Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Chapter 22
by Suzanne, Collins,In Chapter 22, Gregor confronts the Bane, only to discover it is not the monstrous rat he expected but a small, terrified white baby rat. The creature’s cries remind him of his sister Boots, making it impossible for him to carry out his mission to kill it. Despite knowing the Bane’s future threat, Gregor cannot bring himself to harm the helpless animal. He comforts the rat, realizing it is alone and vulnerable, and decides to protect it, even as his companion Ares expresses disbelief and warns of the consequences.
Gregor and Ares debate the identity and significance of the baby rat, with Ares suspecting a trap or deception by the gnawers. Gregor, however, is convinced it is the Bane, noting its unique white fur. The emotional weight of the situation grows as the rat seeks comfort from its dead mother, Goldshard, revealing the tragic backstory of its isolation. Gregor’s empathy deepens, and he resolves to take the Bane with them, refusing to abandon it to the ruthless rat kingdom or kill it outright.
As they attempt to flee, a dozen rats attack, forcing Ares into a frantic escape through the tunnels. The baby rat’s distress cries amplify the danger, attracting more rats. Gregor struggles to calm the creature, eventually offering it candy to silence its screams. The chaotic chase highlights the moral dilemma Gregor faces: protecting the Bane now could lead to catastrophic consequences later, yet he cannot reconcile killing an innocent, frightened animal.
The chapter ends with Gregor and Ares still in peril, racing through the Underland with the Bane in tow. Gregor’s decision to spare the baby rat defies logic and prophecy, setting the stage for future conflicts. His compassion contrasts sharply with the ruthless expectations of the Underland’s inhabitants, leaving readers to ponder the consequences of his choice and the true nature of destiny.
FAQs
1. How does Gregor’s discovery of the Bane’s true nature challenge his mission and moral compass?
Answer:
Gregor’s mission was to “drain the light” of the Bane, expecting a monstrous threat. Instead, he finds a terrified baby rat, which forces an immediate moral dilemma. The chapter shows his internal conflict through his actions—snapping his sword, comforting the creature, and ultimately refusing to kill it. His empathy is triggered by the Bane’s resemblance to his sister Boots (its cries of “Ma-maa!”), making him question the prophecy’s demands. This revelation challenges the black-and-white nature of his quest, forcing him to choose between duty and compassion, ultimately prioritizing mercy over violence despite the consequences.
2. Analyze the significance of the Bane’s relationship with Goldshard. How does this deepen the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The Bane’s desperate attempts to nuzzle Goldshard’s corpse reveal that she was its mother, adding layers of tragedy and complexity. Goldshard’s dying plea (“Don’t”) was a maternal appeal to spare her child, humanizing the rats and subverting their portrayal as pure villains. This relationship underscores themes of family and sacrifice, mirroring Gregor’s bond with Boots. It also critiques blind obedience to prophecy—Gregor realizes the Bane isn’t inherently evil but a victim of circumstances. The scene forces readers to consider how fear and prejudice distort perceptions of “monsters.”
3. How does Ares’s reaction to the Bane highlight the tension between prophecy and reality?
Answer:
Ares’s agitation—bumping into walls, frantic speech—reflects his struggle to reconcile the prophecy’s legendary “scourge” with a helpless pup. His initial disbelief (“That is not the Bane!”) and fear of deception show how deeply ingrained the prophecy is. Yet his eventual acceptance (“It must be the Bane”) underscores the weight of their discovery. Ares embodies the Underland’s rigid worldview, contrasting with Gregor’s adaptability. Their debate—whether to kill the Bane or protect it—mirrors larger conflicts between fate and free will, tradition and empathy.
4. What role does the baby Bane’s behavior play in building suspense during the escape scene?
Answer:
The Bane’s piercing cries (“Eek! Eek!”) act as a beacon for pursuing rats, escalating tension. Gregor compares its cries to Boots’s, emphasizing how nature designs distress signals to travel far. This detail raises stakes: the noise turns their flight into a frantic chase, forcing Ares to navigate treacherous tunnels while rats attack. The Bane’s vulnerability also heightens emotional suspense—Gregor must simultaneously protect it and evade danger, culminating in his improvised solution (using candy to quiet it). The scene underscores how innocence can unintentionally amplify peril.
5. Evaluate Gregor’s decision to take the Bane with him. What might this imply about his character arc?
Answer:
Gregor’s choice to spare and带走 the Bane marks a pivotal growth moment. Rejecting violence (he “tossed aside” his broken sword) and defying Regalia’s expectations, he prioritizes compassion over blind duty. His insistence that “I’m not leaving it here for the other rats to use” shows foresight—he recognizes the Bane’s potential as a pawn. This mirrors his earlier protectiveness of Boots, extending his empathy beyond humans. The decision hints at his evolving role as a bridge between species, challenging systemic hatreds and suggesting that breaking cycles of violence requires courage to defy tradition.
Quotes
1. “It was only a baby!”
This moment marks Gregor’s shocking realization that the prophesied “Bane” is not a monstrous threat but an innocent infant. The quote captures the moral dilemma at the heart of the chapter, forcing Gregor (and readers) to question blind obedience to prophecy versus human compassion.
2. “What we do at this moment determines the fate of all who call the Underland home!”
Ares’ urgent declaration underscores the chapter’s central tension - how a single moral choice about the baby rat could reshape their world’s future. This quote elevates the personal dilemma to a cosmic scale, emphasizing the weight of Gregor’s decision.
3. “She was trying to say, ‘Don’t kill my baby.’”
Gregor’s heartbreaking realization about Goldshard’s dying plea reframes the entire conflict. This quote transforms the narrative from a heroic quest into a tragic maternal story, revealing how prophecies can obscure fundamental human (and animal) realities.
4. “I’m not going to kill it, and I’m not leaving it here for the other rats to use.”
Gregor’s definitive choice represents his rejection of both violent and passive solutions. This quote showcases his emerging moral autonomy as he forges a third path between prophecy and abandonment, setting up the chapter’s dramatic escape sequence.