Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 22
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 22, Gregor and the others anxiously await news of the ambush involving Solovet, Marcus, and Horatio. The code team works diligently, while Boots sleeps unaware. Gregor wrestles with mixed feelings about Solovet, recalling her harsh actions but also moments of kindness, such as giving him her dagger. Vikus and Ripred are tense, and Gregor’s guilt over his earlier criticism of Solovet weighs on him. When Heronian confirms their deaths, Ripred remarks on Solovet’s warrior spirit, and Vikus is visibly devastated, his grief compounded by the fraught history between Solovet and their son, Hamnet.
Vikus suffers a stroke upon hearing Hazard’s innocent remark about Solovet’s indifference toward him, triggering memories of family strife. The doctor rushes Vikus away, leaving Gregor fearful of losing his trusted ally. Ripred reassures Hazard that his words weren’t the cause, but the incident underscores the emotional toll of the war. Gregor struggles to process the losses, worrying about Luxa’s reaction and his own unresolved tensions with her. The cave feels emptier without Vikus and Solovet, and Ripred appoints Perdita as the new leader, emphasizing the need for trust in their dire situation.
Gregor’s thoughts turn to Luxa, and he attempts to write her a message using a nearly dried-out marker and his own blood. The act reflects his desperation and unresolved emotions, as he fears this might be his last chance to communicate with her. The chapter highlights the personal costs of war, with characters grappling with grief, guilt, and the fragility of relationships. Gregor’s internal conflict—balancing his resentment of Solovet with recognition of her sacrifices—mirrors the broader tensions in the Underland.
The chapter ends on a somber note, with Gregor’s unfinished message symbolizing the uncertainty of their future. Ripred’s pragmatic shift to battle planning contrasts with Gregor’s emotional turmoil, underscoring the divergent ways characters cope with loss. The deaths of Solovet and the others, along with Vikus’s stroke, mark a turning point, forcing the survivors to adapt while mourning. Gregor’s focus on Luxa reveals his longing for connection amid the chaos, leaving readers with a sense of impending reckoning.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor’s internal conflict about Solovet reveal the complexity of their relationship?
Answer:
Gregor’s thoughts about Solovet showcase a nuanced mix of resentment, guilt, and reluctant gratitude. While he dislikes her for her harsh actions (like imprisoning him and her role in the plague), he acknowledges moments of kindness, such as her initial welcoming gesture and giving him her dagger. His guilt over not liking her intensifies when she dies, highlighting his moral struggle. This duality reflects how relationships can be layered with both positive and negative emotions, even in wartime (e.g., “He wished he hadn’t said that thing about not liking Solovet… Still, there had been moments… she had treated him decently”).
2. Analyze how Hazard’s blunt honesty about Solovet impacts Vikus. What does this reveal about family dynamics in the story?
Answer:
Hazard’s frank admission that Solovet “rarely spoke to him” and “didn’t care for him” triggers Vikus’s emotional collapse, emphasizing the weight of unresolved family trauma. Vikus is forced to confront the fractured relationships between Solovet, Hamnet (Hazard’s father), and himself—echoing themes of generational conflict and regret. The scene underscores how familial estrangement can have lasting psychological effects, as Vikus’s stroke is indirectly tied to this history (e.g., “All of the awful family history between his wife and his son… losing Hamnet not once but twice”).
3. How does Ripred’s reaction to Solovet’s death contrast with Vikus’s, and what does this suggest about their characters?
Answer:
Ripred responds pragmatically, noting Solovet “always said she wanted to go” fighting, while Vikus is emotionally shattered. This contrast highlights Ripred’s resilience as a soldier and his ability to compartmentalize grief, whereas Vikus—a diplomat—is consumed by loss and guilt. Ripred’s scar remark (“I have this to remember her by”) also hints at a contentious but respectful past with Solovet, contrasting Vikus’s deeper personal ties. Their reactions reveal how roles (warrior vs. peacemaker) shape coping mechanisms.
4. Why does Gregor struggle to comfort Vikus, and what does this reveal about his character development?
Answer:
Gregor admits he’s “never good at this stuff,” unlike Howard or Luxa, showing his growth in self-awareness. His inability to console Vikus stems from both his youth and his complicated feelings about Solovet. However, his attempt to connect with Hazard (“Sorry about your grandma”) demonstrates his effort to empathize despite discomfort. This scene reinforces Gregor’s role as an outsider still learning to navigate Underland’s emotional and political complexities (e.g., “all of the words he came up with seemed trite and empty”).
5. How does the chapter use physical reactions (e.g., Vikus’s stroke) to symbolize the toll of war and grief?
Answer:
Vikus’s stroke is a visceral manifestation of cumulative stress—losing Solovet, recalling Hamnet’s death, and bearing the war’s weight. The description of his “slack” face and garbled speech mirrors the collapse of his ideals of peace. Similarly, Gregor’s guilt over Solovet’s dagger and Ripred’s scar tie physical marks to emotional scars. These reactions underscore war’s psychological and physical devastation, as even leaders like Vikus break under its pressure (e.g., “This last year has been murder on him”).
Quotes
1. “Gregor thought about how Solovet had left all kinds of scars, on rats, on her family, on the Underlanders’ frail attempts at peace.”
This quote encapsulates Solovet’s complex legacy—her actions had far-reaching consequences, affecting both individuals and the broader political landscape. It highlights the theme of how leaders’ choices ripple through generations.
2. “‘Fighting.’ Vikus’s lips formed the word but no sound came out. ‘Yes, fighting. Not on some sickbed but with her sword in her hand,’ said Ripred.”
This exchange reveals Solovet’s warrior ethos and how her death aligns with her life’s philosophy. It also shows the bittersweet understanding between Vikus and Ripred despite their opposing factions.
3. “Gregor didn’t want to lose the one Underlander whom he knew had always had his best interest at heart.”
This poignant moment underscores Vikus’s role as Gregor’s moral anchor in the Underland. It represents Gregor’s growing awareness of genuine care amidst political manipulation.
4. “‘Solovet’s dead. Vikus is disabled. You just became the acting head of your army.’ […] ‘I don’t want them. I want you,’ said Ripred. ‘I need someone we can all trust.’”
This pivotal transition of power highlights Ripred’s strategic leadership and the importance of trust in wartime. It marks a turning point where meritocracy temporarily overrides hierarchy.