Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 6
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 6, Gregor, his mother, and his sister Boots descend into the Underland on the back of Nike, a cheerful bat who reveals herself to be a princess. Despite his mother’s initial reluctance, Nike’s friendly demeanor and compliments about Gregor’s heroic status unsettle her. The journey through the misty stone tube is both eerie and mesmerizing, with Boots delighting in the ride. Upon arrival in Regalia, the grandeur of the stone city briefly impresses even Gregor’s skeptical mother, setting the stage for their meeting with Vikus.
Vikus greets them warmly but appears worn down by the recent tragedies, including Luxa’s disappearance. He expresses deep gratitude to Gregor’s mother, addressing her as “Mother of Our Light,” though she remains guarded. The urgency of their mission becomes clear when Vikus explains that everyone, including Gregor’s family, must be tested for the deadly plague. Gregor recalls his close contact with Ares, the bat who may have carried the disease, and realizes he could have been exposed through open wounds.
The group is taken to Dr. Neveeve, a skittish but skilled physician, who tests their blood for the plague. While Gregor’s mother and Boots are cleared immediately, Gregor’s results cause tension as Neveeve scrutinizes his slide. Relief follows when he is declared plague-free, but the threat remains palpable. The doctor then checks them for fleas, which Vikus explains are carriers of the disease, underscoring the Underland’s desperate measures to contain the outbreak.
Despite the all-clear, the chapter ends on a note of unease as Vikus invites the family to rest before the impending meeting. Gregor’s mother remains protective, her anxiety mirroring the Underland’s collective fear of the plague. The chapter highlights the precarious balance between hope and dread, as Gregor’s family navigates the dangers of a world where even a simple flea could spell disaster.
FAQs
1. How does Nike’s personality contrast with Ares’s, and what might this reveal about bat society in the Underland?
Answer:
Nike’s cheerful, polite demeanor starkly contrasts with Ares’s typically depressed disposition, highlighting the diversity of personalities among Underland bats. While Ares’s sadness stems from traumatic experiences (implied by Gregor’s thought that his friend “had good reason to be” depressed), Nike’s optimism—even as a princess who doesn’t flaunt her status—suggests a more complex social structure among bats. Her willingness to serve as transportation and her respectful address of Gregor’s mother (“Warrior’s Mother”) also imply a culture that values both hierarchy and kindness. This contrast may reflect varying responses to the Underland’s harsh realities, where some individuals like Nike maintain hope despite shared struggles.2. Analyze the significance of Gregor’s realization about potential plague exposure. How does this moment heighten tension in the narrative?
Answer:
Gregor’s sudden recollection of handling Ares’s blood while having open wounds (from squid-sucker attacks) introduces a visceral threat, shifting the chapter’s tone from adventure to dread. The detail that plague symptoms can appear “within days or months” creates uncertainty about his safety, despite Neveeve’s clearance. This tension is amplified by his mother’s protective reaction—pulling him close—which underscores familial stakes. The scene also reinforces the plague’s insidious nature (“an insidious and clever thing”), making it an invisible antagonist. By tying Gregor’s past actions to present danger, the narrative raises questions about consequences lingering beyond immediate battles.3. How does Vikus’s greeting of Gregor’s mother reflect Underland cultural values, and why might Grace resist these formalities?
Answer:
Vikus honors Gregor’s mother with elaborate titles (“Mother of Our Light”) and a bow, reflecting the Underland’s deep reverence for prophecy and lineage. His gratitude stems from her children’s roles in saving their society (“the Underland owes its very life”), showing how familial ties elevate status. Grace’s terse insistence on being called by her name rejects this ceremonialism, highlighting cultural friction between the Underland’s ritualistic traditions and her Overlander pragmatism. Her discomfort (“thrown by the friendliness”) suggests she views these honors as performative or burdensome, especially amid immediate concerns like the plague screening. This clash emphasizes the divide between surface-level diplomacy and human urgency.4. Evaluate the chapter’s portrayal of the plague’s scientific management. What details suggest both competence and underlying panic among Underlanders?
Answer:
The medical protocols—blood tests, flea checks, and Neveeve’s equipment (microscopes, sterile gloves)—demonstrate advanced scientific understanding, particularly in identifying fleas as vectors. However, moments like Neveeve’s startled reaction (breaking a slide) and Vikus’s apology for “startling” her reveal pervasive anxiety. The phrase “outbreak has us all on edge” acknowledges systemic stress, while the rapid clearance of Gregor’s family hints at desperation for good news. This duality paints a society balancing rigorous methodology with fear, where even experts like Neveeve (“breathy voice”) are visibly affected, amplifying the plague’s psychological toll alongside its physical threat.5. How does Boots’s alphabet recitation serve a dual purpose in this scene?
Answer:
Boots’s innocent chatter (“Z is for zebra”) provides comic relief during a tense descent, contrasting with Gregor’s internal worry and the mist’s “spooky” atmosphere. Simultaneously, it reinforces her childlike perspective, making her potential plague exposure more poignant. Her obliviousness to danger (rubbing Nike’s neck cheerfully) juxtaposes with adult concerns, emphasizing familial vulnerability. The alphabet motif also subtly ties to the Underland’s theme of coded communication—just as Boots deciphers letters, Gregor must “read” the plague’s hidden risks. This duality makes her presence both a narrative balm and a reminder of what’s at stake.
Quotes
1. “‘Gregor! We’re going to be killed!’ cried his mother. ‘No, Mom, we’ll be fine,’ said Gregor, sounding calmer than he felt.”
This opening exchange sets the tense mood of the chapter, showing Gregor’s protective role toward his family while masking his own fear. It introduces the theme of courage in the face of danger that runs throughout the narrative.
2. “‘Oh, there has been much speculation in the Underland as to the greatness of she who is mother to both the warrior and the princess,’ said Nike. ‘What an honor to meet you, Warrior’s Mother!’”
This quote highlights the Underlanders’ reverence for Gregor’s family and their prophetic significance. It contrasts humorously with Gregor’s mother’s skeptical attitude, showing the cultural divide between Overlanders and Underlanders.
3. “‘I cannot say,’ said Vikus. ‘Some creatures fall ill within days, others seem to show no symptoms for months. It is an insidious and clever thing.’”
Vikus’s explanation of the plague’s unpredictable nature raises the stakes dramatically. This medical uncertainty creates suspense about whether Gregor might be infected and foreshadows potential future consequences.
4. “‘The fleas carry the plague from creature to creature. Neveeve’s early recognition of this explains why we have only three cases in Regalia, and hundreds of rats have been stricken.’”
This revelation about the plague’s transmission mechanism shows the Underland’s scientific understanding while heightening the danger. The mention of disproportionate rat infections hints at political tensions in this human-animal society.