pain medicine, wrap the ribs, and get him to a bed.”
This clinical assessment marks a turning point where Gregor survives his injuries, contrasting with his earlier certainty of impending death.