Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 14
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 14, Gregor and his companions stumble upon a grim scene in the Underland: a graveyard of dead mice, their bodies strewn across the tunnel floor. Boots innocently mistakes them for sleeping, prompting Gregor to quickly dim the fireflies’ light to shield her and Hazard from the horrific sight. The group lands further ahead, leaving Howard to care for the younger ones while Gregor, Luxa, and Zap return to investigate. The stench of decay is overwhelming, and they discover the mice were driven off a cliff, likely by rats, with no survivors initially apparent. The brutality of the scene leaves even the usually indifferent Zap disturbed.
Luxa and Gregor debate how to honor the dead, but practical constraints—lack of resources and time—prevent proper burial or cremation. Instead, they carve a symbolic mark, the scythe of secret, into the cliff as a warning and memorial. Luxa then delivers a solemn vow of vengeance, her formal oath highlighting her role as Regalia’s future queen and her deep connection to the Underland’s conflicts. Gregor feels both moved and alienated by her intensity, recognizing the cultural divide between them. The oath reverberates through the tunnel, drawing unseen creatures’ attention, and Luxa’s enigmatic smile hints at her awareness of their audience.
Their search reveals one surviving mouse, Cartesian, whom they rush to Howard for treatment. Luxa stays behind to ensure no other mice are alive, while Gregor and Ares assist. Howard tends to Cartesian’s injuries, setting broken bones and administering medicine. Boots, eager to help, sings soothing songs to comfort the wounded mouse, blending tunes from their home world with Underland melodies. The chapter underscores the group’s resilience and compassion amid tragedy, as well as the growing tension between Luxa’s duty and Gregor’s outsider perspective.
The chapter closes with Gregor struggling to wash away the lingering smell of death, haunted by the images of the fallen mice. The encounter leaves a lasting impact, foreshadowing future conflicts and Luxa’s unwavering commitment to justice. The blend of horror, duty, and fleeting hope encapsulates the Underland’s harsh realities, while the characters’ responses reveal their evolving roles in the unfolding crisis. The chapter sets the stage for deeper exploration of vengeance, loyalty, and the cost of leadership in a war-torn world.
FAQs
1. What was Gregor’s immediate reaction upon discovering the dead mice, and why did he act this way?
Answer:
Gregor’s immediate reaction was to shout “Kill the lights!” to the fireflies and prevent Boots from seeing the dead mice. He recognized that the mice were not sleeping but dead, with some lying in pools of blood and others staring lifelessly. Gregor wanted to shield Boots from this traumatic sight, understanding that it would distress her. His quick action to darken the area and avoid directing his flashlight at the ground demonstrates his protective instincts toward his younger sister and his awareness of the psychological impact such a scene could have on a child.2. How does Luxa’s formal pledge to avenge the mice reveal her character development and the political implications of this event?
Answer:
Luxa’s pledge marks a significant moment in her transition from a young girl searching for her friends to a future queen preparing to lead Regalia’s armies. The ritualistic nature of her oath (“UPON THIS CROWN MY PLEDGE I GIVE…”) shows her commitment to vengeance and justice, reflecting her deep emotional connection to the nibblers (mice) and her sense of royal responsibility. This moment also highlights the political tension between humans and gnawers (rats), foreshadowing future conflict. Gregor’s observation that she becomes “the future head of Regalia” underscores how this event solidifies her leadership role and the gravity of her pledge.3. What practical and ethical challenges do the characters face when dealing with the dead mice, and how do they resolve them?
Answer:
The characters face several challenges: they cannot bury the mice in stone due to lack of manpower, cannot burn them without sufficient fuel, and cannot place them in water without polluting their drinking supply. Ethically, they struggle with leaving the bodies without any memorial. Their solution—carving the mark of the scythe (a symbol of secret) into the cliff—serves as both a warning and a tribute. This compromise reflects their limited resources while honoring the dead. Luxa’s emotional oath adds a layer of moral resolution, turning their helplessness into a vow for justice.4. How does the discovery of the surviving mouse, Cartesian, change the dynamics of the group’s mission and their emotional state?
Answer:
Finding Cartesian provides a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy, shifting the group’s focus from mourning to rescue and healing. Howard’s meticulous care—setting Cartesian’s broken leg, treating his wounds, and reviving him with food and water—shows their commitment to saving lives. Boots’ involvement in singing Cartesian to sleep adds a tender, humanizing element, contrasting with the earlier horror. This survivor also offers potential clues about the mice’s fate, though his injuries limit immediate answers. The group’s collective effort to help Cartesian reinforces their unity and compassion.5. What symbolic significance does the reaction of the unseen creatures in Hades Hall have to Luxa’s oath?
Answer:
The faint whispers, buzzes, and rustling wings of hidden creatures suggest that Luxa’s oath has resonated with the Underland’s inhabitants, amplifying its impact. Her smile at their reaction implies that her pledge is not just personal but a rallying cry for broader resistance against the gnawers. This moment symbolizes how her words have political weight, potentially uniting other species against the rats’ cruelty. The unseen audience also underscores the Underland’s interconnectedness, where even secret acts are witnessed, and justice is a collective concern.
Quotes
1. “Kill the lights!” Gregor shouted at the fireflies. In another few seconds even Boots would realize that the mice were not sleeping but dead.
This quote captures the immediate horror and urgency of the scene where Gregor and his companions discover the massacre of the mice. It highlights Gregor’s protective instinct toward Boots and the brutal reality of the Underland’s conflicts.
2. “UPON THIS CROWN MY PLEDGE I GIVE. TO MY LAST BREATH, I HOLD THIS CHOICE. I WILL YOUR UNJUST DEATHS AVENGE, ALL HERE WHO DIED WITHOUT A VOICE.”
Luxa’s formal oath of vengeance is a pivotal moment in the chapter, showcasing her transformation from a young girl into a determined leader. The ritualistic language underscores the gravity of her commitment and foreshadows future conflict with the rats.
3. “It will be a warning to any that follow us,” she said. “And it will be a fitting marker for the nibblers’ graves.”
Luxa and Gregor mark the cliff with the symbol of the scythe, a secret sign of rebellion. This act symbolizes both remembrance and defiance, tying the chapter’s themes of loss and resolve together.
4. “What a waste. What a waste. I do not pretend to like the nibblers, but what a waste.”
Zap the firefly’s reaction to the massacre reflects the senseless brutality of the event. Even a typically indifferent character is moved, emphasizing the tragedy’s impact on all who witness it.
5. “Gregor could no longer see Luxa the twelve-year-old girl who’d been searching for clues about her mouse friends. What he saw was the future head of Regalia, and its considerable armies, and that the rats were somehow going to pay with their blood.”
This moment marks a turning point in Gregor’s perception of Luxa, highlighting her growing role as a leader and the inevitability of war. It underscores the chapter’s theme of maturation and the heavy burdens of leadership.