Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Chapter 19
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 19, Gregor asserts his ability to confront the rats alone, revealing his identity as a “rager”—a fighter with a unique, detectable scent during combat. Twitchtip confirms this trait, explaining she sensed it during their battles. Despite Howard’s protests, Gregor insists on proceeding without him, arguing that Howard must return to Regalia to inform others of their losses and ensure his family knows the truth. Ares and Twitchtip pledge to accompany Gregor, while Howard struggles with the weight of his responsibilities and the potential consequences of abandoning the mission.
Howard reluctantly accepts Gregor’s decision after Andromeda sides with the Overlander, prioritizing Mareth’s survival and the need to relay critical information to Regalia. The group devises a plan to construct a makeshift raft from boat wreckage, allowing Andromeda to rest during the journey back. Ares and Gregor retrieve supplies, including food and Howard’s first aid kit, which he uses to treat the group’s injuries. Howard insists Gregor take most of the resources, acknowledging the greater dangers he will face in the Labyrinth.
Gregor and Ares share a moment of understanding, recognizing their bond has deepened through shared hardship. Ares declares he has no reason to return to Regalia without Luxa and Aurora, solidifying his commitment to Gregor. Their partnership transcends formal gratitude, embodying the oath they swore earlier. Gregor reflects on their journey’s trials and losses, realizing their bond is now unbreakable, as they prepare to face the rats together.
The chapter concludes with practical preparations: Gregor equips himself with Mareth’s sword, food, and extra flashlight batteries, while Howard and Andromeda ready Mareth for transport. Howard’s concern for Gregor’s safety lingers, but he ultimately focuses on his duty to return. The group’s division marks a turning point, with Gregor and Ares resolved to confront the Bane, while Howard and Andromeda embark on their perilous journey home, underscoring the themes of sacrifice and loyalty.
FAQs
1. What is a “rager” in the context of this chapter, and how does this revelation impact Gregor’s mission?
Answer:
A “rager” is a fighter who emits a distinct scent during combat, as identified by Twitchtip’s heightened sense of smell. This trait suggests exceptional fighting prowess and intensity. The revelation that Gregor is a rager shocks the group, including Howard and the bats, as it implies Gregor has innate combat abilities he previously denied. This discovery bolsters Gregor’s confidence in his plan to confront the Bane alone, as his rager status may give him an edge. However, Howard warns that being a rager doesn’t make him invincible, highlighting the tension between Gregor’s newfound identity and the practical dangers of the mission.2. Analyze the significance of Gregor’s refusal to let Howard join him in the maze. What does this reveal about Gregor’s character and priorities?
Answer:
Gregor’s insistence that Howard return to Regalia instead of joining him demonstrates his maturity and sense of responsibility. He prioritizes informing his family and Regalia about Luxa’s fate over personal support in battle, showing his growth from a reluctant hero to a strategic leader. His threat to fight Howard if necessary underscores his determination to protect others, even at the cost of isolation. This also reflects his understanding of political consequences—preventing Stellovet from ruling reinforces his foresight. Gregor’s decision reveals his selflessness and acceptance of his role as a protector, even when it means facing danger alone.3. How does the bond between Gregor and Ares evolve in this chapter, and what symbolizes its depth?
Answer:
Their bond deepens from a formal oath to an unbreakable partnership forged through shared trauma. Ares declares, “We will go together,” rejecting Gregor’s offer to go alone, symbolizing their unity. Gregor realizes their connection transcends gratitude—it’s as intrinsic as “thanking himself.” The chapter highlights this through their silent understanding and mutual sacrifice, echoing their bonding vow: “Our life and death are one, we two.” The physical retrieval of wreckage together mirrors their emotional solidarity. Their bond is now rooted in lived experience, not just words, making it a central pillar of Gregor’s resolve to face the Bane.4. What practical preparations do the characters make before splitting up, and how do these reflect their circumstances?
Answer:
The group salvages boat wreckage to create a lifeboat for Howard and Andromeda, ensuring Mareth’s survival. They also recover packs with food and medical supplies, allowing Howard to treat wounds with his first aid kit. Resources are divided strategically: Gregor takes all spare batteries and food, acknowledging the labyrinth’s unpredictability, while Howard relies on Andromeda’s navigation without light. These preparations underscore their dire situation—scavenging scraps, rationing supplies, and prioritizing survival. The makeshift raft and taped flashlight emphasize their resilience and adaptability in a world where even basic resources are scarce or damaged.5. Evaluate Howard’s internal conflict in this chapter. How does Gregor’s argument about Stellovet sway his decision?
Answer:
Howard struggles between duty to Regalia’s orders and personal loyalty to Gregor and Luxa. His grief over Pandora and Luxa clouds his judgment, but Gregor’s appeal to logic—specifically, the risk of Stellovet becoming queen—tips the scales. Howard’s horror at Stellovet’s potential rule (“Oh, I did not think of that”) reveals his political awareness. Gregor frames Howard’s return as a civic duty, not just a retreat, which helps Howard reconcile his emotions with practicality. Andromeda’s refusal to fight Gregor further isolates Howard, leaving him no choice but to concede. This moment highlights how leadership often requires painful compromises between personal desires and greater good.
Quotes
1. “He’s a rager.”
This revelation about Gregor’s nature is pivotal, explaining his unusual combat abilities and setting up his role in the coming conflict. Twitchtip’s identification of Gregor as a “rager” changes how others perceive him and foreshadows his destined confrontation with the Bane.
2. “We will go together. Besides, the gnawers have killed every reason I had to return to Regalia.”
Ares’s declaration of loyalty to Gregor demonstrates the depth of their bond, forged through shared trauma. This moment marks the point where their formal bond becomes an existential commitment, transcending mere obligation.
3. “ARES THE FLIER, I BOND TO YOU, OUR LIFE AND DEATH ARE ONE, WE TWO.”
The recitation of the bonding oath serves as both a reminder and a fulfillment of their earlier promise. This poetic vow encapsulates the chapter’s emotional core - the transformation of their relationship from convenience to profound interdependence.
4. “I don’t want my mom and dad waiting for Boots and me to walk in the door when it’s not going to happen.”
Gregor’s plea to Howard reveals his maturity and sense of responsibility toward his family. This moment shows Gregor thinking beyond immediate danger to the long-term consequences of his actions on loved ones.
5. “He remembered the feel of Ares’s claw clasped in his hand… They were truly bonded now.”
This reflection captures the chapter’s central theme of forged connections through adversity. The physical memory of their handclasp symbolizes how their shared experiences have made their bond unbreakable.