Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 20
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 20, Ripred takes charge of the code team’s safety as the threat of rat invasion looms. He orders the group to split up: Min, Reflex, and Luxa head to the war room; Lizzie, Daedalus, and Heronian remain to destroy evidence; and Gregor, Hazard, Boots, and Temp are sent to the prophecy room with Nerissa. Gregor protests, wanting to join the fight, but Ripred insists he’s unfit for battle due to his injuries. The group reluctantly follows orders, with Gregor worrying about Lizzie’s exposure to the truth of the “Prophecy of Time.” The chapter highlights the tension between duty and personal concern as the characters prepare for imminent danger.
Gregor and his group reach the prophecy room, where Nerissa locks them in for protection. Though the wooden door offers some security, Gregor doubts its effectiveness against a determined attack. With limited defenses—Nerissa’s lack of combat skills, the children’s vulnerability, and Temp’s limited strength—Gregor focuses on recovering his strength. Days pass in isolation, with only distant sounds of conflict hinting at the outside chaos. Gregor grows increasingly restless, but Nerissa insists he wait, emphasizing that this is not his battle yet. Her cryptic faith in a future “Peacemaker” contrasts with Gregor’s frustration and desire for action.
Nerissa tries to distract Gregor by sharing prophecies, particularly “The Peacemaker,” a poem she finds comforting. Gregor dismisses it as another vague prediction by Sandwich, the discredited prophet. However, he recalls a past conversation where Solovet and Vikus debated his role as “the warrior,” contrasting it with the elusive “peacemaker.” This sparks a fleeting curiosity, but Gregor remains focused on the present crisis. He resolves to steal Nerissa’s key to peek outside, convinced he’s recovered enough to defend the group if necessary. The chapter underscores Gregor’s impatience and the claustrophobic tension of their confinement.
As night falls, Gregor seizes his chance when Nerissa and the others sleep. He quietly retrieves the key, determined to assess the situation outside. Just as he’s about to unlock the door, distant shouts and footsteps interrupt him, leaving the outcome unresolved. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, emphasizing the uncertainty and danger surrounding the characters. Gregor’s internal conflict—between obedience and the urge to act—mirrors the larger themes of fate and free will woven throughout the story.
FAQs
1. What strategic considerations does Ripred make when splitting up the code team, and what does this reveal about his leadership style?
Answer:
Ripred’s decision to split the code team demonstrates his tactical foresight and protective instincts. He disperses members to minimize risk—placing Min, Reflex, and Luxa in the war room for strategic coordination; keeping Lizzie, Daedalus, and Heronian to destroy code evidence; and sending Gregor’s group to the fortified prophecy room. This reflects his leadership style: pragmatic (prioritizing Gregor’s recovery for the Bane fight), secretive (shielding Lizzie from the prophecy’s truth), and adaptable (using available resources like food carts and bats for evacuation). His command—”Move out!“—underscores urgency and authority, showing he balances care for individuals with wartime pragmatism.2. How does Gregor’s physical condition shape his role in the conflict, and what internal conflict does this create for him?
Answer:
Gregor’s severe back injury renders him temporarily unfit for combat, forcing him to rely on others (e.g., Hazard pushing the cart) and accept a passive role—contrasting his identity as the warrior. Ripred insists Gregor must heal to fight the Bane, heightening his frustration. The chapter highlights his internal struggle: he worries about defending his group if attacked (noting Nerissa’s lack of combat skills) and chafes at confinement, yet obeys Howard’s advice to rest. His eventual plan to steal the key reveals his desperation to regain agency, showing how physical limitation exacerbates his anxiety about the unseen battle.3. Analyze the significance of the poem “The Peacemaker” and its connection to Gregor’s earlier experiences in Regalia.
Answer:
The poem foreshadows an enigmatic figure who will bring peace, contrasting with Gregor’s role as the warrior. Nerissa finds solace in its promise, while Gregor dismisses it, reflecting his disillusionment with Sandwich’s prophecies. The title triggers Gregor’s memory of Solovet’s argument with Vikus—where she emphasized his warrior role, not peacemaker. This duality underscores the story’s tension between violence and reconciliation. Gregor’s rejection (“It’s not me”) hints at his fatalistic view of his fate, while Nerissa’s faith suggests hope beyond the current war, adding thematic depth about cycles of conflict and redemption.4. How does the chapter portray the theme of secrecy, and what are its potential consequences?
Answer:
Secrecy drives key actions: Ripred hides the Prophecy of Time’s truth from Lizzie, fearing its emotional impact, and Nerissa refuses updates about the war, insisting Gregor “wait.” This creates tension—Gregor’s ignorance fuels his anxiety, while Lizzie’s exclusion risks future betrayal if she discovers the truth. The locked prophecy room symbolizes isolation, both protective and stifling. However, secrecy also preserves morale (e.g., Nerissa’s hope in the poem). The chapter questions whether withholding information is prudent (as Ripred believes) or harmful, as Gregor’s desperation to “peek” outside suggests transparency might build trust.5. Evaluate the symbolism of the prophecy room’s door and its implications for Gregor’s mindset.
Answer:
The wooden door represents fragile safety—a barrier against rats but easily breached by diggers, mirroring Gregor’s precarious mental state. He calculates its weaknesses, reflecting his warrior’s pragmatism, yet acknowledges its futility (“some warning” won’t matter if he’s too injured to fight). The door also becomes a metaphor for his trapped frustration; he obsesses over opening it, paralleling his desire to rejoin the fight. Nerissa’s refusal to unlock it underscores their ideological clash: she trusts fate (“time to wait”), while Gregor craves control. The decaying air (“smelled like a sewer”) amplifies his claustrophobia, symbolizing the suffocating weight of prophecy and war.
Quotes
1. “Neutral meaning they help both sides so when the war ends they’ve aided the victor.”
This quote from Ripred explains the pragmatic reality of neutrality in war - it’s often strategic self-preservation rather than true impartiality. It reveals the complex political dynamics between factions in the Underland.
2. “This is not your battle, Gregor. This is your time to wait.”
Nerissa’s insistence that Gregor must wait rather than fight represents a key turning point where Gregor must accept his temporary helplessness. It contrasts with his warrior identity and builds tension about his eventual confrontation with the Bane.
3. “ON SOFT FEET, BY NONE DETECTED, DEALING DEATH, BY MOST REJECTED, KILLED BY CLAW, SINCE RESURRECTED, MARKED BY X, TWO LINES CONNECTED.”
This cryptic prophecy titled “THE PEACEMAKER” offers hope amidst the war, suggesting that peace will eventually come through an unexpected figure. It serves as an important counterpoint to the violence dominating the chapter.
4. “Well, it’s not me, Nerissa. And I won’t be around when whoever it is shows up. But I hope they do.”
Gregor’s resigned acknowledgment that he is the warrior, not the peacemaker, highlights his tragic acceptance of his role in the prophecies. This shows his character development from reluctant hero to self-aware participant in Sandwich’s visions.