Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Suzanne Collins seamlessly integrates series context to ensure that new readers understand the important events of the first novel while reinforcing essential details for returning fans. Gregor often recalls memories from the previous book, Gregor the Overlander, providing necessary exposition without disrupting the narrative’s flow. For example, when Gregor reenters the tunnels leading to the Underland, he remembers the setting well, which highlights the portal fantasy genre trope in which characters travel between distinct worlds: “Ares had flown Gregor, Boots, and his dad back from the Underland and left them at the foot of the stairs and headed off to the…right! Gregor […] started running that way” (21). In addition, he remembers the treacherous journey he and Boots took to save his father from rats the last time: “‘I can’t believe it,’ thought Gregor. ‘I can’t believe I have to go back down—there!’ Back into the strange dark land of giant roaches and spiders and, worst of all, rats! The thought of seeing one of those six-foot sneering, fanged creatures filled him with dread” (21). These practical refreshers help provide series context and reinforce current characterization, relationships, and histories.

For example, the text notes that Ares is the bat who saved Gregor’s life at the end of the previous book, detailing Ares’s bond with Henry, who betrayed them to align with the rats: “Ares had saved [Gregor’s] life. Gregor had kept Ares from banishment, which would have meant certain death. They were bonded together and had sworn to fight to the death for each other. But they had never exchanged more than a handful of words” (31). Ares’s choice to save Gregor and let Henry fall to his death in the first book is crucial information, explaining why Ares is now an outcast. By skillfully incorporating these summaries, Collins situates the characters within the series context while maintaining an engaging pace.

Collins’s use of summary likewise enhances emotional depth, particularly in character relationships. For instance, Gregor’s memories of his father’s imprisonment in the Underland highlight his dad’s trauma and resilience, reinforcing the series’ attention to family and survival: “His poor dad… After being held prisoner by huge, vicious rats far beneath New York City for over two and a half years, his dad was a wreck” (3). Similarly, Luxa’s grief over Henry, her cousin and closest friend, betraying the others is evident in subtle ways, such as the bags under her eyes and her use of “we” when reminded of Henry. These reflections serve as more than just recaps; they deepen character arcs by showing how past events continue to shape their motivations and current states. Additionally, the novel provides necessary context about family and political relationships, including Vikus’s role as a leader, a mentor to Gregor in the first book, and his connection to Luxa:

Vikus was her grandfather but, since her parents had been killed by rats, he was also the closest thing she had to a father. And he was supervising and training Luxa to take on the full responsibilities of being the queen of Regalia when she reached sixteen. Gregor thought it must be complicated for them, being so many things to each other (51).

Likewise, when Gregor meets Solovet, a concise but effective summary clarifies her authority, past actions and the fact that she’s Luxa’s grandmother. These telling details provide quick summary as opposed to longer scenes of showing with imagery, thus preventing confusion while keeping the story focused. Collins’s strategic use of series summary throughout helps enable a seamless reading experience, balancing necessary exposition with forward-moving tension.

These chapters introduce the theme of Prophecies Shaping Actions. This theme highlights the tension between fate and free will that drives the central plot and conflict, forcing Gregor to confront fate and his role in the Underland. The title itself, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, highlights the idea of fate versus free will. When Gregor first encounters the prophecy, carved into the walls of Regalia’s prophecy room, it feels like an unchangeable fate. This moment builds tension because both Gregor and readers must interpret its cryptic lines, especially the chilling “die the baby,” which raises the stakes significantly. Gregor struggles with whether he’s simply following a script or has the power to shape his own path. As a wise mentor character, Vikus emphasizes that prophecies are open to interpretation, adding layers of mystery: “‘No, Gregor, it is clear only in hindsight. ‘Under’ could have referred not only to Henry, but to any other Underland creature, or the Underland itself. ‘Over’ could have been your father. Your leap may not have been a literal leap but a mental or spiritual leap,’ [Vikus said]” (41). A later revelation, that blindly following the prophecy can lead to disastrous consequences, helps clarify that while prophecies suggest a course of action, characters have the freedom to determine their fate.

Gregor’s natural talent for combat complicates his reluctance to fight, deepening his internal struggle and using fake blood as a symbol. Though he resists becoming a warrior, his body instinctively reacts in any type of combat, displaying an unsettling level of skill when he strikes all the targets. This moment in Gregor’s training foreshadows his unknown “rager” abilities, which surprise both him and others. The symbolic blood (from the blood balls) on Gregor’s sword intensifies this internal conflict. After using the sword in training, Gregor’s discomfort over the blood stains is palpable: “He ran his sword hand across the front of his shirt, leaving a big red stain. Suddenly he felt sick” (71). The blood symbolizes the violence he fears, his confusion over his unlocked power, and his unwillingness to be defined by brutality. This imagery underscores his struggle with using his powers to protect others, highlighting the tension between survival and morality. Gregor’s abilities are involuntary and uncontrollable, making him both a valuable asset and a potential threat. His fear of embracing these powers challenges the typical hero’s journey, in which protagonists often accept their abilities as part of their destiny. Instead, Gregor dreads the consequences of his powers and the identity they may impose on him.