The Maze Runner
Chapter 57
by Dashner, JamesThomas, Teresa, and Chuck enter the Griever Hole, a dark, oily tunnel leading to a hidden computer. The environment is eerie and treacherous, with slippery surfaces and near-total darkness illuminated only by Teresa’s flashlight. They quickly locate the computer terminal, where Teresa is supposed to input a code to deactivate the Grievers. Despite the urgency, Thomas remains wary, sensing the situation might be too straightforward. He and Chuck stand guard while Teresa begins typing, hoping the other Gladers are keeping the Grievers at bay outside the Hole.
As Teresa works, a Griever suddenly drops into the tunnel, attacking the group. Thomas fights back with his spear, managing to fend off the creature’s bladed appendages. In a tense struggle, he impales the Griever, killing it—a feat that shocks everyone, as these monsters have terrorized the Gladers for years. Meanwhile, Teresa struggles to input the final word of the code, as the system refuses to accept it. The victory is short-lived when two more Grievers enter the Hole, advancing menacingly toward them.
Panic sets in as Teresa repeatedly fails to input the word “PUSH,” leaving the group vulnerable. Chuck notices a small red button labeled “Kill the Maze” beneath the keyboard, suggesting an alternative solution. Before they can act, the Grievers attack again, with one gripping Thomas and another targeting Chuck. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Thomas screams “Push!”—hinting at the button’s potential to end the Maze’s deadly game, but leaving the outcome unresolved.
The chapter highlights the group’s desperation and resourcefulness as they confront the Grievers and unravel the Maze’s secrets. Thomas’s bravery and quick thinking are tested, while Teresa’s technical skills and Chuck’s observant nature prove crucial. The discovery of the red button introduces a pivotal moment, leaving readers anticipating the consequences of this last-ditch effort to survive and escape the Maze’s horrors.
FAQs
1. What physical sensations does Thomas experience when entering the Griever Hole, and what does this reveal about the nature of the passage?
Answer:
Thomas feels “a line of icy cold” that shoots across his skin from toes to head, as if jumping through “a flat plane of freezing water.” This visceral description suggests the Griever Hole is not a natural passage but likely a manufactured or technological portal. The abrupt temperature shift and disorienting darkness imply a transition between distinct environments, reinforcing the artificial, controlled nature of the Maze’s design. The slippery, oily surface further hints at mechanical or biological components, aligning with the Grievers’ hybrid creature-machine traits.2. Analyze Thomas’s battle strategy against the Griever. How does his approach evolve, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Thomas initially reacts defensively, holding his spear “as if to ward off” the Griever. However, he quickly shifts to offense: first deflecting its arm, then severing a clawed appendage, and finally leaping onto its body to impale it. This progression from fear to calculated aggression demonstrates his adaptability and tactical thinking. His victory—achieved through observation (noting the Griever’s retractable spikes) and exploitation of weaknesses—highlights his problem-solving skills and courage under pressure. The line “Maybe I can hold it off” reflects his growing confidence, a stark contrast to earlier chapters where he doubted his abilities.3. Why does Teresa’s inability to input the final word “PUSH” create tension, and how does Chuck’s observation resolve the conflict?
Answer:
The malfunctioning keyboard creates a life-or-death paradox: the Gladers believe inputting the code will deactivate the Grievers, but the system rejects the final word. This heightens tension as more Grievers arrive, making failure seem inevitable. Chuck’s seemingly random remark—”Maybe you should just push that button”—provides the literal solution: a physical button labeled “Kill the Maze” hidden near the floor. This resolution underscores themes of misdirection (the code wasn’t the true solution) and teamwork (Chuck’s peripheral observation saves them). It also critiques overcomplication, as the Gladers initially overlook the simplest answer.4. How does the description of the Griever’s death foreshadow its mechanical nature?
Answer:
The Griever dies not like a biological organism but like a machine failing: it “twitched uncontrollably,” spewing “yellow oil” (resembling hydraulic fluid) and impaling itself in erratic movements. The description of its arms swinging in “mass confusion” and losing energy “with every ounce of blood—or fuel” (emphasis added) blurs the line between organic and mechanical. The “slimy yellow goo” explosion parallels a ruptured engine, hinting at the Grievers’ true nature as biomechanical hybrids. This foreshadowing aligns with later revelations about the Maze’s purpose as an experiment.5. Evaluate the significance of the “Kill the Maze” button’s placement. What might this imply about the Creators’ intentions?
Answer:
The button’s hidden location (near the floor, easily overlooked) suggests the Creators designed the Maze as a test of observation and teamwork. Its label—”Kill the Maze”—implies destruction was always the end goal, but the Gladers had to prove their ingenuity to find it. This aligns with the novel’s themes of controlled experimentation; the Creators wanted subjects to struggle before succeeding. The button’s simplicity contrasts with the elaborate code, perhaps mocking the Gladers’ overcomplication. Its discovery through Chuck—the youngest and least experienced—reinforces that survival requires diverse perspectives.
Quotes
1. “A line of icy cold shot across Thomas’s skin as he entered the Griever Hole, starting from his toes and continuing up his whole body, as if he’d jumped through a flat plane of freezing water.”
This vivid sensory description captures the visceral horror of entering the Griever Hole, establishing the chapter’s tense atmosphere and the physical stakes of the characters’ mission.
2. “Thomas couldn’t help thinking it seemed too easy, too good to be true.”
This quote reflects the chapter’s central tension—the apparent simplicity of their task (entering the code) versus the lurking danger. It foreshadows the complications to come and Thomas’s growing suspicion.
3. “Thomas watched in sick fascination as the Griever twitched uncontrollably, spewing the yellow oil in every direction… He’d just defeated a Griever, one of the monsters that had terrorized the Gladers for more than two years.”
This moment represents a major turning point—the first tangible proof that the Grievers can be defeated. The grotesque imagery underscores the brutality of their world while marking a shift from helplessness to empowerment.
4. “A small red button was set into the wall only a few inches above the floor. Three black words were printed there, so obvious he couldn’t believe he’d missed it earlier. Kill the Maze”
This climactic revelation encapsulates the chapter’s core theme of hidden solutions and overlooked clues. The blunt imperative “Kill the Maze” serves as both literal instruction and symbolic resolution to their ordeal.
5. “‘Push!’ Thomas screamed, louder than he’d thought possible for a human being to s…”
The truncated final line (mirroring the chapter’s abrupt ending) creates dramatic tension while symbolizing the ultimate act of defiance—the decisive action that could end their nightmare. The raw intensity of Thomas’s scream underscores the life-or-death stakes.