Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Chapter 2
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 2, Gregor frantically searches for his younger sister, Boots, in Central Park after realizing she has disappeared. Panicked, he follows her footprints in the snow but struggles due to the fading light and overlapping tracks. A barking dog leads him to a clearing, where he discovers an insect leg from a giant roach—a clue linking the disappearance to the Underland, a subterranean world he had visited before. Finding Boots’ mitten near a displaced rock slab confirms his fears: the roaches, who idolized her, have taken her underground. Gregor immediately calls his father, insisting he must return to the Underland to rescue her despite the dangers.
Gregor’s father, overwhelmed with fear, begs to accompany him, but Gregor refuses, knowing his father’s poor health would hinder the mission. Armed with a small flashlight, Gregor descends into the tunnel, recalling the path he took months earlier with the help of his bond, a bat named Ares. The cold, abandoned tunnels evoke memories of the Underland’s eerie inhabitants, including giant roaches, spiders, and menacing rats. Despite his dread, Gregor presses on, determined to save Boots before it’s too late.
The chapter flashes back to the family’s return from the Underland the previous summer, when Gregor, Boots, and their emaciated father recounted their unbelievable journey to Gregor’s skeptical mother. Boots’ innocent chatter about “beeg bugs” and riding bats eventually convinced her of their story. Terrified of another disappearance, Gregor’s mother sealed their apartment’s laundry room grate, the original entrance to the Underland, and banned anyone from entering. However, neither she nor Gregor considered the Central Park entrance, which the roaches now exploit to kidnap Boots.
As Gregor navigates the twisting tunnels, the environment shifts from man-made bricks to ancient stone, signaling his descent into the Underland. The chapter ends with Gregor’s resolve hardening as he confronts the reality of returning to a world of danger and uncertainty. His love for Boots outweighs his fear, setting the stage for a perilous rescue mission. The tension builds as readers anticipate the challenges he will face in the dark, unfamiliar depths below.
FAQs
1. What evidence does Gregor find that leads him to conclude Boots was taken by giant roaches from the Underland?
Answer:
Gregor discovers several key pieces of evidence that point to the giant roaches’ involvement. First, he finds a smooth, shiny black object that initially appears to be a stick but is actually an insect leg from a giant roach. Next, he notices a recently moved slab of rock with fresh marks in the snow, and beneath it, he finds Boots’s red mitten. These clues, combined with his knowledge that the roaches idolized Boots (calling her “princess” and performing rituals for her), convince him they’ve kidnapped her. The location is also significant—near where they previously emerged from the Underland tunnels in Central Park.2. How does Gregor’s conversation with his father reveal both the urgency of the situation and their family dynamics?
Answer:
The phone conversation highlights Gregor’s determination to act quickly (“I have to go back down!”) and his father’s helplessness due to poor health (“You can’t even walk down the block!”). Their exchange reveals mutual care—Gregor reassures his dad (“I’ll be okay”), while his father, though fearful, ultimately supports him (“I love you… Be careful”). The dialogue also underscores their shared traumatic history (the dad’s voice shakes, recalling their previous disappearance) and establishes practical concerns (Gregor warns against involving police, suggesting they claim to have the flu). This moment encapsulates their bond, the weight of past Underland experiences, and the sacrifices they make for family.3. Analyze how the author builds suspense in this chapter. Provide specific examples.
Answer:
Suspense builds through sequential discoveries and time pressure. Initially, Gregor’s panic escalates as he searches for Boots, emphasized by repeated cries of her name. The barking dog seems like a false lead until the insect leg revelation creates dread. Physical clues (moved rock, mitten) confirm the worst. Flashbacks to the Underland’s dangers (rats, spiders) heighten tension as Gregor descends. The father’s emotional resistance and Gregor’s limited preparation (only a mini flashlight) amplify risks. Descriptions of the environment—darkness, forgotten tunnels, skittering mice—create unease. The chapter ends mid-action (“The tunnels began to twist and tu…”), leaving the reader anticipating danger ahead.4. How does Gregor’s prior experience in the Underland influence his decisions in this chapter?
Answer:
Gregor’s past knowledge directly guides his actions. He recognizes the insect leg and tunnel entrance because of his summer in the Underland. He understands the roaches’ obsession with Boots, which explains their motive. His memory of flying with Ares (his bat bond) helps him navigate the tunnels. He also anticipates threats like rats, showing learned caution. However, his experience also creates internal conflict—he dreads returning but feels responsible. Pragmatically, he avoids police involvement, knowing human authorities can’t help with Underland problems. His decision to go alone reflects both courage and an awareness of his father’s limitations from their shared trauma.
Quotes
1. “The giant roaches from the Underland had idolized Boots. They’d called her the princess and done some special ritual dance to honor her. And now they’d kidnapped her right out from under his nose.”
This quote marks the pivotal moment when Gregor realizes his sister has been taken by the Underland roaches, revealing both their strange reverence for Boots and the urgency of his mission to rescue her.
2. “‘I have to, Dad. Or we might not ever see her again. You know how crazy the roaches are about her. Look, don’t let Mom call the police this time. There’s nothing they can do.’”
Gregor’s desperate plea to his father shows his growing understanding of the Underland’s unique dangers and his acceptance of personal responsibility, while also hinting at their family’s previous traumatic experiences with this hidden world.
3. “‘Gregor? You have any light?’ asked his dad. ‘No!’ said Gregor. This was a real problem. ‘Wait, yes! Yes!’ Mrs. Cormaci had given him a mini flashlight in case the lights ever went out when he was on the subway.”
This exchange highlights both the practical challenges of returning to the Underland and the subtle foreshadowing of how ordinary objects (like Mrs. Cormaci’s gift) become crucial in extraordinary circumstances.
4. “In the Underland, a human and a bat could take a vow and swear always to protect each other no matter how desperate the situation. Then the two were called bonds.”
This explanation of the Underland’s bond concept provides important world-building context while hinting at the deeper connections Gregor has formed in this strange realm.
5. “‘Rat bad,’ Boots said with a frown. And Gregor remembered this was the exact phrase he had heard the roaches use to describe the rats. They were bad. Very bad. Well, most of them…”
This simple phrase from Boots encapsulates the Underland’s moral complexities and foreshadows the dangers Gregor will face, while showing how even a toddler has absorbed crucial aspects of this hidden world’s culture.