The Maze Runner
Chapter 22
by Dashner, JamesAfter surviving a harrowing night in the Maze, Thomas and Minho are physically and emotionally drained. Thomas reflects on the trauma of the experience, unsure how Minho perceives his emotional breakdown. As dawn breaks, Thomas examines the Cliff again, noting the sheer drop and the inexplicable disappearance of the Grievers that fell over the edge. Despite their exhaustion, the two boys discuss the strange phenomenon, with Minho dismissing it as “magic” due to his inability to explain it logically. Their survival through the night marks an unprecedented achievement, but Thomas feels only relief rather than pride.
The conversation shifts to Alby, whom Thomas had left suspended in ivy vines to protect him from the Grievers. Minho expresses skepticism about Alby’s survival, explaining that no one stung by a Griever and left in the Maze overnight has ever lived. However, Thomas clings to hope, theorizing that Alby might still be saved with the Grief Serum—a remedy supplied weekly by the mysterious “Creators.” Minho realizes their previous assumptions about the Serum’s time-sensitive application might be wrong, sparking cautious optimism. The boys hurry back to the Glade, though their injuries slow their progress.
As they navigate the Maze, Thomas questions Minho about the Serum and the origins of the Grievers’ name. Minho explains that the Serum is delivered via the Box and is crucial for healing those stung, though the process involves a painful transformation called the Changing. Thomas remains troubled by the possibility that another Griever might have attacked Alby after he left him. Their urgency grows, but their battered bodies force them to maintain a slow pace. When they finally spot Newt and other Gladers near the open West Door, Thomas directs them to Alby’s location on the wall.
Newt is shocked to see Alby still hanging in the vines, alive but motionless. Thomas insists they must act quickly to administer the Serum, though uncertainty lingers about Alby’s condition. The chapter ends with a tense moment as the group confronts the possibility of saving Alby, challenging their long-held beliefs about the Maze’s lethality. Thomas’s determination and Minho’s reluctant hope hint at a potential shift in their understanding of the Glade’s rules and survival strategies.
FAQs
1. What physical and emotional state are Thomas and Minho in after surviving the night in the Maze, and what does this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Thomas and Minho are physically exhausted and injured, with Thomas noting that “things seemed to hurt on him and inside him that he’d never known existed before.” Emotionally, Thomas feels vulnerable after crying uncontrollably, worrying about being perceived as weak, while Minho appears numb, his face “devoid of expression.” This reveals Thomas’s self-consciousness and lingering insecurity despite his bravery, while Minho’s stoicism underscores his hardened resilience as a seasoned Runner. Their shared trauma bonds them, yet their reactions highlight their distinct personalities—Thomas’s emotional openness contrasts with Minho’s guarded demeanor.2. Analyze the significance of Thomas and Minho’s discovery about the Grievers’ disappearance over the Cliff. How might this challenge their understanding of the Maze?
Answer:
When the Grievers fall off the Cliff, their cries abruptly end, and Thomas cannot see them plummeting, suggesting they vanish midair. Minho tests this by throwing a rock, which falls visibly, disproving an optical illusion. This phenomenon implies the Maze’s rules defy physics, hinting at artificial or manipulated environments. It challenges their perception of the Maze as a purely natural structure, suggesting it may be technologically controlled or illusory. This realization unsettles Thomas, as it introduces unknowns about the Creators’ capabilities and the Maze’s true nature, deepening the mystery of their imprisonment.3. How does the revelation about the Serum alter Thomas and Minho’s perspective on saving Alby, and why is this medically and psychologically important?
Answer:
Previously, Gladers believed being stung after sunset was fatal, but Minho theorizes the Serum could still save Alby if he’s alive, as it’s never been tested in this scenario. Medically, this shifts their urgency—Alby might survive if given the Serum despite the delay. Psychologically, it offers hope and challenges their fatalistic assumptions, showing how trauma (past deaths) shaped their beliefs. Thomas’s insistence on rushing back underscores his optimism and refusal to accept defeat, while Minho’s cautious excitement reflects a leader’s adaptability when faced with new evidence.4. Evaluate Thomas’s leadership qualities in this chapter, using specific examples of his actions and decisions.
Answer:
Thomas demonstrates emergent leadership through initiative and empathy. He devises the plan to hang Alby in the ivy, risking his own life to divert the Griever—a selfless act. His emotional vulnerability (crying) humanizes him, making him relatable, while his quick pivot to focus on Alby’s rescue shows prioritization of others’ lives. When he urges Minho to hurry, his persistence reveals determination. Notably, he intuitively navigates the Maze’s turns, suggesting adaptability. These traits—creativity, compassion, and decisiveness—mark him as an unconventional but effective leader, contrasting with Minho’s experience-driven authority.5. Why does the chapter end with urgency around Alby’s survival, and how does this create narrative tension?
Answer:
The cliffhanger around Alby’s condition—whether he’s alive or if another Griever attacked him—heightens tension by delaying resolution. Thomas’s fear (“What if another Griever got Alby?”) and Newt’s shock upon seeing Alby dangling unresolved force readers to anticipate the next chapter. This urgency also underscores the Serum’s untested potential, making Alby a symbol of hope or futility. The open-ended question (“Is he … alive?”) mirrors the Gladers’ uncertainty about their own survival, reinforcing the Maze’s relentless unpredictability and the stakes of their choices.
Quotes
1. “Despite his lack of memory, he was sure he’d just been through the most traumatic night of his life.”
This quote captures Thomas’s emotional and physical exhaustion after surviving the night in the Maze. It highlights the extreme stress and disorientation he experiences, emphasizing the brutal reality of their situation in the Glade.
2. “We made it through the whole night—never been done before.”
Minho’s statement marks a pivotal moment in the story, as Thomas and Minho achieve what was previously thought impossible. This quote underscores the significance of their survival and hints at Thomas’s potential to change the rules of their confined world.
3. “Maybe they’re magic. My head hurts too much to think about it.”
This quote reflects the mystery and frustration surrounding the Grievers’ strange behavior. Minho’s dismissive attitude contrasts with Thomas’s curiosity, showcasing their different approaches to the unsolved puzzles of the Maze.
4. “We’ve been wrong—well, hopefully we’ve been wrong. Because no one who’d been stung and didn’t make it back by sunset has ever survived, we just assumed that was the point of no return.”
Minho’s realization challenges the Gladers’ long-held beliefs about the Grievers’ stings and the Serum. This moment of insight represents a turning point in their understanding of the Maze’s rules and offers hope for Alby’s survival.
5. “Stick that sucker in someone who’s been stung and it saves ’em. They go through the Changing—which sucks—but after that, they’re healed.”
This explanation of the Serum introduces a key element of the Glade’s survival mechanisms. The quote reveals crucial information about the Grievers’ venom and the mysterious “Changing” process, deepening the intrigue around the Glade’s purpose.