Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 22
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 22, Gregor and his companions witness a harrowing scene as the nibblers (mice) are herded by rats down a treacherous path toward a pit at the base of a volcano. The path is lined with a sheer cliff and a stone wall, obscuring the pit until the mice are nearly trapped. Panic erupts when the mice realize their fate, and their attempts to escape are thwarted by a boulder sealing the tunnel entrance. Luxa impulsively wants to intervene, but Ripred cautions against rash actions, emphasizing the need for strategy over brute force to maintain their advantage of surprise.
The nibblers quickly regroup and devise an escape plan, forming a pyramid-like structure called the Isosceles Maneuver to climb out of the pit. Gregor and the others observe with cautious hope as the mice begin freeing themselves, starting with the pups. However, Luxa senses something amiss, questioning why the rats would allow their escape. Ripred speculates that the rats may be relying on another threat to eliminate the mice, hinting at an unseen danger beyond lava. Temp, the cockroach, grows agitated, warning of an imminent but inexplicable threat, which Boots likens to “breathing.”
The situation escalates when the mice suddenly collapse in the pit, convulsing and gasping for air. Gregor realizes they are suffocating, though the cause remains unclear. Chaos ensues as Luxa demands immediate action, but Ripred physically restrains her and Aurora, preventing a suicidal rescue attempt. Howard comforts Hazard while Cartesian, overwhelmed by despair, attempts to leap into the pit. The chapter ends with the group paralyzed by horror as the nibblers’ screams echo, underscoring the brutal efficiency of the rats’ trap and the fragility of their own survival.
The chapter highlights themes of desperation, strategic thinking, and the残酷 of war. Ripred’s insistence on冷静 over冲动 contrasts with Luxa’s emotional urgency, while Gregor’s observations bridge the gap between their perspectives. The nibblers’ ingenuity and tragic fate emphasize the high stakes of their struggle, leaving the group to grapple with helplessness and the looming threat of the unknown. Temp’s cryptic warnings and the suffocation phenomenon add a layer of mystery, foreshadowing greater dangers ahead.
FAQs
1. What is the “Isosceles Maneuver” that Cartesian describes, and why is it significant in this situation?
Answer:
The Isosceles Maneuver is a triangular formation the nibblers (mice) create to escape the pit, differing from a traditional pyramid by having three points instead of four. Cartesian explains they are mimicking a two-dimensional triangle. This is significant because it demonstrates the nibblers’ quick thinking and organization under extreme duress. Despite being trapped by rats and facing potential death, they devise a systematic escape plan. The maneuver allows them to build height efficiently to climb out of the pit, showing their resilience and intelligence in a life-or-death scenario (referenced when Cartesian corrects Gregor’s assumption that it’s just a “pyramid”).2. How does Ripred demonstrate strategic leadership when Luxa wants to immediately rescue the nibblers?
Answer:
Ripred shows strategic leadership by stopping Luxa’s impulsive reaction to save the nibblers. He argues that charging in without a plan would waste their element of surprise and likely get them killed. Instead, he advocates for observing the nibblers’ own escape plan (the Isosceles Maneuver) and coordinating with it. His leadership is further highlighted when he insists they wait for the right moment to act—when the boulder moves—to maximize effectiveness. This contrasts with Luxa’s emotional response and underscores Ripred’s experience and tactical mindset (e.g., “You’ve got to stop running into dangerous situations without using your heads!”).3. What role does Temp the cockroach play in foreshadowing the tragedy at the pit?
Answer:
Temp serves as an early warning system for the unseen danger approaching the nibblers. His agitation and cryptic phrases (“the volcano is breathing”) hint at the impending suffocation of the mice, though the group initially misunderstands his warning. Temp’s distress is significant because, as Gregor notes, the cockroach’s alarms are always justified. This builds suspense and dread before the horrific reveal that the nibblers are dying from an invisible threat (likely volcanic gases). Temp’s inability to articulate the danger clearly adds to the tension, making the eventual tragedy more shocking.4. Analyze how Boots and Hazard contribute to the group’s understanding of Temp’s warning.
Answer:
Boots and Hazard act as interpreters for Temp’s unclear warnings, though their attempts are initially incomplete. Boots physically demonstrates “breathing” by puffing her cheeks, suggesting an expulsion of air (foreshadowing the volcanic gases). Hazard translates Temp’s clicks as “the volcano is breathing,” which is closer to the truth but still vague. Their efforts show how the group relies on each member’s unique perspective—Boots’ childlike simplicity and Hazard’s bond with Temp—to piece together information. However, their interpretations come too late to save the nibblers, emphasizing the tragedy of miscommunication in crises.5. Why does Cartesian attempt to fling himself into the pit, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Cartesian tries to leap into the pit either to aid his fellow nibblers or to die with them, showcasing his despair and loyalty. Earlier in the chapter, he emerges from his confused state to lucidly explain the Isosceles Maneuver, proving his care for his kind. His suicide attempt reveals the depth of his grief and survivor’s guilt after witnessing their suffocation. This moment humanizes Cartesian, contrasting his earlier erratic behavior with a poignant act of solidarity. It also mirrors the broader theme of sacrifice in the novel (e.g., “limped to the cave opening and tried to fling himself into the air”).
Quotes
1. “You, all of you, you’ve got to stop running into dangerous situations without using your heads! There is no faster way to get killed!”
This quote from Ripred captures a central tension in the chapter - the conflict between Luxa’s impulsive heroism and Ripred’s strategic pragmatism. It underscores the recurring theme of balancing courage with wisdom in dire situations.
2. “See, they have a plan. Let’s work with it… What they need is someone to hold that path if the rats come through.”
Ripred’s statement marks a turning point where the group transitions from panic to coordinated action. It demonstrates leadership through collaboration rather than domination, showing respect for the nibblers’ own survival strategy.
3. “Not lava, it be, not lava… it be — [clicking]… the volcano is breathing.”
Temp’s ominous warning introduces the chapter’s central threat in a powerfully understated way. The cockroach’s inability to fully articulate the danger creates suspense while foreshadowing the suffocation mechanism that follows.
4. “They can’t breathe! They’re suffocating!”
Gregor’s horrified realization represents the chapter’s climactic moment of revelation. This simple, visceral description conveys the true horror of the rats’ trap more effectively than any elaborate explanation could.
5. “Cartesian limped to the cave opening and tried to fling himself into the air, to either catch a current to help the other nibblers or simply kill himself….”
This final image powerfully encapsulates the chapter’s themes of desperation and sacrifice. Cartesian’s ambiguous motivation - between heroic effort and suicidal despair - reflects the moral complexity of the situation.