Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Chapter 9
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 9, a basket containing six unusually large, frightened mouse pups is discovered in the river by the Underlanders. The mice, described as pink with gray fuzz, are initially cared for by Boots and Hazard, who feed them bread and communicate with them through squeaks. The Underlanders, particularly Vikus and Mareth, express concern over the basket’s origin, recognizing it as one used to send gifts to the nibblers near the Fount. The mice’s survival is deemed miraculous given the river’s violent currents, prompting questions about why their mother would place them in such peril. Hazard reveals the mother acted out of fear, though the exact threat remains unclear.
The mice are moved to the old nursery, where Dulcet, the nanny, creates a safe nest for them. She comforts the pups with food and lullabies, while Boots and Hazard join in, forming a peaceful scene. Meanwhile, Luxa confides in Gregor, urging him to investigate the nibbler colony near the Fount, suspecting a dire threat. Gregor resists, but Luxa draws a parallel to his own actions in the jungle, where he sent Boots away to safety. This comparison forces Gregor to acknowledge the mother’s desperation, and he reluctantly agrees to accompany Luxa. The chapter underscores the growing tension and mystery surrounding the nibblers’ plight.
Preparations for the journey begin, with Luxa and Gregor planning to leave the next morning under the guise of a picnic. Gregor gathers supplies, including flashlights, batteries, and binoculars, while Luxa arranges for their departure. The chapter highlights the characters’ exhaustion and emotional strain, particularly Luxa, whose reddened eyes hint at her grief over recent events. The urgency of their mission is tempered by logistical challenges, such as ensuring their bats, Aurora and Ares, are rested and finding a legitimate route to avoid suspicion.
The chapter closes with a sense of foreboding as Gregor and Luxa set out to uncover the truth behind the mice’s abandonment. The discovery of the basket and the mice’s fearful state suggest a larger crisis affecting the nibblers, possibly endangering their entire species. Luxa’s determination and Gregor’s reluctant involvement set the stage for a perilous journey, with the fate of the nibblers hanging in the balance. The emotional weight of recent losses and the unknown dangers ahead create a tense atmosphere, leaving readers anticipating the next steps in their quest.
FAQs
1. What significant discovery do the characters make at the beginning of the chapter, and why is it concerning?
Answer:
The characters discover a basket containing six baby mice (referred to as “nibblers”) that was pulled from the river. This is concerning because the basket is one typically used by the Underlanders to send gifts of grain to nibbler colonies, suggesting these are domesticated mice rather than wild ones. The babies were left in a fragile vessel on a dangerous river with powerful currents, indicating their mother acted out of desperation. The Underlanders interpret this as a sign of some grave danger threatening the nibbler colony near the Fount, similar to recent troubles faced by the jungle colony.2. How does Hazard demonstrate his unique abilities in this chapter, and what role does he play in the story?
Answer:
Hazard shows his ability to communicate with the baby mice through squeaking sounds that mimic their language. He translates that their mother placed them in the basket due to some frightening event, though the details remain unclear. This skill makes him invaluable as a bridge between humans and nibblers. Vikus assigns Hazard to periodically visit the mice to facilitate communication, demonstrating how his gift serves a practical diplomatic purpose in the Underland’s interspecies relations.3. Analyze Luxa’s argument for investigating the nibbler colony. What persuasive techniques does she use with Gregor?
Answer:
Luxa employs both logical and emotional appeals. Logically, she connects the abandoned mouse babies to Gregor’s own experience sending Boots away during the cutter attack, helping him understand the mother’s desperation. Emotionally, she highlights the potential widespread danger to all nibblers and her personal need for support (“I do not know if Aurora and I can face this alone”). She also critiques the council’s slow response time, creating urgency. Her multifaceted approach ultimately sways Gregor by appealing to his protective instincts and sense of responsibility.4. What preparations do Gregor and Luxa make for their journey to the nibbler colony, and what do these choices reveal about their characters?
Answer:
They plan to leave at dawn under the guise of a picnic to carry supplies legitimately, showing Luxa’s strategic thinking. Gregor gathers practical survival items (flashlights, batteries, water) in the museum, reflecting his Earth-born preparedness and trauma from past adventures. His addition of binoculars—though impractical in the dark Underland—reveals his lingering connection to surface-world logic. These preparations highlight their complementary traits: Luxa’s knowledge of Underland politics and Gregor’s resourcefulness, while also showing how Gregor still sometimes misjudges what tools will be useful in this environment.5. How does the chapter use the contrast between the nursery’s atmosphere and the broader events to develop tension?
Answer:
The nursery scene creates a temporary oasis of comfort—Dulcet sings lullabies, the children and mice snuggle together, and the carved animal songs lighten the mood. This warmth starkly contrasts with the ominous implications of the mice’s arrival and the impending dangerous journey. The sleeping baby mouse’s distressed cries pierce this calm, reminding readers of the unresolved crisis. This juxtaposition heightens tension by showing what’s at stake (the vulnerability of children and creatures) while foreshadowing the darkness lurking beyond Regalia’s safety.
Quotes
1. ““If someone wanted to kill them, this seems an elaborate way to do it,” said Vikus. “Who would go to the trouble to place them in the basket and set it on the river?””
This quote highlights the mystery and urgency surrounding the discovery of the baby mice. Vikus’s rhetorical question underscores the deliberate yet desperate act of their mother, foreshadowing a larger threat to the nibblers (mouse-like creatures) in the Underland.
2. ““You can think of no reason you might place Boots in a basket and leave her to the fate of the waters?” Luxa insisted.”
Luxa challenges Gregor to empathize with the mother mouse’s impossible choice, drawing a parallel to his own past actions to protect Boots. This moment is pivotal as it shifts Gregor’s perspective and compels him to join Luxa’s mission.
3. ““Something is very wrong if both the nibblers in the jungle and the ones at the Fount are in trouble. Perhaps every nibbler in the Underland is in peril. I need your help, Gregor,” said Luxa.”
Here, Luxa articulates the chapter’s central conflict: the widespread danger facing the nibblers. Her plea to Gregor marks a turning point in their strained relationship and sets the stage for their next journey.
4. ““They will do nothing. Not without days of deliberation,” said Luxa. “I do not know if Aurora and I can face this alone. Please.””
This quote critiques the Underlanders’ bureaucratic inertia while revealing Luxa’s vulnerability. Her rare use of “please” underscores the gravity of the situation and finally persuades Gregor to act.
5. “Inside the nursery one of the mouse babies had begun to cry out in its sleep.”
This haunting detail bookends the chapter’s emotional core, reminding readers of the innocent lives at stake. The babies’ distress symbolizes the larger tragedy unfolding in the Underland.