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    Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

    by Suzanne, Collins,
    In “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane,” the second installment of Suzanne Collins’ “Underland Chronicles,” young Gregor returns to the subterranean world beneath New York City. This time, he embarks on a perilous quest to fulfill a dark prophecy involving a deadly rat known as the Bane. Alongside his sister Boots and Underland allies, Gregor navigates treacherous landscapes and moral dilemmas, exploring themes of destiny, courage, and the consequences of power. The novel blends adventure and introspection, expanding the richly imagined Underland while deepening Gregor’s character development. Collins’ middle-grade fantasy series is noted for its sophisticated storytelling and emotional resonance.
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    Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

    Chapter 21

    by Suzanne, Collins,

    In Chap­ter 21, Gre­gor and Ares encounter a chaot­ic bat­tle between rats, includ­ing a gold-furred female named Gold­shard and a gray rat named Snare. Gold­shard ini­tial­ly kills one of the attack­ing rats before turn­ing on Snare, lead­ing to a bru­tal fight. The con­fronta­tion is vicious, with both rats sus­tain­ing severe injuries. Gold­shard ulti­mate­ly kills Snare but is mor­tal­ly wound­ed her­self. As she dies, she locks eyes with Gre­gor, whis­per­ing an unfin­ished plea, “Don’t…,” leav­ing him con­fused about her inten­tions and the rats’ motives.

    Gre­gor and Ares dis­cuss the polit­i­cal dynam­ics among the rats, par­tic­u­lar­ly the Bane’s delayed rise to pow­er despite his strength. Ares explains that the Bane must con­sol­i­date sup­port and faces ene­mies like Ripred, who seeks his death. Goldshard’s actions sug­gest inter­nal divi­sions, as she pre­ferred Gre­gor killing the Bane over allow­ing Snare to influ­ence it. Gre­gor reflects on her final look, sens­ing urgency but unable to deci­pher her mes­sage. The chap­ter high­lights the rats’ fac­tion­al con­flicts and Gregor’s grow­ing aware­ness of their com­plex pol­i­tics.

    The ten­sion esca­lates as Gre­gor and Ares detect move­ment in a near­by tun­nel, sus­pect­ing the Bane is lurk­ing. Gre­gor recalls the prophe­cy fore­telling his role as the war­rior des­tined to kill the white-furred rat. Deter­mined to ful­fill his mis­sion, he pre­pares to enter the tun­nel alone, despite Ares’s hes­i­ta­tion. The Bane’s choice of a nar­row, spi­ral­ing path forces Gre­gor to con­front it with­out Ares’s aid, height­en­ing the stakes. The scene under­scores Gregor’s resolve and the inevitabil­i­ty of his con­fronta­tion with the Bane.

    In the cli­max, Gre­gor enters the tun­nel, slip­ping into a hyper-focused “rager mode” as he tracks the Bane. He cor­ners the crea­ture in a cham­ber, dri­ven by mem­o­ries of loved ones harmed by the rats. As he strikes, the Bane emits a star­tling cry—“Ma-maa!”—momentarily halt­ing Gre­gor. The chap­ter ends on a cliffhang­er, leav­ing Gregor’s reac­tion and the Bane’s fate unre­solved, while empha­siz­ing the emo­tion­al and moral com­plex­i­ty of his mis­sion.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What was the significance of the fight between Goldshard and Snare, and how does it reflect the political tensions among the rats?

      Answer:
      The fight between Goldshard and Snare highlights the internal power struggles within the rat community. Snare, a former general of King Gorger, represents the faction aligned with the Bane, seeking to maintain control through the Bane’s rise to power. Goldshard, however, opposes Snare’s influence, preferring the Bane’s death over its alliance with him. This conflict underscores the divisions among the rats, with some supporting the Bane’s ascension (like Snare) and others resisting it (like Goldshard and Ripred). The brutality of their fight mirrors the high stakes of these political rivalries, where loyalty and power are fiercely contested.

      2. How does Gregor’s reaction to Goldshard’s death reveal his character development and moral conflict?

      Answer:
      Gregor’s confusion and concern after Goldshard’s death show his growing awareness of the complexities in the Underland’s conflicts. Unlike earlier battles, where his focus was purely on survival, he now grapples with the motivations and emotions of his enemies. Goldshard’s pleading look and unfinished whisper (“Don’t…”) haunt him, suggesting a deeper moral dilemma about his role as the warrior. This moment forces Gregor to question the black-and-white morality of prophecy, hinting at his internal struggle between duty and empathy. His curiosity about her intentions marks a shift from blind obedience to critical reflection.

      3. Analyze the significance of the Bane’s final cry (“Ma-maa!”) and its potential impact on Gregor’s mission.

      Answer:
      The Bane’s cry of “Ma-maa!” humanizes the creature, contrasting sharply with Gregor’s perception of it as a monstrous threat. This moment disrupts Gregor’s “rager mode,” where he is fully prepared to kill, and introduces doubt about the Bane’s nature. The cry suggests vulnerability or even innocence, complicating the prophecy’s portrayal of the Bane as pure evil. This revelation could challenge Gregor’s resolve, forcing him to reconsider whether the Bane is truly a malevolent force or a misunderstood being. The emotional weight of this cry may linger, influencing his future decisions and the prophecy’s outcome.

      4. How does the setting of the final confrontation with the Bane heighten the tension and thematic weight of the chapter?

      Answer:
      The cramped, spiral tunnel and isolated chamber create a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing the inevitability and intimacy of Gregor’s confrontation with the Bane. The Bane’s choice of hiding spot lures Gregor into a space where he must face it alone, mirroring the prophecy’s demand for solitary action. The dim, confined setting amplifies the tension, as Gregor’s heightened senses and adrenaline focus solely on the Bane. This physical isolation reflects the broader theme of the warrior’s lonely burden, while the sudden shift from violent anticipation to the Bane’s pitiful cry underscores the unpredictability of moral choices in war.

      5. What role does Ares play in this chapter, and how does his relationship with Gregor evolve?

      Answer:
      Ares serves as both a tactical ally and a moral anchor for Gregor. He provides critical information about the rats’ politics (e.g., Snare’s background) and warns Gregor against fighting the Bane in the tunnel, showing his protective instincts. Their claw-handshake before Gregor enters the tunnel symbolizes mutual trust and camaraderie, contrasting with Gregor’s solitary role in the prophecy. Ares’s reluctance to let Gregor proceed alone reveals his growing loyalty, positioning him as more than just a bond partner—he is a friend who challenges Gregor’s decisions. This dynamic adds emotional depth to their partnership, hinting at future conflicts between duty and personal bonds.

    Quotes

    • 1. ““I would rather have the Bane dead than have it trust you,” the gold rat hissed back.”

      This quote captures the intense political division among the rats, showing Goldshard’s willingness to sacrifice the Bane rather than let it fall under Snare’s influence. It reveals the complex power struggles within the rat community.

      2. ““Someone will die, Snare, the question is who?” said Goldshard.”

      A pivotal moment in the brutal rat fight, this line underscores the life-or-death stakes of the conflict. It also characterizes Goldshard’s defiant courage against a larger opponent.

      3. “Gregor hadn’t spent much time thinking about the rats’ political struggles, but now that he did, something seemed strange.”

      This reflection marks Gregor’s growing awareness of the deeper political dynamics in the Underland. It shows his transition from passive observer to active participant in the conflict.

      4. “Every molecule in his body was preparing to kill.”

      This visceral description captures Gregor’s transformation into “rager mode” as he prepares to face the Bane. It demonstrates the intense physical and psychological change he undergoes in combat.

      5. ““Ma-maa!””

      The shocking final quote completely subverts expectations, revealing the Bane’s childlike nature just as Gregor is about to strike. This moment creates profound moral ambiguity about Gregor’s mission.

    Quotes

    1. ““I would rather have the Bane dead than have it trust you,” the gold rat hissed back.”

    This quote captures the intense political division among the rats, showing Goldshard’s willingness to sacrifice the Bane rather than let it fall under Snare’s influence. It reveals the complex power struggles within the rat community.

    2. ““Someone will die, Snare, the question is who?” said Goldshard.”

    A pivotal moment in the brutal rat fight, this line underscores the life-or-death stakes of the conflict. It also characterizes Goldshard’s defiant courage against a larger opponent.

    3. “Gregor hadn’t spent much time thinking about the rats’ political struggles, but now that he did, something seemed strange.”

    This reflection marks Gregor’s growing awareness of the deeper political dynamics in the Underland. It shows his transition from passive observer to active participant in the conflict.

    4. “Every molecule in his body was preparing to kill.”

    This visceral description captures Gregor’s transformation into “rager mode” as he prepares to face the Bane. It demonstrates the intense physical and psychological change he undergoes in combat.

    5. ““Ma-maa!””

    The shocking final quote completely subverts expectations, revealing the Bane’s childlike nature just as Gregor is about to strike. This moment creates profound moral ambiguity about Gregor’s mission.

    FAQs

    1. What was the significance of the fight between Goldshard and Snare, and how does it reflect the political tensions among the rats?

    Answer:
    The fight between Goldshard and Snare highlights the internal power struggles within the rat community. Snare, a former general of King Gorger, represents the faction aligned with the Bane, seeking to maintain control through the Bane’s rise to power. Goldshard, however, opposes Snare’s influence, preferring the Bane’s death over its alliance with him. This conflict underscores the divisions among the rats, with some supporting the Bane’s ascension (like Snare) and others resisting it (like Goldshard and Ripred). The brutality of their fight mirrors the high stakes of these political rivalries, where loyalty and power are fiercely contested.

    2. How does Gregor’s reaction to Goldshard’s death reveal his character development and moral conflict?

    Answer:
    Gregor’s confusion and concern after Goldshard’s death show his growing awareness of the complexities in the Underland’s conflicts. Unlike earlier battles, where his focus was purely on survival, he now grapples with the motivations and emotions of his enemies. Goldshard’s pleading look and unfinished whisper (“Don’t…”) haunt him, suggesting a deeper moral dilemma about his role as the warrior. This moment forces Gregor to question the black-and-white morality of prophecy, hinting at his internal struggle between duty and empathy. His curiosity about her intentions marks a shift from blind obedience to critical reflection.

    3. Analyze the significance of the Bane’s final cry (“Ma-maa!”) and its potential impact on Gregor’s mission.

    Answer:
    The Bane’s cry of “Ma-maa!” humanizes the creature, contrasting sharply with Gregor’s perception of it as a monstrous threat. This moment disrupts Gregor’s “rager mode,” where he is fully prepared to kill, and introduces doubt about the Bane’s nature. The cry suggests vulnerability or even innocence, complicating the prophecy’s portrayal of the Bane as pure evil. This revelation could challenge Gregor’s resolve, forcing him to reconsider whether the Bane is truly a malevolent force or a misunderstood being. The emotional weight of this cry may linger, influencing his future decisions and the prophecy’s outcome.

    4. How does the setting of the final confrontation with the Bane heighten the tension and thematic weight of the chapter?

    Answer:
    The cramped, spiral tunnel and isolated chamber create a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing the inevitability and intimacy of Gregor’s confrontation with the Bane. The Bane’s choice of hiding spot lures Gregor into a space where he must face it alone, mirroring the prophecy’s demand for solitary action. The dim, confined setting amplifies the tension, as Gregor’s heightened senses and adrenaline focus solely on the Bane. This physical isolation reflects the broader theme of the warrior’s lonely burden, while the sudden shift from violent anticipation to the Bane’s pitiful cry underscores the unpredictability of moral choices in war.

    5. What role does Ares play in this chapter, and how does his relationship with Gregor evolve?

    Answer:
    Ares serves as both a tactical ally and a moral anchor for Gregor. He provides critical information about the rats’ politics (e.g., Snare’s background) and warns Gregor against fighting the Bane in the tunnel, showing his protective instincts. Their claw-handshake before Gregor enters the tunnel symbolizes mutual trust and camaraderie, contrasting with Gregor’s solitary role in the prophecy. Ares’s reluctance to let Gregor proceed alone reveals his growing loyalty, positioning him as more than just a bond partner—he is a friend who challenges Gregor’s decisions. This dynamic adds emotional depth to their partnership, hinting at future conflicts between duty and personal bonds.

    Note