To find the equation of the parabola in the form $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ that passes through the given points $(-4, -98)$, $(3, -91)$, and $(-1, 1)$, we need to solve for the constants $a$, $b$, and $c$.

Step 1: Set up a system of equations

Substitute each point into the general form of the quadratic equation.

1. For $(-4, -98)$:
   $-98 = a(-4)^2 + b(-4) + c \implies -98 = 16a - 4b + c$

2. For $(3, -91)$:
   $-91 = a(3)^2 + b(3) + c \implies -91 = 9a + 3b + c$

3. For $(-1, 1)$:
   $1 = a(-1)^2 + b(-1) + c \implies 1 = a - b + c$

Step 2: Solve the system of equations

We now have the following system: