Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 11
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor struggles to decipher “The Prophecy of Blood,” a cryptic and backward inscription on the stone floor, using a small mirror. Despite memorizing its content, Vikus and Queen Nerissa insist he study the original for hidden clues. The prophecy’s tiny, ornate letters and awkward placement make it nearly illegible, frustrating Gregor. He questions why the ancient seer Sandwich made it so difficult, to which Nerissa suggests the prophecy’s meaning is intentionally obscure, mirroring its physical form. The repeating stanza, with its enigmatic lines about turning and entwined remedies, hints that their current understanding may be fundamentally flawed.
Gregor analyzes the prophecy’s stanzas, finding most straightforward except for the recurring verse, which implies deeper misdirection. Vikus encourages Gregor to interpret it himself, leading Gregor to conclude that their assumptions about the quest are incorrect. Despite this uncertainty, Vikus argues they must proceed to the Vineyard of Eyes to find a cure for the plague, as inaction is not an option. Gregor hopes Vikus will join the mission, but learns Solovet and Ripred will accompany him instead, bolstering his confidence in their chances of survival.
The group transitions to a council meeting where Vikus outlines the quest’s participants, including Gregor, Boots, Solovet, Ripred, and the roach Temp. The rats mock Temp, prompting Gregor to defend him with a sharp retort, earning Ripred’s amusement. However, the rats hesitate to commit until their demands—access to fishing grounds and flea powder—are met. The humans’ silence on the powder frustrates Gregor, who recalls the plague’s horrors and fears the mission may collapse over this refusal.
Tensions rise as the rats insist on the flea powder as a non-negotiable condition, while the humans remain reluctant. Gregor, horrified by the potential failure of the quest, impulsively interrupts the negotiations. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, emphasizing the fragile alliance between species and the high stakes of their journey. The interplay of prophecy, politics, and personal loyalty underscores the challenges ahead.
FAQs
1. What challenges does Gregor face when trying to read “The Prophecy of Blood,” and what does this suggest about Sandwich’s intentions?
Answer:
Gregor struggles to read the prophecy because it is written in tiny, ornate letters, crammed into a corner of the floor, and written backward. The mirror he uses to read it reflects his own face more than the text, making deciphering it frustrating and physically taxing. Vikus and Nerissa suggest that Sandwich intentionally made the prophecy difficult to read, mirroring its complex and ambiguous meaning. This implies that Sandwich wanted the prophecy to be pondered deeply rather than understood at a glance, hinting that its true significance requires careful interpretation and may not be immediately apparent.2. How does the repeating stanza in the prophecy (“Turn and turn and turn again…”) contribute to the chapter’s central conflict?
Answer:
The repeating stanza introduces uncertainty and doubt into the characters’ mission. Gregor interprets it to mean that their current understanding of events is flawed (“we’re wrong”), which raises questions about the validity of their planned journey to the Vineyard of Eyes. Nerissa and Vikus acknowledge this ambiguity but argue that action is still necessary, as doing nothing is worse. This stanza becomes a metaphor for the characters’ struggle to interpret fate and make decisions amid incomplete information, heightening the tension between destiny and free will.3. Analyze the dynamics between the different species (humans, rats, bats, roaches) during the council meeting. What does this reveal about the Underland’s societal tensions?
Answer:
The council meeting highlights deep-seated prejudices and power struggles among the species. The rats (gnawers) negotiate pragmatically for resources like flea powder, while humans withhold aid, reflecting mutual distrust. Bats and humans mock the roaches (crawlers), showing their low status, and Gregor’s defense of Temp underscores his empathy for the marginalized. Ripred’s laughter at Gregor’s retort to Lapblood suggests a chaotic but pragmatic view of alliances. These interactions reveal a fragile, transactional coexistence, where cooperation is strained by historical animosities and survival instincts, complicating the quest’s unity.4. Why does Gregor choose to sit with the roaches during the council meeting, and what does this decision signify about his character?
Answer:
Gregor sits with the roaches because he feels alienated from the other groups: the rats are hostile, the humans (Regalian council) distrust him, and the bats shunned his bond, Ares. The roaches, who have consistently shown him kindness, represent a safe space. This choice highlights Gregor’s outsider status in the Underland and his moral alignment with the undervalued. It also reflects his growing independence—he prioritizes personal integrity over political alliances, reinforcing his role as a bridge between species and a challenger of societal hierarchies.5. How does the chapter foreshadow potential dangers or conflicts for the upcoming quest to the Vineyard of Eyes?
Answer:
The chapter foreshadows danger through several clues: the prophecy’s ominous tone (“you do it or you die”), the rats’ conditional participation (threatening to abandon the quest without flea powder), and Solovet’s involvement (implying combat readiness). Gregor’s reliance on Ripred and Solovet hints at lethal threats, while the mockery of Temp suggests internal discord. Additionally, the prophecy’s warning about misinterpretation (“you see the what but not the when”) implies hidden perils. These elements build suspense, suggesting the quest will test both physical survival and the group’s fragile unity.
Quotes
1. “‘Turn and turn and turn again. You see the what but not the when. Remedy and wrong entwine, and so they form a single vine.’”
This cryptic stanza from “The Prophecy of Blood” represents the central mystery of the chapter, highlighting how truth and deception are intertwined in Sandwich’s visions. It sparks the key debate about whether the characters are interpreting their mission correctly.
2. “‘Yes. Not only wrong now. But as we “turn and turn,” we are still not seeing the truth,’ said Nerissa.”
Nerissa’s insight underscores the chapter’s theme of misinterpretation and the difficulty of discerning prophecy. Her analysis suggests the characters may be trapped in a cycle of misunderstanding that requires deeper examination.
3. “‘Because the alternative is to do nothing,’ said Vikus. ‘And a journey is indicated.’”
Vikus’s pragmatic response captures the dilemma facing the characters - even with uncertainty about the prophecy’s meaning, action is required. This quote represents the chapter’s turning point where they commit to the dangerous quest despite their doubts.
4. “‘Well, at least the trip isn’t going to be dull!’”
Ripred’s humorous interjection during tense negotiations between species provides comic relief while subtly acknowledging the precarious alliance between humans, rats, and roaches. It lightens a serious discussion about the composition of the quest party.
5. “‘No powder, no deal,’ said Lapblood.”
This blunt ultimatum from the rats highlights the political tensions underlying the mission. The flea powder negotiation reveals how practical concerns and interspecies distrust threaten to derail the prophecy’s fulfillment.