Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Chapter 13
by Suzanne, Collins,The chapter opens with Luxa reprimanding Gregor for getting into trouble during his absence, while Mareth expresses anger at Luxa’s disobedience for joining the dangerous journey. Luxa defends her decision, stating it’s too late to turn back, but Mareth warns of the consequences if she dies, leaving Nerissa as Regalia’s ruler. Tensions rise when Luxa accuses Howard of tormenting Nerissa, referencing an incident involving a lizard. Howard vehemently denies the accusation, blaming Henry’s influence on Luxa’s suspicions. The argument highlights lingering distrust among the group, exacerbated by past betrayals.
Gregor, recovering from a venomous squid attack, learns Howard saved his arm by extracting the poison. He admits fault for falling asleep during guard duty, but Mareth emphasizes the critical importance of vigilance. Luxa and Howard’s conflict continues, revealing deeper familial tensions, particularly Luxa’s unresolved feelings about Henry’s treachery. Meanwhile, Boots lightens the mood with her playful antics, providing a brief respite from the group’s strained dynamics. Gregor reflects on his exhaustion and the challenges ahead, feeling unprepared for their mission to confront the Bane.
As the group pauses for dinner, Gregor realizes he’s been unconscious for two days, leaving him anxious about their progress. He attempts echolocation practice but struggles to focus, distracted by thoughts of his uncontrollable aggression during battles. Luxa sharpens her sword, expressing grim doubts about their survival. When Gregor questions her motives for joining the mission, she cites loyalty to him and Ares, but her evasiveness suggests deeper personal reasons. The chapter underscores the group’s emotional and physical burdens as they navigate danger and unresolved conflicts.
The chapter closes with Gregor sensing Luxa’s unspoken motivations, hinting at her inner turmoil. Their conversation remains unfinished, leaving room for further exploration of her character. The group’s tensions, combined with the looming threat of the Bane, create a sense of urgency and unease. Gregor’s introspection about his violent impulses adds a layer of psychological complexity, foreshadowing potential challenges in their mission. The interplay of personal conflicts and external dangers drives the narrative forward, setting the stage for future confrontations.
FAQs
1. What are the key tensions between Luxa and Howard in this chapter, and what do they reveal about their characters?
Answer:
The tension stems from Luxa’s accusation that Howard tormented Nerissa and desires the crown, referencing an incident where he allegedly set a lizard on her. Howard vehemently denies this, pointing out Luxa’s blind trust in Henry’s words (now revealed as a traitor). This clash reveals Luxa’s lingering trauma from Henry’s betrayal and her tendency to judge others harshly, while Howard demonstrates frustration at being unfairly labeled. Their exchange also highlights the political undercurrents in Regalia, where trust is scarce due to past betrayals. Luxa’s sharp retort about Nerissa ruling if she dies (“never you and your wretched sister!”) shows her protective instincts but also her impulsiveness, while Howard’s defense reveals his wounded pride and commitment to truth.2. How does Gregor’s failure to stay on guard reflect broader themes of responsibility and consequences in the story?
Answer:
Gregor’s admission that he fell asleep on guard duty—leading to the squid attack—carries significant weight. Mareth emphasizes that their survival and the fate of “many” depend on vigilance, underscoring the high stakes of their mission. Unlike Howard (who downplays the mistake as inexperience), Luxa and Mareth, both battle-hardened, view Gregor’s lapse as inexcusable. This mirrors the novel’s recurring theme that actions in the Underworld have dire consequences. Gregor’s guilt and subsequent self-doubt (comparing himself to werewolves and mentally unstable people) further show how the pressure to fulfill his role as a warrior weighs on him, blurring the line between duty and compulsion.3. Analyze the significance of Boots’s interruption during Howard and Luxa’s argument. How does this moment function narratively?
Answer:
Boots’s innocent interjection (“You like Fo-Fo”) and her playful interaction with Gregor provide comic relief amid the heated conflict, diffusing tension temporarily. Narratively, it contrasts the adults’ political strife with childhood naivety, emphasizing how Gregor is caught between both worlds. Her misnaming of Photos Glow-Glow and Twitchtip’s sarcastic reply (“Oh, be quiet, Fo-Fo”) also highlight how Boots, unlike the others, remains untouched by the Underworld’s darkness. This moment reminds readers of the innocence they’re fighting to protect and subtly critiques the adults’ inability to resolve conflicts as simply as a child might.4. What does Luxa’s decision to join the mission reveal about her motivations and leadership style?
Answer:
Luxa claims she joined to help Gregor and support Ares, but her defiance of Mareth’s authority and satisfaction at being “too far” to return suggest deeper motivations. She seeks agency, resisting the passive role expected of a queen-in-waiting. Her sharp retort to Mareth about Nerissa ruling if she dies reveals both her sense of duty and her stubbornness. Luxa’s leadership style is impulsive yet protective; she prioritizes loyalty (to Gregor, Ares) over protocol, even if it endangers Regalia’s stability. This aligns with her arc of grappling with power—she acts like a warrior, not a diplomat, reflecting her upbringing in war-torn times.5. How does Gregor’s internal monologue about echolocation and werewolves reflect his psychological state?
Answer:
Gregor’s disjointed echolocation practice (“Click! Click!”) and tangential thoughts about werewolves reveal his anxiety and fractured focus. The comparison to werewolves—beings who lose control—parallels his fear that his violent actions (hacking the squid, blood balls) are beyond his control, making him monstrous. His self-doubt (“how did he know [werewolves aren’t real]?”) underscores his shaken worldview after encountering the Underworld’s horrors. This internal struggle highlights his adolescent vulnerability; he’s torn between his warrior role and his humanity, unable to reconcile the violence required of him with his moral compass.
Quotes
1. “I cannot go back,” Luxa said with satisfaction. “It is too far now, and Aurora and I would most surely perish in the deep.”
This quote reveals Luxa’s stubborn determination and calculated risk-taking, showing how she intentionally placed herself in a position where retreat wasn’t possible. It highlights her complex relationship with responsibility as a future queen versus her personal motivations.
2. “Henry said? Henry said? I cannot believe that even now you do not question things that Henry said, Luxa!”
Howard’s emotional outburst represents a pivotal moment where Luxa’s blind loyalty to her deceased cousin Henry is challenged. The quote exposes lingering tensions about Henry’s betrayal and how it continues to affect relationships among the characters.
3. “It is not for the faint of heart,” said Mareth. “You may thank Howard for saving your arm.”
This brief exchange about Gregor’s injury underscores the constant physical dangers they face while also revealing the complex dynamics of gratitude and blame among the group. The medical crisis serves as a metaphor for their precarious situation.
4. “It is doubtful many of us will survive,” said Luxa. “Not sharp enough for what lies ahead of us.”
Luxa’s grim assessment while sharpening her sword captures the chapter’s ominous tone and the characters’ awareness of their likely fate. The weapon imagery reinforces how violence has become their primary language of survival.
5. “Besides, hitting things with a sword didn’t seem to be his problem. In fact, if anything, he couldn’t stop hitting things. It was like something took over his whole being, something beyond his control.”
Gregor’s internal reflection reveals his growing concern about his capacity for uncontrolled violence, a key character development. This introspection contrasts with the physical action of the chapter, showing the psychological toll of their mission.