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    DystopianScience FictionYoung Adult

    The Maze Runner

    by Dashner, James
    “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade surrounded by an ever-shifting maze. With no memory of his past, he joins a group of similarly amnesiac boys known as the Gladers, who must navigate the deadly labyrinth to survive. The maze is patrolled by biomechanical creatures called Grievers, adding to the danger. As Thomas uncovers fragments of his identity, he learns they are part of a sinister experiment. Themes of survival, identity, and societal control drive the plot, culminating in a gripping struggle for freedom. The novel’s fast-paced action and intricate world-building make it a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
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    The Maze Runner

    Chapter 25

    by Dashner, James

    The chap­ter opens with a tense Coun­cil meet­ing where Min­ho makes a shock­ing pro­pos­al, leav­ing the group in stunned silence. Gal­ly imme­di­ate­ly dis­miss­es the idea as absurd, demand­ing Minho’s removal from the Coun­cil, which eras­es any sym­pa­thy Thomas had for him. Chaos erupts as Keep­ers like Fry­pan sup­port Min­ho while oth­ers, such as Win­ston, oppose him. Newt even­tu­al­ly restores order, chastis­ing the group for their child­ish behav­ior and insist­ing they act like adults. He then gives Min­ho the floor to explain his pro­pos­al, set­ting the stage for a heat­ed debate.

    Min­ho defends his stance by high­light­ing Thomas’s excep­tion­al brav­ery and resilience, con­trast­ing it with the fear and dis­ori­en­ta­tion most Gladers ini­tial­ly expe­ri­enced. He recounts how Thomas risked his life to save oth­ers in the Maze, defied odds to res­cue Alby, and stood his ground against Griev­ers. Gal­ly inter­rupts, dis­miss­ing Thomas’s actions as mere luck, which pro­vokes Minho’s fury. The ten­sion esca­lates as Min­ho accus­es Gal­ly of hypocrisy and cow­ardice, point­ing out Gally’s refusal to ever become a Run­ner. The con­fronta­tion turns phys­i­cal when Min­ho shoves Gal­ly to the ground and threat­ens him, leav­ing the room in shock.

    Gal­ly, humil­i­at­ed and enraged, deliv­ers a chill­ing warn­ing before storm­ing out. He declares that the group’s lead­er­ship is flawed and vows to bring change, direct­ing his hatred par­tic­u­lar­ly at Thomas. He claims to have seen Thomas before dur­ing the Chang­ing and omi­nous­ly promis­es to stop him, even if it means killing him. His exit leaves an uneasy silence, with Thomas grap­pling with fear and con­fu­sion over Gally’s threats and the unre­solved ten­sion in the room.

    The chap­ter under­scores the deep­en­ing divi­sions among the Gladers, with Minho’s pas­sion­ate defense of Thomas clash­ing against Gally’s hos­til­i­ty. Thomas’s emo­tions swing between grat­i­tude for Minho’s sup­port and dread over Gally’s vendet­ta. The con­fronta­tion reveals the fragili­ty of order with­in the Glade, fore­shad­ow­ing poten­tial con­flict. Gally’s depar­ture marks a turn­ing point, leav­ing the group—and Thomas—on edge about what his threats might mean for their future.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What was Minho’s controversial proposal that caused such a strong reaction from the Council, and how did he defend it?

      Answer:
      Minho proposed that Thomas should be made a Runner, which sparked immediate outrage from several Council members, particularly Gally. Minho defended his proposal by highlighting Thomas’s exceptional bravery and competence in the Maze. He emphasized how Thomas, unlike others who took months to adjust, acted selflessly within days of arrival—saving Alby and Minho despite the dangers. Minho contrasted Thomas’s quick thinking under Griever attacks with typical newbie behavior, arguing his actions demonstrated unique Runner potential. The defense included specific examples like Thomas’s physical endurance in hoisting Alby up the wall and his strategic diversion of Grievers, which Minho—as the veteran Runner—found unprecedented.

      2. Analyze how power dynamics shift during the confrontation between Gally and Minho. What does this reveal about leadership in the Glade?

      Answer:
      The confrontation exposes fragile hierarchies and competing authority structures. Gally challenges Minho’s proposal through formal Council protocols (demanding Minho’s removal), but Minho undermines Gally’s credibility by attacking his inexperience as a Runner. Physical violence (Minho shoving Gally) escalates the conflict, revealing how leadership in the Glade balances democratic debate with raw competence and intimidation. Newt’s intervention—rebuking both sides while asserting Council authority—highlights the tension between maintaining order and accommodating strong personalities. Gally’s final threat (“Things are going to change”) suggests dissent that could destabilize the group, emphasizing how leadership relies on both respect and fear in this high-stakes environment.

      3. How does Gally’s final monologue reframe the chapter’s central conflict, and what foreshadowing does it introduce?

      Answer:
      Gally’s exit speech shifts the conflict from Thomas’s potential role as a Runner to a broader ideological battle. His claim of having “been through the Changing” implies hidden knowledge about Thomas’s past, framing him as an existential threat rather than just a rule-breaker. The murderous vow (“Kill you if I have to”) introduces foreshadowing of future violence, while his accusation that Newt is a failed leader hints at possible rebellion. The “things are different now” warning suggests Gally may rally dissenters, positioning him as a antagonist who views compromise as weakness. This reframes the chapter’s debate from internal governance to survival-level stakes.

      4. Evaluate Minho’s argument for Thomas’s promotion through the lens of the Glade’s social rules. Which norms does he appeal to or challenge?

      Answer:
      Minho strategically appeals to the Glade’s meritocratic values while challenging its rigidity. He acknowledges the norm that Runners earn their status through time and training (“It takes forever to become a Runner”) but argues Thomas’s exceptional actions transcend these requirements. By mocking Gally’s hypocrisy over rule-breaking (since Gally was also stung), Minho challenges blind adherence to protocols. However, he reinforces the Glade’s emphasis on proven courage and Maze-specific skills—the very criteria the Council respects. His argument succeeds by framing Thomas as an outlier who fulfills the spirit of Glader ideals (self-sacrifice, resilience) better than the letter of its rules.

      5. What does Newt’s leadership during the Council meeting reveal about his management style and the challenges he faces?

      Answer:
      Newt demonstrates a pragmatic, crisis-driven leadership style. His outburst (“Act like [adults] or we’ll disband this bloody Council”) shows low tolerance for infighting, prioritizing functionality over harmony. However, his measured handling of Minho’s proposal—allowing debate while curtailing personal attacks—reveals adaptability. The challenges he faces include mediating between strong personalities (Minho’s aggression, Gally’s resentment) and maintaining unity amid escalating tensions. His failure to prevent Gally’s exit underscores the limits of his authority; the Glade’s leadership depends on voluntary cooperation, which Gally’s defiance threatens. Newt’s style balances firmness with flexibility, but the chapter hints this may be insufficient for looming conflicts.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I’ve never seen anything like it. He didn’t panic. He didn’t whine and cry, never seemed scared. Dude, he’d been here for just a few days.”

      Minho defends Thomas’s exceptional bravery and composure in the Maze, contrasting his behavior with typical newcomers. This quote highlights Thomas’s unique qualities and sets up the central argument for why he deserves to be a Runner.

      2. “Think about the willpower and strength it took him to push Alby up that wall, inch by inch. It’s psycho. It’s freaking crazy.”

      Minho emphasizes Thomas’s extraordinary physical and mental resilience during the Griever attack. This moment underscores Thomas’s heroic actions and reinforces Minho’s case for his promotion.

      3. “Gally, you’re nothing but a sissy who has never, not once, asked to be a Runner or tried out for it. You don’t have the right to talk about things you don’t understand. So shut your mouth.”

      Minho’s brutal dismissal of Gally’s objections reveals the deep conflict between characters and establishes Gally as an outsider to the Runner experience. This marks a turning point in their confrontation.

      4. “Things are different now… Whatever you came here for—I swear on my life I’m gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to.”

      Gally’s ominous threat as he exits the Council meeting foreshadows future conflict. This quote reveals his transformation into an antagonist and hints at his knowledge from the Changing, raising stakes for Thomas.

      5. “He didn’t get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what it’s like in the Maze, especially at night. And he still stepped out there, just as the Door was closing, only caring that two people needed help.”

      Minho argues that Thomas’s rule-breaking was justified by his selfless motives. This encapsulates the moral tension between following rules and doing what’s right, a key theme in the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “I’ve never seen anything like it. He didn’t panic. He didn’t whine and cry, never seemed scared. Dude, he’d been here for just a few days.”

    Minho defends Thomas’s exceptional bravery and composure in the Maze, contrasting his behavior with typical newcomers. This quote highlights Thomas’s unique qualities and sets up the central argument for why he deserves to be a Runner.

    2. “Think about the willpower and strength it took him to push Alby up that wall, inch by inch. It’s psycho. It’s freaking crazy.”

    Minho emphasizes Thomas’s extraordinary physical and mental resilience during the Griever attack. This moment underscores Thomas’s heroic actions and reinforces Minho’s case for his promotion.

    3. “Gally, you’re nothing but a sissy who has never, not once, asked to be a Runner or tried out for it. You don’t have the right to talk about things you don’t understand. So shut your mouth.”

    Minho’s brutal dismissal of Gally’s objections reveals the deep conflict between characters and establishes Gally as an outsider to the Runner experience. This marks a turning point in their confrontation.

    4. “Things are different now… Whatever you came here for—I swear on my life I’m gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to.”

    Gally’s ominous threat as he exits the Council meeting foreshadows future conflict. This quote reveals his transformation into an antagonist and hints at his knowledge from the Changing, raising stakes for Thomas.

    5. “He didn’t get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what it’s like in the Maze, especially at night. And he still stepped out there, just as the Door was closing, only caring that two people needed help.”

    Minho argues that Thomas’s rule-breaking was justified by his selfless motives. This encapsulates the moral tension between following rules and doing what’s right, a key theme in the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. What was Minho’s controversial proposal that caused such a strong reaction from the Council, and how did he defend it?

    Answer:
    Minho proposed that Thomas should be made a Runner, which sparked immediate outrage from several Council members, particularly Gally. Minho defended his proposal by highlighting Thomas’s exceptional bravery and competence in the Maze. He emphasized how Thomas, unlike others who took months to adjust, acted selflessly within days of arrival—saving Alby and Minho despite the dangers. Minho contrasted Thomas’s quick thinking under Griever attacks with typical newbie behavior, arguing his actions demonstrated unique Runner potential. The defense included specific examples like Thomas’s physical endurance in hoisting Alby up the wall and his strategic diversion of Grievers, which Minho—as the veteran Runner—found unprecedented.

    2. Analyze how power dynamics shift during the confrontation between Gally and Minho. What does this reveal about leadership in the Glade?

    Answer:
    The confrontation exposes fragile hierarchies and competing authority structures. Gally challenges Minho’s proposal through formal Council protocols (demanding Minho’s removal), but Minho undermines Gally’s credibility by attacking his inexperience as a Runner. Physical violence (Minho shoving Gally) escalates the conflict, revealing how leadership in the Glade balances democratic debate with raw competence and intimidation. Newt’s intervention—rebuking both sides while asserting Council authority—highlights the tension between maintaining order and accommodating strong personalities. Gally’s final threat (“Things are going to change”) suggests dissent that could destabilize the group, emphasizing how leadership relies on both respect and fear in this high-stakes environment.

    3. How does Gally’s final monologue reframe the chapter’s central conflict, and what foreshadowing does it introduce?

    Answer:
    Gally’s exit speech shifts the conflict from Thomas’s potential role as a Runner to a broader ideological battle. His claim of having “been through the Changing” implies hidden knowledge about Thomas’s past, framing him as an existential threat rather than just a rule-breaker. The murderous vow (“Kill you if I have to”) introduces foreshadowing of future violence, while his accusation that Newt is a failed leader hints at possible rebellion. The “things are different now” warning suggests Gally may rally dissenters, positioning him as a antagonist who views compromise as weakness. This reframes the chapter’s debate from internal governance to survival-level stakes.

    4. Evaluate Minho’s argument for Thomas’s promotion through the lens of the Glade’s social rules. Which norms does he appeal to or challenge?

    Answer:
    Minho strategically appeals to the Glade’s meritocratic values while challenging its rigidity. He acknowledges the norm that Runners earn their status through time and training (“It takes forever to become a Runner”) but argues Thomas’s exceptional actions transcend these requirements. By mocking Gally’s hypocrisy over rule-breaking (since Gally was also stung), Minho challenges blind adherence to protocols. However, he reinforces the Glade’s emphasis on proven courage and Maze-specific skills—the very criteria the Council respects. His argument succeeds by framing Thomas as an outlier who fulfills the spirit of Glader ideals (self-sacrifice, resilience) better than the letter of its rules.

    5. What does Newt’s leadership during the Council meeting reveal about his management style and the challenges he faces?

    Answer:
    Newt demonstrates a pragmatic, crisis-driven leadership style. His outburst (“Act like [adults] or we’ll disband this bloody Council”) shows low tolerance for infighting, prioritizing functionality over harmony. However, his measured handling of Minho’s proposal—allowing debate while curtailing personal attacks—reveals adaptability. The challenges he faces include mediating between strong personalities (Minho’s aggression, Gally’s resentment) and maintaining unity amid escalating tensions. His failure to prevent Gally’s exit underscores the limits of his authority; the Glade’s leadership depends on voluntary cooperation, which Gally’s defiance threatens. Newt’s style balances firmness with flexibility, but the chapter hints this may be insufficient for looming conflicts.

    Note