Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Chapter 25
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 25, tensions rise as Luxa and Ripred debate the existence of a cure for the plague in Regalia. Luxa initially denies its existence but reluctantly promises to prioritize the gnawers if it is found. Ripred urges her to return to Regalia to resolve the crisis while he and Lapblood follow the ants’ trail. Gregor struggles with leaving Hamnet and Frill’s bodies behind, but Ripred reassures him that the jungle will reclaim them. The group departs on Nike, with Ripred acknowledging Temp’s potential role in their survival and urging Gregor to spread the word to combat prejudice against the crawlers.
The group arrives at the nibblers’ land, where Hazard anxiously awaits news of his father and Frill. Luxa gently breaks the devastating news of their deaths, drawing parallels to her own loss. Hazard, overwhelmed with grief, initially resists leaving the jungle but eventually agrees to accompany Luxa to Regalia, where he will be cared for by his grandfather, Vikus. Luxa offers him familial comfort, promising him a flier and a new home, symbolizing hope amid tragedy. Meanwhile, Gregor reflects on the urgency of returning to Regalia to secure the cure for his mother and friends.
Before departing, Luxa expresses gratitude to the mice for their kindness, offering her crown as a token of future aid. The group prepares for the journey back, though the bats are injured. Gregor’s impatience grows as he calculates the time lost traveling on foot, emphasizing the urgency of their mission. Nike reveals her attempts to decipher the prophecy, and Gregor questions whether their theory about humans causing the plague will be believed. Nike warns that the revelation could deepen divisions, with humans facing shame and their enemies seizing the opportunity to vilify them.
Gregor grapples with the unsettling realization that Underland humans may not be morally superior to the rats, recalling past injustices like the council’s refusal of flea powder. This challenges his perception of the humans as inherently good and the rats as villains. The chapter ends with Boots and Temp’s lighthearted chatter, providing a stark contrast to the heavy themes of loss, prejudice, and moral ambiguity. The group’s return to Regalia carries both hope for a cure and dread of the impending fallout from their discoveries.
FAQs
1. How does Luxa demonstrate leadership and compassion in this chapter?
Answer:
Luxa shows both leadership and compassion through her actions and words. As a leader, she makes difficult decisions like promising to prioritize the gnawers for the cure if it exists, showing diplomatic responsibility. Her compassion is most evident when she comforts Hazard after his father’s death, relating her own parental loss to create connection. She offers him a home in Regalia and the prospect of a sisterly bond, patiently addressing his grief while providing practical solutions. Her gesture of giving her crown to the mice as a token of future aid further demonstrates her compassionate leadership style.2. What significant ethical dilemma arises regarding the origin of the plague, and how might this impact Underland society?
Answer:
The chapter reveals the plague may have been caused by humans, creating a moral crisis. As Nike explains, this revelation will cause shame among human allies and fuel existing prejudices from their enemies. The ethical dilemma lies in confronting systemic human wrongdoing rather than individual actions - similar to how Gregor previously viewed rats as “the bad guys.” This challenges the moral hierarchy of Underland society, potentially destabilizing alliances and justifying anti-human sentiment. The situation mirrors real-world historical patterns where collective blame leads to social tension, suggesting long-term political consequences.3. Analyze how Gregor’s perspective on Underland politics evolves in this chapter.
Answer:
Gregor undergoes significant political disillusionment as he grapples with the possibility of human culpability for the plague. Previously viewing humans as generally reasonable (despite their trial of him) and rats as inherently antagonistic, he now recognizes humans’ capacity for systemic harm. His internal reflection about the flea powder incident shows growing awareness of institutional prejudice. This development complicates his identity as someone with “natural kinship” to Underland humans, forcing him to confront uncomfortable parallels between human and rat behaviors. The realization that “no one will truly be surprised” by human wrongdoing particularly shakes his worldview.4. How does the chapter use contrasting imagery to process grief and loss?
Answer:
The text employs stark contrasts between movement/stasis and natural/ritual elements to process death. The hurried departure (“Get on your flier and go!”) contrasts with Hamnet and Frill’s permanent stillness in the jungle. Ripred’s pragmatic view of their bodies becoming part of the ecosystem (“they’ll be in a good place”) contrasts with Gregor’s need for proper burial rites. Similarly, Hazard’s active sobbing is juxtaposed with Luxa’s quiet, practical comfort. These contrasts create a nuanced portrayal of grief - acknowledging both its raw emotionality and the necessary forward motion of survival, particularly in crisis situations.5. What strategic considerations influence the characters’ travel plans, and what does this reveal about Underland logistics?
Answer:
Travel decisions reflect practical constraints and evolving priorities. Ripred chooses the ants’ trail for its cleared vegetation, showing adaptation to environmental conditions. The inability to fly earlier (due to weight limitations with rats and Frill) versus the current urgent flight highlights how circumstances dictate transportation methods. Nike’s revelation about circling aimlessly earlier underscores how prophecy interpretation previously guided their movements, whereas now empirical evidence (the cure theory) drives them. These details reveal Underland’s complex travel logistics, where physical limitations, information availability, and changing objectives dynamically shape movement strategies.
Quotes
1. ““If there is … on my word, the gnawers will be served first,” said Luxa.”
This quote marks a significant moment of potential reconciliation between humans and gnawers (rats), showing Luxa’s willingness to prioritize their needs if a cure exists. It represents a turning point in interspecies tensions within the Underland.
2. ““Like when my mother left me. She didn’t want to go, either. But she had to.” He tilted his head down, and the tears slid down his cheeks and onto the stones.”
Hazard’s poignant realization about loss connects personal grief with the chapter’s broader themes of sacrifice and unintended consequences. The imagery of tears on stones emphasizes the Underland’s harsh reality.
3. ““The same thing happened with my parents. They both died, too,” said Luxa. […] “I was thinking that if you would come back to Regalia with me, it would be like I did [have a brother].””
This exchange shows Luxa’s growth as she offers familial comfort to Hazard, mirroring Gregor’s protective relationship with Boots. It highlights how shared trauma creates bonds in the Underland’s brutal world.
4. ““The awful thing, is … no one will truly be surprised.””
Nike’s observation about human culpability in the plague reveals a deep-seated mistrust between Underland species. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central conflict about moral responsibility and reputation.
5. ““I could have been to Regalia and back ten times.””
Gregor’s frustrated reflection on time lost emphasizes the urgency of their mission while underscoring the theme of hindsight. This regret ties into the larger narrative about the costs of war and the value of time.