Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 21
by Suzanne, Collins,The chapter begins with Gregor and his companions caught in a chaotic windstorm within an Underland cavern. A sudden blast of air slams them against the ceiling, pinning Gregor, Cartesian, and the bat Nike in place. As the winds shift, they are propelled violently through tunnels before being flung into a vast open space. Gregor is separated from Nike and tossed between competing air currents, feeling utterly helpless. Despite the disorientation, he manages to keep hold of his flashlight, catching glimpses of the others equally at the mercy of the storm.
Gregor initially panics, struggling against the unpredictable winds until Ripred, the rat, advises him to stop fighting the currents. Reluctantly, Gregor relaxes his body and discovers he can ride the air streams like a leaf on the wind. The sensation of flying fills him with exhilaration, and he revels in the newfound freedom. However, his joy is short-lived as Ripred reminds him to check on the others. Gregor observes that Luxa has mastered the winds, carrying Boots effortlessly, while the bats—especially Ares—struggle with their wings catching multiple currents.
Realizing the bats are in danger, Gregor impulsively tries to help Ares, but Ripred intervenes, dragging him toward a cave to form a safe base. The rat uses his tail as a makeshift rope to pull Luxa and Boots to safety. Gregor distracts Boots by assigning her a pretend scouting role with his binoculars, keeping her occupied while they strategize. Ripred positions himself at the cave entrance, ready to rescue the remaining companions as Gregor signals with his flashlight.
The chapter highlights the group’s adaptability in the face of chaos, with Gregor learning to surrender control and trust the environment. Ripred’s leadership proves crucial as they work together to navigate the deadly winds. The bats’ vulnerability contrasts with the humans’ ability to adapt, underscoring the unpredictability of the Underland. The chapter ends with the team regrouping, poised to rescue the others while Boots innocently narrates her observations, unaware of the danger.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor initially react to being caught in the wind currents, and what important lesson does he learn about navigating them?
Answer:
Gregor initially panics and tries to fight against the wind currents, tensing his muscles and struggling to gain control. This leaves him battered and disoriented as the winds toss him around. He learns a crucial lesson when Ripred shouts, “Stop fighting!” Gregor realizes that by relaxing his body and stretching out his limbs, he can ride the currents instead of resisting them. This revelation allows him to move more smoothly and even enjoy the sensation of flying. The chapter emphasizes the theme of adaptability, showing that sometimes surrendering to forces beyond one’s control is more effective than resisting them.2. Compare and contrast how different characters adapt to the wind currents. What does this reveal about their personalities or abilities?
Answer:
The characters adapt to the wind currents in distinct ways, reflecting their personalities and skills. Luxa masters the currents quickly, even maneuvering between them with Boots on her back, showcasing her agility and leadership. Ripred uses his rat-like flexibility to glide smoothly, demonstrating his experience and strategic thinking. The bats, particularly Ares, struggle the most because their large wings catch multiple currents, making navigation difficult—this highlights their instinct to control flight rather than surrender to the winds. Gregor’s journey from panic to exhilaration mirrors his growth in adaptability. These differences underscore how each character’s inherent traits affect their ability to handle unexpected challenges.3. What role does Ripred play in guiding the group to safety, and how does his approach reflect his character?
Answer:
Ripred takes charge by formulating a plan to land and create a “base” for the group. He maneuvers Gregor to the cave wall, using his tail as a makeshift rope to pull others to safety. His pragmatic approach—asking if Gregor has a rope, then improvising with his tail—reflects his resourcefulness and no-nonsense attitude. Ripred’s disgust at Gregor’s lack of trust (“A little trust, please”) also reveals his gruff but caring nature. While he appears cynical, his actions show dedication to the group’s survival, reinforcing his role as a reluctant but capable leader in crises.4. Analyze the significance of Gregor’s moment of exhilaration while flying. How does this contrast with his earlier fears?
Answer:
Gregor’s exhilaration (“I’m flying!”) marks a turning point where he transitions from fear to empowerment. Earlier, he panics about falling and feels helpless, comparing himself to a snapped kite string. However, once he learns to ride the currents, he experiences a “sense of power” and freedom, even whooping with joy. This contrast highlights his character growth: embracing uncertainty leads to mastery rather than paralysis. The moment also foreshadows his potential as a hero in the Underland, as he realizes that adaptability can overcome fear. It’s a rare instance of joy in a perilous journey, emphasizing resilience.5. How does the author use sensory details to immerse the reader in the windstorm scene? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The author vividly depicts the chaos of the windstorm through sensory details. Tactile imagery describes Gregor being “pinned between the bat and the stone,” feeling his backpack’s items “cutting into his back.” Visual details like the “misty” airstreams and their “faint white light” create an eerie atmosphere. Kinetic phrases—”shot like a bullet,” “swirling like leaves”—convey the disorienting motion. Auditory elements include the “roar of the winds” drowning out Ripred’s voice. These details immerse the reader in the characters’ visceral experience, making the scene both thrilling and tense. The description of Boots giggling (“Temp is big. Temp is small”) adds a touch of innocence, contrasting with the danger.
Quotes
1. “He felt like a kite being flown in a storm. A kite whose string had snapped that had no hope of being reeled in.”
This vivid simile captures Gregor’s helplessness as he’s tossed by the chaotic Underland air currents. It represents a key moment of vulnerability before he learns to adapt to his environment.
2. “Stop fighting!… If he didn’t fight the current, he could ride it.”
Ripred’s advice and Gregor’s subsequent realization form the chapter’s central lesson about surrendering control to master impossible circumstances. This marks a turning point where Gregor transitions from panic to empowerment.
3. “This was nothing like riding the bats, where he was merely a passenger. This was just Gregor zooming around in the air like a superhero.”
This quote highlights Gregor’s exhilarating discovery of personal agency in the Underland. The contrast between passive transportation and active flight represents a significant character growth moment.
4. “Those long, beautiful bat wings were not an asset in this situation… every time their wings opened even a foot or two, they’d get spun around like a top.”
This ironic observation shows how the bats’ greatest strengths become liabilities in the wind tunnels, emphasizing the chapter’s theme about adapting to unpredictable challenges.
5. “We have to land! Form a base!”
Ripred’s strategic command shifts the narrative from individual survival to collective rescue. This pragmatic approach contrasts with Gregor’s initial panic and represents the transition to problem-solving mode.