Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 1
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor begins the chapter by secretly reading a cryptic, backward-written prophecy titled “The Prophecy of Blood” in the bathroom mirror, given to him by Nerissa, the frail queen of the Underland. The prophecy unsettles him, but he hides it from his family, including his younger sisters, Lizzie and Boots, who interrupt him. The Underland, a subterranean world beneath New York City, is home to giant creatures and humans who view Gregor with mixed feelings after he spared the life of the Bane, a white rat prophesied to bring destruction. Gregor’s actions have left his loyalty in question among the Underlanders.
The chapter highlights Gregor’s domestic life, contrasting his ordinary struggles with the lingering trauma of his Underland adventures. His father, still recovering from years of captivity by the rats, prepares breakfast while the family endures a freezing apartment. Gregor’s interactions with Boots and Lizzie reveal his protective nature, but his mind remains preoccupied with the prophecy and the fate of his Underland friends, particularly Luxa, the young queen who may be missing or dead. The tension between his responsibilities at home and his unresolved ties to the Underland weighs heavily on him.
Gregor’s internal conflict is palpable as he tries to maintain a normal routine. He jokes with his family about his frequent bathroom visits, using them as a cover to study the prophecy, but his thoughts are consumed by worry for Luxa and others. The Underlanders promised to update him through a grate in his laundry room, but the silence deepens his anxiety. The prophecy’s ominous message and the uncertainty of his friends’ survival leave him distracted and emotionally strained.
The chapter underscores Gregor’s isolation as he bears the burden of secrecy alone. His family remains unaware of his turmoil, and his attempts to focus on school and daily life are overshadowed by his dread of the prophecy and longing for news from the Underland. The juxtaposition of mundane family moments with Gregor’s inner turmoil creates a poignant contrast, emphasizing the emotional toll of his dual existence and the looming threat of another dangerous journey.
FAQs
1. What is “The Prophecy of Blood” and why does Gregor keep it secret?
Answer:
“The Prophecy of Blood” is a mysterious, backward-written poem given to Gregor by Nerissa, the queen of Regalia, as he left the Underland. It can only be read when reflected in a mirror, adding to its secrecy. Gregor hides it from his family because revealing it would imply he might return to the Underland, which would panic them. The prophecy’s contents make him feel physically ill, suggesting it foretells dire events. Gregor’s secrecy reflects his desire to protect his family from worry and his own uncertainty about the prophecy’s meaning.2. How does the chapter illustrate the contrast between Gregor’s ordinary life and his Underland experiences?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes mundane family routines (like helping Boots use the toilet or eating biscuits) with Gregor’s traumatic memories of the Underland. While he performs normal sibling tasks, his mind dwells on unresolved dangers—Luxa’s fate, the Bane’s threat, and the new prophecy. The cold apartment and financial struggles highlight his human-world challenges, yet these pale against Underland’s life-or-death stakes. This contrast emphasizes Gregor’s internal conflict: he’s physically home but psychologically still entangled in the Underland’s war.3. Analyze the significance of Boots’ character in this chapter.
Answer:
Boots serves as both comic relief and an emotional anchor for Gregor. Her childish antics (like smearing jelly or insisting “I do it myself”) lighten the mood, but her innocence also contrasts with Gregor’s heavy burdens. Her safety was a key motivation in the Underland, and caring for her now symbolizes Gregor’s desire for normalcy. Her mispronunciation of his name (“Gre-go”) subtly marks the passage of time, reminding readers that Gregor’s adventures have spanned years of her young life.4. Why hasn’t Gregor received updates about Luxa and the others from the Underland?
Answer:
The Underlanders promised to leave messages in Gregor’s laundry room grate, a portal to their world, but communication has failed. This silence could imply multiple scenarios: the Regalians are unable to send word (due to war or political turmoil), they believe Gregor is better off uninvolved, or messages have been intercepted. Gregor’s anxiety over this reflects his unresolved guilt about leaving Luxa and others in danger, as well as his fear that the prophecy’s events may already be unfolding without him.5. How does the author use physical details to convey the family’s socioeconomic struggles?
Answer:
Descriptions of the freezing apartment (despite coats indoors), watery apple juice stretched thin, and “end-of-the-month” meals reveal financial strain. The broken boiler symbolizes neglect by city services, while the red plastic booster seat—used since Gregor’s infancy—hints at long-term frugality. Yet, these hardships are softened by warmth from familial love (e.g., the father making biscuits despite illness). These details ground the fantasy elements in a relatable reality, making Gregor’s dual life more poignant.
Quotes
1. “He hadn’t told anyone about this new prophecy yet and didn’t intend to until it was absolutely necessary.”
This quote highlights Gregor’s burden of secrecy and the weight of responsibility he carries as the keeper of a terrifying prophecy. It sets up the central tension of the chapter—his isolation in grappling with the Underland’s looming threat.
2. “For many Underlanders, that was unforgivable, because they believed the Bane would one day be the cause of their total destruction.”
This passage underscores the moral dilemma Gregor faced in the Underland and introduces the stakes of the prophecy. It reveals why his choice to spare the Bane has lasting consequences for both worlds.
3. “Turned out she’d meant it literally—’The Prophecy of Blood’ was written backward. You couldn’t even make sense of it unless you had a mirror.”
This clever detail emphasizes the cryptic nature of the prophecy and Queen Nerissa’s unsettling foresight. The mirror motif symbolizes Gregor’s struggle to interpret his role in events he can’t fully understand.
4. “He was wondering if she was even alive. Luxa… All his friends. All missing in action. All weaving through his dreams at night and preoccupying his thoughts when he was awake.”
This poignant reflection reveals Gregor’s emotional turmoil and connection to the Underland. The repetition of “all” emphasizes how completely these worries dominate his life, contrasting sharply with his surface-level normalcy.
5. “It was a huge effort to pay attention in class, to act normal around his friends, to hide his worries from his family, because any hint that he was planning to return to the Underland would throw them into a panic.”
This quote perfectly captures Gregor’s dual existence—balancing ordinary life with extraordinary burdens. It shows how the prophecy creates isolation, forcing him to conceal his true thoughts even from loved ones.