Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 24
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor mounts Ares in a desperate rush to save his sisters, Boots and Lizzie, from an impending rat attack. Ignoring Ripred’s advice to stay hidden, he reveals himself, shocking the enemy rats. Despite his urgency, Gregor realizes they might not reach the girls in time. His fears escalate until he spots Ripred scaling the cavern wall to aid Nike, who is defending the sisters. Gregor and Ares join the battle, with Gregor unleashing his rage, fighting ruthlessly to protect his family. The chaos intensifies as the rats swarm, but Ripred’s arrival offers a glimmer of hope.
During the fight, Gregor’s focus is shattered when Ares alerts him to the Bane’s sudden appearance. The white rat, now visibly deranged and scarred from their last encounter, attacks with reckless fury. Gregor recognizes the Bane’s deteriorated state—his missing tail affecting his balance and his eyes reflecting madness. Ares maneuvers to draw the Bane away from the battle, seeking a more open space to fight. Gregor reluctantly agrees, trusting others to protect his sisters, and prepares to face the Bane alone in a decisive confrontation.
Ares leads the Bane through a series of tunnels and caverns, exhausting the enraged rat. They eventually reach a secluded plateau, where Gregor plans to fight the Bane one-on-one. The Bane, now weakened and bleeding, arrives, but their duel is interrupted by Twirltongue, the manipulative rat who has groomed the Bane into a weapon. Gregor, seething with hatred for her role in the violence, taunts her for staying safe while the Bane suffers. His words sow distrust between the Bane and Twirltongue, exposing her scheming nature.
The chapter climaxes as Gregor exploits the Bane’s paranoia, accusing Twirltongue of betraying him. The Bane, already unhinged, turns on her, questioning her loyalty. Twirltongue tries to placate him with flattery, but the Bane’s rage is uncontrollable. The tension between them escalates, leaving Gregor poised to capitalize on their discord. The scene sets the stage for a brutal showdown, with Gregor determined to end the Bane’s reign of terror and Twirltongue’s manipulations once and for all.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor’s fighting style in this chapter reflect his emotional state and development as a warrior?
Answer:
Gregor’s fighting style reveals his intense fear for his sisters’ safety and his progression as a warrior. The text describes him fighting with lethal precision—”every stroke of his blade was a death stroke”—showing how his terror for Boots and Lizzie overrides all else. This contrasts with his earlier battles where he struggled with the moral weight of killing. Now, his rage and desperation make him more formidable but also less controlled, requiring Ares to physically snap him out of his bloodlust. The chapter highlights how Gregor’s combat skills have matured, yet his emotions still threaten to overwhelm him in critical moments.2. Analyze the significance of the Bane’s physical and mental deterioration in this confrontation. How does it affect the dynamics of the battle?
Answer:
The Bane’s deteriorated state—scarred, unbalanced from his missing tail, and visibly demented—shifts the battle’s dynamics. His physical wounds (like the bloody spider-silk stump) and erratic movements (“as if intoxicated”) make him less methodical but more unpredictable. Mentally, his paranoia and Twirltongue’s manipulation have pushed him beyond reason, evident when he fixates on Gregor’s taunt about his tail. This degeneration makes him simultaneously more dangerous (as he attacks indiscriminately) and more vulnerable (as Gregor exploits his instability). The Bane’s condition symbolizes how Twirltongue’s manipulation has weaponized his fragility, turning him into a chaotic force rather than a strategic threat.3. How does Gregor manipulate the Bane’s relationship with Twirltongue, and what does this reveal about his tactical growth?
Answer:
Gregor strategically sows distrust between the Bane and Twirltongue by pointing out her unscathed appearance (“You’re looking good… Seeing much action?”), contrasting it with the Bane’s injuries. This exposes Twirltongue’s hypocrisy and triggers the Bane’s paranoia. Gregor’s tactic reveals his growth in psychological warfare; he recognizes that the Bane’s mental state is his weakness and exploits it. Unlike earlier battles where he relied solely on physical strength, here he uses words as weapons, demonstrating his maturation into a leader who understands his enemies’ motivations and fractures their alliances.4. Evaluate the role of setting in this chapter. How does the shift to the isolated plateau impact the final confrontation?
Answer:
The isolated plateau, reached after a chaotic chase through tunnels, creates a symbolic and practical arena for the showdown. By luring the Bane away from the battlefield, Gregor ensures a “one-on-one” duel without distractions or collateral damage. The dripping rock formations and elevation (“a million miles from anywhere”) emphasize the confrontation’s gravity and isolation. Physically, the chase exhausts the Bane, worsening his wounds, while the confined space limits his mobility. The setting thus mirrors Gregor’s strategic intent: to strip the Bane of allies and advantages, forcing a decisive, intimate clash.5. What does Twirltongue’s behavior in this scene reveal about her true role in the conflict?
Answer:
Twirltongue’s actions expose her as a manipulator who preserves herself at the Bane’s expense. She remains unharmed (“unmarred, not a wound on her”), observing safely from the boulders, while the Bane fights. Her soothing voice (“Calm yourself before you destroy him”) masks her self-interest, but Gregor’s taunts reveal her hypocrisy. When the Bane turns on her, she backpedals with flattery (“kings are bold and brave”), highlighting her survival tactics. Her character embodies the theme of deceptive leadership—she fuels the Bane’s madness for power but abandons him when challenged, proving her loyalty is to herself alone.
Quotes
1. “They will know now! That you still have life!”
This quote from Ares captures the pivotal moment when Gregor abandons stealth, revealing his survival to the enemy rats. It signifies a turning point in the battle strategy and foreshadows the intense confrontation to come.
2. “Every stroke of his blade was a death stroke, every movement designed to kill. He hacked and sliced and plunged his blade into rat after rat, oblivious to all else.”
This visceral description shows Gregor’s transformation into a ruthless warrior driven by fear for his sisters’ safety. It demonstrates how personal stakes can override strategic thinking in combat.
3. “One glance told Gregor he had crossed over the line from damaged to demented.”
This powerful observation about the Bane’s mental state reveals the white rat’s complete psychological breakdown. The quote underscores the tragic consequences of war and manipulation on the young antagonist.
4. “A king does not need a tail,” said Twirltongue. / “He’s not going to be king,” said Gregor. “Are you, Pearlpelt?”
This exchange highlights the psychological warfare between Gregor and Twirltongue, showing Gregor’s clever manipulation of the Bane’s fragile mental state by using his birth name to undermine Twirltongue’s influence.
5. “Because kings are bold and brave fighters. Your scars are badges of your might. No one would follow someone as untried and feeble as myself,” said Twirltongue, edging along a boulder.
This quote reveals Twirltongue’s desperate attempt to maintain control as her manipulation unravels. The irony lies in her flattery being both truthful about the Bane’s condition and completely insincere about her own ambitions.