Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 3
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 3, Gregor is confronted by Ripred, who insists that the Bane—a troubled white rat—must be killed. Gregor is shocked, believing the Bane’s violent behavior stems from trauma and could be managed with guidance. He recalls the rat’s distress after Razor’s death and questions whether execution is justified. Ripred, however, argues that the situation is urgent and cites a prophecy, “The Prophecy of Time,” which he interprets as requiring Gregor to kill the Bane. Gregor is skeptical, as he’s unaware of this prophecy, but Ripred pressures him to comply, warning him not to involve Vikus or the council.
Gregor reluctantly agrees to meet Ripred the next day, though he’s uneasy about the plan. He feels manipulated and unsettled by the idea of secretly killing the Bane. As Ripred disappears, Gregor’s mind races with conflicting emotions. He returns to Regalia, where his thoughts are interrupted by Howard, who greets him at the hospital. Howard, now training as a doctor, shows Gregor his mother’s progress—she’s sitting up for the first time since falling ill. Despite her weak state, her humor and determination lift Gregor’s spirits, offering a brief respite from his turmoil.
Gregor’s mother inquires about his distracted demeanor, sensing his unease. He avoids revealing Ripred’s plan, instead updating her on family matters like Lizzie’s camp and their home life. Howard’s timely return with medicine allows Gregor to escape further questioning. He leaves to find Luxa and Boots, hoping to distract himself from the moral dilemma posed by Ripred. The chapter highlights Gregor’s internal conflict between his role as the warrior and his personal ethics, as well as his desire to protect his family from the Underland’s harsh realities.
The chapter ends with Gregor seeking solace in his friends, though the weight of Ripred’s demand lingers. His mother’s recovery and Howard’s dedication provide moments of hope, but the looming task of killing the Bane casts a shadow over his thoughts. The juxtaposition of familial warmth and moral ambiguity underscores Gregor’s struggle to balance duty with compassion, setting the stage for further tension in the story.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor initially react to Ripred’s suggestion to kill the Bane, and what reasoning does he use to justify his opposition?
Answer:
Gregor reacts with shock and reluctance to Ripred’s suggestion, believing the Bane needs counseling or supervision rather than execution. He rationalizes that the Bane’s violent behavior stems from trauma (evidenced by the rat’s crying and tail-sucking) and didn’t intend to kill Razor. Gregor also compares the Bane’s actions to natural rat behavior, noting that cannibalism and infighting occur among spiders and rats in the Underland. As someone struggling to control his own rage, Gregor views the death sentence as excessively harsh, reflecting his empathy and moral conflict (e.g., “condemning the white rat to death seemed pretty harsh”).2. What is Ripred’s justification for insisting Gregor must kill the Bane, and how does this reveal the role of prophecies in the Underland’s society?
Answer:
Riped cites “The Prophecy of Time” as his justification, claiming it foretells Gregor must kill the Bane. This highlights how prophecies dictate actions in the Underland, even when their details are withheld (Gregor hadn’t heard of this prophecy). Ripred’s secrecy—ordering Gregor not to tell Vikus—shows how prophecies create moral dilemmas and manipulate individuals. The rats’ council distrusts Ripred, and Vikus’s guilt over the plague renders him “useless,” illustrating how prophecies polarize leaders and limit choices. Ripred’s interpretation drives the plot, emphasizing prophecies as tools for control.3. Analyze Gregor’s internal conflict in this chapter. How do his interactions with Howard and his mother contrast with his dilemma about the Bane?
Answer:
Gregor’s conflict centers on his warrior role versus his morality. With Ripred, he masks his dissent (“I’ll see you then”) to avoid confrontation, but his thoughts reveal turmoil over murder. Conversely, with Howard and his mother, he displays warmth and normalcy—joking about her recovery, praising Howard’s medical skills. His mother’s question (“What’s the matter?”) and her worry over his role as warrior underscore the tension between his Underland duties and his family’s hopes for his future. The contrast emphasizes Gregor’s struggle to reconcile violence with compassion.4. How does the chapter use Gregor’s mother’s recovery to juxtapose hope and foreshadowing?
Answer:
Gregor’s mother’s progress (sitting up, attempting to walk) symbolizes hope after the plague’s devastation, mirrored by Howard’s optimism. However, her scar-rubbing habit and concern for Gregor’s distracted mood hint at lingering trauma. This parallels Gregor’s situation: while his family recovers, Ripred’s plan introduces new violence. The mother’s joke about rearranging furniture—a mundane wish—contrasts with Gregor’s impending mission, foreshadowing that his “warrior” role will disrupt their fragile stability. The scene underscores how hope coexists with looming conflict.5. Evaluate Ripred’s manipulation tactics in this chapter. How does he leverage Gregor’s sense of duty and the prophecy’s ambiguity?
Answer:
Ripred employs urgency (“we can’t afford to wait”), isolation (“don’t tell anyone”), and appeals to destiny (“the prophecy says”). He exploits Gregor’s warrior identity by framing the Bane’s death as inevitable, yet the prophecy’s vagueness (“my interpretation”) suggests Ripred may be bending its meaning. By dismissing Vikus and the council, Ripred positions himself as Gregor’s sole guide, capitalizing on Gregor’s trust from past quests. His tactics reveal how authority figures in the Underland use prophecies to justify morally questionable acts while limiting dissent.
Quotes
1. “Kill him?” asked Gregor in shock. He was thinking more along the lines that the Bane needed some sort of counseling or to be placed under some kind of watch.”
This quote captures Gregor’s moral dilemma and compassionate nature, contrasting sharply with Ripred’s ruthless pragmatism. It sets up the central conflict of the chapter regarding the Bane’s fate.
2. “Because of the prophecy… It’s called ‘The Prophecy of Time.’”
This revelation introduces a new prophecy as the driving force behind Ripred’s urgency to kill the Bane, expanding the story’s mythological framework and raising stakes for Gregor’s role as the Warrior.
3. “Gregor pressed his lips together. To argue with Ripred now would be pointless… Because if there was one thing he did not feel right about, it was secretly teaming up with Ripred in some cave and basically murdering the Bane.”
This internal monologue reveals Gregor’s growing discomfort with his role and the ethical boundaries he’s being asked to cross, showing his moral development and foreshadowing future conflict.
4. “This is most excellent… Every day a little more and you will have your strength back in no time.”
Howard’s encouragement to Gregor’s recovering mother provides a tender counterpoint to the chapter’s darker themes, showing the ongoing impact of the plague and the resilience of the characters.
5. “Your head is somewhere else today… What’s the matter, Gregor?”
Gregor’s mother’s perceptive question highlights the emotional burden he carries, torn between his Underland responsibilities and his family relationships, a recurring tension in the series.