Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 17
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 17, Gregor and his companions face a life-threatening encounter with two enormous scorpions in the Underland. The creatures, measuring ten and twelve feet long, wield deadly stingers and pinchers, forcing the group to evade their attacks. Gregor struggles to defend himself while holding his curious younger sister, Boots, who mistakes the scorpions for spiders. The bats maneuver frantically to avoid the scorpions’ tails, but the situation grows dire as Howard and Luxa are unable to mount an effective counterattack due to their precarious positions and the need to protect others.
Boots’ innocent fascination with the scorpions adds tension when she spots baby scorpions on the smaller creature’s back, revealing the scorpion is a protective mother. Her attempt to sing “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” leads to disaster as she loses her grip and falls from the bat’s back. Ares rescues her, but the commotion causes Thalia and Temp to tumble to the ground. The mother scorpion swiftly pins Thalia, poised to kill her with its stinger. Hazard leaps to Thalia’s defense, pleading for the others not to attack and attempting to communicate with the scorpion using hissing sounds.
Hazard’s efforts to negotiate with the scorpion create a momentary standstill. Recognizing the scorpion’s confusion, Gregor suggests trying Spider language, and Hazard switches to drumming and vibrating sounds. Temp joins in with Cockroach speech, while Boots eagerly contributes her own mix of clicks and English. The scorpion hesitates, seemingly baffled by the barrage of communication attempts. Boots’ energetic babbling becomes the focal point, as her innocence and persistence might hold the key to diffusing the confrontation.
The chapter highlights the group’s desperation and ingenuity in the face of overwhelming danger. Hazard’s bravery and linguistic skills, combined with Boots’ unintentional diplomacy, offer a glimmer of hope. The scene underscores the theme of communication as a tool for survival, even among seemingly hostile creatures. The outcome remains uncertain, but the characters’ willingness to explore nonviolent solutions reflects their growth and adaptability in the Underland’s perilous environment.
FAQs
1. What are the key dangers posed by the scorpions in this chapter, and how do the characters initially attempt to combat them?
Answer:
The scorpions present multiple lethal threats: their massive size (10-12 feet long), powerful pincers, and venomous stingers capable of killing humans with a single strike. Gregor notes their armored bodies and multiple eyes add to their intimidating appearance. The characters initially try to fight by severing the scorpions’ tails (Howard’s strategy) and dodging attacks, but they struggle due to poor positioning (Luxa facing backward), distractions (Boots wiggling), and inability to draw weapons effectively. Gregor’s attempt to attack fails because he’s preoccupied with protecting Boots, highlighting their disorganized and ineffective initial response.2. How does Boots’ innocent perspective create both problems and unexpected solutions during the scorpion encounter?
Answer:
Boots’ childlike misinterpretation of the scorpions as “spiders” initially creates danger by distracting Gregor and causing her to release her grip during her “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” hand motions, leading to her fall. However, her observation about the “baby” scorpions on the mother’s back proves crucial—it reveals the scorpion’s protective maternal instincts. Later, her insistence on communicating (“Let me talk!”) and multilingual babbling (mixing English with clicking sounds) contributes to the nonviolent resolution, suggesting children’s perspectives can sometimes defuse tensions that adults approach combatively.3. Analyze how Hazard’s actions demonstrate character development and thematic elements in this scene.
Answer:
Hazard shows remarkable growth by prioritizing communication over violence—he physically interposes himself between Thalia and the scorpion, then insists everyone sheath weapons. His attempt to speak Hisser (learned from Frill) and later collaborate with Temp and Boots reflects the theme of cross-species understanding. Unlike the warriors’ instinct to fight, Hazard’s compassion creates space for diplomacy. His actions mirror Gregor’s earlier protective instincts toward Boots, showing how younger characters often model alternative solutions to conflict in the narrative.4. What tactical disadvantages does Gregor’s group face in this battle, and how do these challenges affect their strategy?
Answer:
The group suffers multiple disadvantages: 1) Limited mobility (Gregor fighting one-handed while holding Boots, Luxa unbalanced while protecting Hazard), 2) Poor visibility until Luxa finds the second flashlight, 3) Cartesian’s panic requiring Howard’s attention, and 4) Emotional vulnerability (Gregor can’t enter “rager” state due to absurdity of the situation rather than fear). These constraints force them to abandon direct combat—after failed sword attempts and Thalia’s near-death, they shift to Hazard’s linguistic approach, showing how battlefield chaos sometimes necessitates unconventional tactics.5. How does the chapter use sensory details to enhance the tension and realism of the scorpion encounter?
Answer:
Collins employs vivid sensory descriptions to immerse readers: visual details like the “foot-long stinger” whizzing by and the scorpion’s “five pairs of eyes,” tactile elements (Boots squeezing Gregor’s breath away, the “armor shell” on the scorpion’s body), and auditory cues (Hazard’s hissing sounds, Thalia’s “piteous cry”). The chaotic motion of Aurora’s rolls and sudden falls (Thalia/Temp’s “thud” on stone) create kinetic tension. These details ground the fantastical creatures in physical reality while amplifying the scene’s urgency, making the eventual shift to dialogue feel earned.
Quotes
1. “Whatever kind of venom these scorpions were packing, Gregor was sure one shot would be enough to finish off any of his party.”
This quote highlights the extreme danger the group faces from the giant scorpions, setting the tone for the intense battle scene. It underscores the life-or-death stakes and Gregor’s awareness of their vulnerability.
2. “The only thing worse than fighting a giant scorpion was fighting a giant scorpion who was trying to protect her young.”
This insight reveals Gregor’s realization of their precarious situation, as maternal instincts make the scorpion even more dangerous. It adds psychological depth to the physical threat they face.
3. “‘No!’ shrieked Hazard. ‘No!’ He wrenched himself free of Luxa and leaped off Aurora’s back… ‘Don’t! Don’t attack her!’ he said frantically. ‘No one attack!’”
This moment marks a critical turning point where Hazard intervenes to prevent violence, demonstrating his compassion and setting up the attempt at communication. It shifts the chapter from combat to diplomacy.
4. “Boots rattled on for about a minute, gesturing to the babies… It was so frenetic, Hazard and Temp left off and let her go.”
This quote shows Boots’ unique ability to bridge communication gaps, highlighting how her innocent, enthusiastic approach might succeed where others fail. It represents an unexpected solution emerging from childish spontaneity.