Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 10
by Suzanne, Collins,The chapter begins with a tense moment as Gregor’s mother discovers she has been bitten, likely by a plague-carrying flea. The group reacts with shock, and Vikus and Solovet explain that she must be quarantined to prevent the plague from spreading to the Overland. Gregor struggles to process the situation, clinging to his mother’s hand before she is taken away on Nike’s back. The urgency of the plague is emphasized, and Gregor realizes the prophecy is unfolding, forcing him and Boots into a dangerous quest to find the cure.
Gregor and the others undergo rigorous inspections for flea bites, highlighting the Underlanders’ fear of the plague. Boots remains oblivious, giggling during the examination, while Gregor grapples with the weight of responsibility. He reflects on how the prophecy has ensnared his family, particularly his mother, whose infection seems orchestrated to ensure his participation in the quest. Exhausted and resentful, Gregor feels trapped by the Underland’s demands and the suffering it brings to his family.
After being cleared of bites, Gregor and Boots are given new clothes and reunited with Dulcet, their former nanny. Dulcet offers comfort, but Gregor internally battles guilt and fear over his mother’s fate. He worries about her survival and blames himself for her predicament. Meanwhile, Neveeve, the doctor, agrees to show Gregor his quarantined mother, who is sedated and isolated. Seeing her vulnerable state, Gregor fears it may be their last meeting, fueling his determination to find a cure.
Neveeve takes Gregor to her laboratory to share her knowledge of the plague. Along the way, they discuss Ares’s isolation and illness, revealing Neveeve’s uncommon sympathy for the outcast bat. Gregor appreciates her compassion, as Ares’s suffering mirrors his own feelings of helplessness. The chapter ends with Gregor preparing to learn more about the plague, driven by desperation to save his mother and fulfill the prophecy’s demands, even as he resents the burden placed upon him.
FAQs
1. What are the immediate consequences of Gregor’s mother being bitten, and how do the Underlanders justify their response?
Answer:
The immediate consequence is that Gregor’s mother must be quarantined to prevent the plague from spreading to the Overland. Vikus states they cannot let her go home, while Solovet explains that unleashing the plague in the Overland could mean “the annihilation of the warmbloods there.” Neveeve insists on immediate quarantine, showing the Underlanders’ strict protocol for containing the deadly disease. Their justification combines public health concerns with prophetic necessity—Gregor’s mother being removed from the equation forces Gregor and Boots to undertake the quest for the cure, aligning with the prophecy’s requirements.2. How does Gregor’s internal conflict manifest in this chapter, and what does it reveal about his character development?
Answer:
Gregor grapples with anger, exhaustion, and guilt over his family’s suffering. He resents being “dragged into the Underland” and expected to solve its problems, yet he accepts responsibility when he tells Neveeve, “I need to know everything you know about the plague.” His fear of losing his mother—and his guilt over her infection—shows his deepening emotional burden. However, his determination to find the cure, despite his resentment, highlights his growing resilience and sense of duty, marking a shift from reluctance to reluctant leadership.3. Analyze the significance of Neveeve’s characterization in this chapter. How does she differ from other Underlanders in her treatment of Ares?
Answer:
Neveeve stands out for her compassion toward Ares, whom most Underlanders mistrust. She reveals that she treated his mite wounds secretly at Vikus’s request, acknowledging that his persecution was “unjust.” This contrasts sharply with the general hostility toward Ares and adds complexity to her character. Her nervous demeanor (twitching eyelid, jumpiness) humanizes her, suggesting the toll of battling the plague. Her sympathy for Ares also foreshadows potential alliances or revelations, as she seems more morally nuanced than other Regalians.4. How does the chapter use physical descriptions and sensory details to heighten tension during the quarantine scene?
Answer:
The tension is palpable through stark imagery: the “white seething river,” the absence of assistance at the dock due to yellow powder, and the invasive medical inspection under “bright light.” Boots’ giggling contrasts eerily with the gravity of the situation, while Gregor’s numbness (“submitted without objecting”) underscores his shock. The description of his mother—”small and vulnerable” in white pajamas—emphasizes her fragility. These details immerse the reader in the scene’s dread, blending clinical coldness with emotional vulnerability.5. What thematic role does prophecy play in this chapter, and how does Gregor’s understanding of it evolve?
Answer:
Prophecy shifts from an abstract burden to an active force manipulating events. Gregor realizes it “dug its teeth into him” like the plague, forcing his family’s suffering to fulfill its requirements. His bitter reflection—”prophetically speaking, everything was right on schedule”—shows his awareness that his mother’s quarantine was necessary for the quest to proceed. This marks a darker, more cynical view of prophecy: no longer a call to heroism but a cruel mechanism that sacrifices individuals (like his mom) for larger outcomes. The theme critiques destiny’s cost.
Quotes
1. “‘You need pink,’ she said when she saw the bite.”
This simple yet poignant statement from Boots highlights the innocence of childhood contrasted with the gravity of the situation. It underscores how the plague’s threat is interpreted through a child’s limited understanding, making the moment even more heartbreaking.
2. “‘We cannot let you,’ said Vikus with a sad shake of his head. ‘Not now.’”
This quote marks a crucial turning point where Gregor’s mother is forcibly separated from her children due to quarantine protocols. It represents the harsh choices between personal freedom and public safety in times of crisis.
3. “‘Oh, it had found him, all right. And dug its teeth into him.’”
This powerful metaphor captures how Gregor feels trapped by the prophecy’s inevitability. The imagery of teeth suggests both the physical plague bite and how destiny has taken hold of his family against their will.
4. “‘I am very sorry to hear about your mother. But do not lose heart. You will find the cure. Of this, I am certain.’”
Dulcet’s kind words represent one of the few moments of emotional support Gregor receives. The quote highlights both the Underlanders’ faith in Gregor as their savior and the tremendous burden this places on him.
5. “‘As I said, I believe his treatment has been unjust,’ said Neveeve.”
This rare sympathetic view of Ares from Neveeve provides important characterization while foreshadowing potential revelations about the plague’s origins. It suggests there may be more to the story than simple misfortune.