Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 24
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor discovers Boots’ lost mirror in the aftermath of a brutal battle, reflecting on how fortunate she and Hazard were to avoid witnessing the carnage. He questions why the ants destroyed the starshade, the supposed cure for the plague, and Ripred explains that the ants view all warmbloods as enemies, especially after humans encroached on their territory. The group realizes the ants’ attack was strategic, leveraging their collective mindset to eliminate the threat posed by the warmbloods. Temp and Nike highlight the deep-seated resentment other creatures hold toward warmbloods for their dominance and disrespect.
The group grapples with despair as they confront the destruction of the starshade, seemingly dooming their quest. Luxa questions why the prophecy failed despite their efforts, and Nike suggests they may have misunderstood its meaning. Temp cryptically hints that the Vineyard of Eyes might not be the “cradle” referred to in the prophecy, sparking a glimmer of hope. Ripred latches onto this idea, theorizing that Temp’s role in the prophecy was to reveal this critical misunderstanding.
Ripred urges the group to reconsider the prophecy’s wording, particularly the line, “You see the what but not the when.” Each member offers interpretations: Lapblood ties it to the ants’ attack, Luxa to Ares’ unexplained infection, and Gregor to his own inexplicable immunity. Ripred narrows the focus to Ares’ movements, suspecting he contracted the plague elsewhere. Luxa recalls Ares’ likely return to the Labyrinth, while Gregor fixates on a mysterious pool of blood, sensing a breakthrough.
As the group pieces together clues, Gregor’s memory triggers a realization about the plague’s true origin. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Gregor on the verge of uncovering a pivotal connection. The team’s renewed determination contrasts with their earlier despair, as they pivot from mourning the starshade’s loss to pursuing a new lead. Temp’s overlooked wisdom proves vital, underscoring the theme of hidden truths and the importance of questioning assumptions.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the mirror Gregor finds in the muck, and how does it connect to his emotional state?
Answer:
The mirror Gregor discovers is the one he had previously given to his sister Boots to play with, now obscured by dirt. This object serves as a poignant reminder of innocence lost during the battle. Gregor reflects that at least Boots and Hazard (another child) were spared from witnessing the violence, including his own brutal actions against the ants and the deaths of Hazard’s father and Frill. The mirror symbolizes Gregor’s desire to protect the children’s innocence while also highlighting his guilt and trauma from the battle. His careful cleaning of the mirror shows his attempt to preserve some semblance of normalcy amid chaos.2. How does Ripred explain the ants’ motivation for destroying the cure, and what historical tensions does he reference?
Answer:
Ripred explains that the ants view all warmbloods (humans, rats, and other creatures) as enemies, particularly the rats. He references longstanding territorial conflicts, noting that humans had pushed the rats against the ants’ borders, exacerbating tensions. Ripred specifically recalls accusing Solovet of starving the rats, which forced them into ant territory. The ants’ attack on the starshade field was a strategic move to eliminate the warmblood threat by destroying their cure for the plague. Ripred acknowledges the effectiveness of their plan, emphasizing the ants’ collective mentality and blind loyalty to their queen, which made them willing to sacrifice countless soldiers for the colony’s benefit.3. What critical realization does Temp’s statement “Not the cradle, unless this be, not the cradle” lead to, and why is it significant?
Answer:
Temp’s cryptic comment prompts Gregor to reinterpret the prophecy. By rearranging Temp’s words, Gregor realizes that the Vineyard of Eyes might not actually be the “cradle” referred to in the prophecy. This opens the possibility that the cure still exists elsewhere. The significance lies in the group’s renewed hope: if this field isn’t the cradle, their mission isn’t a failure. Ripred builds on this idea, suggesting Temp’s role in the prophecy was to reveal this misunderstanding. This shifts their focus from despair to problem-solving, as they reconsider where Ares might have contracted the plague and where the true “cradle” could be.4. How does the chapter explore themes of prejudice and inequality among Underland species?
Answer:
The chapter highlights systemic prejudice through the treatment of different species. Gregor points out the hypocrisy in how cockroaches (crawlers) are mocked—like when Temp was laughed at during a meeting—while ants are feared but not ridiculed due to their dangerous nature. Nike explains that warmbloods are resented for controlling the best lands and resources, perpetuating inequality. Temp’s initial dismissal by the group (as no one “much listened to the crawlers”) further underscores this bias. However, Temp’s later insight proves crucial, challenging the group’s assumptions and demonstrating the value of marginalized voices in solving collective problems.5. What does Gregor’s observation of Hamnet’s blood pool reveal, and how does it connect to the larger mystery of the plague?
Answer:
Gregor notices a strange familiarity in the light reflecting off Hamnet’s blood, triggering a subconscious connection. This moment hints at a breakthrough in understanding where Ares contracted the plague. Earlier, the group debates why Gregor, Luxa, and Aurora didn’t get sick despite close contact with Ares, suggesting Ares didn’t catch the plague from mites. The blood pool likely reminds Gregor of a specific location Ares visited, which could be the true source of the plague—and thus the real “cradle” of the cure. This subtle detail propels the narrative forward, emphasizing the importance of observation and memory in solving the prophecy’s riddles.
Quotes
1. “They view us as an enemy… All of us warmbloods but the rats in particular. Hasn’t helped much that the humans pushed us up against their borders.”
This quote from Ripred explains the ants’ motivation for destroying the cure, revealing the deep-seated conflict between species in the Underland and how territorial disputes have escalated tensions.
2. “We have the best lands. The most plentiful feeding grounds. What we do not have and covet, they say we take. We are thought to be lacking in respect for other creatures.”
Nike’s observation highlights the systemic inequality and prejudice in Underland society, showing how the dominant species’ exploitation has bred resentment among other creatures like the ants.
3. “The ants are a completely different situation… Everything they do is for the collective benefit of the colony… No, we don’t make fun of the cutters much. They can be too dangerous.”
Ripred’s analysis of ant psychology contrasts with how other creatures are treated, demonstrating both respect for their power and fear of their hive-mind mentality that makes them formidable enemies.
4. “Perhaps, the cure still exists somewhere. Perhaps there is more starshade right here in the Vineyard… ‘You see the what but not the when.’”
Nike’s hopeful suggestion and prophecy quote spark the critical realization that they may have misinterpreted the prophecy, shifting the chapter’s direction toward re-examining their assumptions.
5. “Not the cradle, unless this be, not the cradle… The cure could still be somewhere if the Vineyard of Eyes were not the cradle!”
Temp’s seemingly simple observation and Gregor’s subsequent realization form the chapter’s pivotal turning point, challenging their fundamental assumption about the cure’s location and reopening hope for a solution.