Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 23
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 23, Gregor is stunned when Ripred reveals his skepticism about the prophecies that govern life in the Underland. The rat explains that he only pretends to believe in them to manipulate others, as the prophecies are vague enough to fit almost any event. Ripred argues that people interpret them to justify their actions, citing the plague and the starshade incident as examples. Gregor struggles to reconcile this with his own experiences, but Ripred insists that prophecies are tools, not truths, and that their power lies in people’s willingness to follow them.
Ripred challenges Gregor’s belief in his own inevitable death, suggesting that Sandwich’s prophecies may be mere coincidence or manipulation. He points out how easily they adapted the Prophecy of Time to replace Boots with Lizzie, emphasizing that outcomes are shaped by choices, not fate. Gregor is torn, recalling Nerissa’s accurate prediction about Hamnet, but Ripred dismisses it as a rare coincidence. The rat urges Gregor to fight the Bane not because of prophecy but because it’s the right thing to do, instilling in him a newfound hope for survival.
Gregor reflects on Ripred’s words, realizing his own disdain for Sandwich and the prophecies. He embraces the idea that his actions are his own, not dictated by Sandwich’s words. This shift in perspective lifts his spirits, and he reconnects with his playful side, teasing Boots and sharing a heartfelt moment with his sisters before parting. He gifts Lizzie a chessboard and Boots cookies, symbolizing his renewed determination to live beyond the prophecy’s grim expectations.
As Gregor and Ares prepare for battle, Ripred reminds Gregor to stay hidden until the Bane appears. Gregor practices his echolocation skills, feeling more confident in his abilities. The chapter ends with them arriving at the Plain of Tartarus, where Gregor’s newfound resolve and clarity of purpose set the stage for the impending confrontation. His journey from despair to hope underscores the chapter’s central theme: agency over destiny.
FAQs
1. How does Ripred’s view of the prophecies differ from how he publicly behaves regarding them?
Answer:
Ripred privately admits to Gregor that he doesn’t truly believe in the prophecies, despite publicly acting as though he does. He explains that he only pretends to believe and interprets them because everyone else in the Underland does, and it’s easier to manipulate events if they appear to fit the prophecies. Ripred reveals that prophecies are vague enough that many events could be made to fit them over time, and he only engages with them to prevent others from coming up with foolish interpretations that would be harder to counter. This duality shows his pragmatic approach to leadership and manipulation in the Underland’s prophecy-driven society.2. What significant realization does Gregor have about his own fate after talking with Ripred?
Answer:
Gregor realizes that his impending death might not be inevitable after all. Ripred’s skepticism about the prophecies—particularly “The Prophecy of Time”—gives Gregor hope that Sandwich’s predictions could be wrong. This shifts Gregor’s perspective from resigned acceptance to active determination. He begins to see his battle with the Bane as a personal choice to stop evil, rather than a fate dictated by prophecy. This mental shift is highlighted when Boots notices he “seems like [him]self again,” as Gregor regains his playful demeanor and hope for survival.3. How does Ripred justify his manipulation of the prophecies in the jungle with the starshade?
Answer:
Ripred explains that when the starshade was destroyed and the group lost hope, he seized on the idea of a misinterpreted prophecy as a motivational tool. Though he initially thought Neveeve might have been right about the starshade being the cure, he used the possibility of a misread prophecy to spur the group into continuing their search for an alternative solution. This strategic lie ultimately led them to discover the real cure. Ripred defends this manipulation as necessary to prevent the group from giving up entirely, framing it as a choice between false hope and certain death.4. What does Gregor’s gift exchange with Lizzie and Boots reveal about his emotional state and priorities?
Answer:
The thoughtful gifts (the magnetic chessboard for Lizzie and cookies for Boots) and tender goodbyes show Gregor’s love for his sisters and his desire to leave them with meaningful tokens in case he doesn’t survive. However, his actions also reflect his renewed hope—he no longer acts like someone preparing for certain death. By teaching Lizzie about echolocation and promising future lessons, he implies a belief in their continued relationship. This scene marks a transition from despair to cautious optimism, as Gregor begins to envision a future beyond the prophecy’s predictions.5. How does the chapter explore the theme of self-determination versus predestination?
Answer:
The chapter deeply examines whether characters’ actions are driven by fate or free will. Ripred argues that prophecies only have power because people choose to act according to them, not because they’re inherently true. Gregor’s internal struggle embodies this theme—he initially accepts his prophesied death but later embraces the idea that his choices matter more than Sandwich’s words. The text suggests that belief in prophecy can become a self-fulfilling cycle, while skepticism allows for self-determination. This is underscored when Ripred urges Gregor to fight the Bane because it’s right, not because a prophecy demands it.
Quotes
1. “I pretend like I believe in them, even try to convince myself I do for short periods, because everybody else down here does. So if you want to make them do something, it has to fit the prophecies, you see?”
This quote reveals Ripred’s pragmatic manipulation of prophecies—he doesn’t truly believe in them but uses them as tools to influence others. It introduces the chapter’s central theme questioning the validity of prophetic determinism.
2. “Maybe you only leaped because that prophecy suggested that was the thing to do… Maybe Sandwich was a madman who locked himself up and wrote crazy poems on the wall. And maybe — you’re not going to die.”
Ripred dismantles the inevitability of prophecies, suggesting they may be self-fulfilling constructs rather than divine truths. This pivotal moment gives Gregor hope by challenging the fatalistic “Prophecy of Time.”
3. “So you fight, Gregor the Overlander. And don’t you let your guard down for a second because you think anything’s inevitable!”
This battle cry encapsulates Ripred’s philosophy of self-determination over predestination. It marks the chapter’s climax where Gregor shifts from passive acceptance to active defiance of his prophesied fate.
4. “He hadn’t really teased Boots in a while. Hardly ever smiled even. But Ripred’s words had given him something he’d abandoned since he’d first read ‘The Prophecy of Time.’ Hope.”
This introspective moment shows Gregor’s emotional transformation after rejecting prophetic fatalism. The return of hope becomes his weapon against both the Bane and Sandwich’s psychological control.
5. “Not because Sandwich says so but because I say so. And Ripred’s right. I’m better than the Bane. And I can do it.”
Gregor’s internal monologue demonstrates his complete rejection of external prophecies in favor of personal agency. This conclusion ties together the chapter’s exploration of free will versus determinism.