The Fever Code
Chapter 21
by Dashner, JamesThomas endures a grueling day marked by intense medical tests, including blood draws and a lengthy treadmill session, all while suffering from severe stomach pain and a worsening headache. His discomfort forces him to leave class early, drawing disapproval from his teachers. Since his failed escape attempt, the staff, including the usually kind Dr. Paige, have grown distant, their smiles less genuine. Thomas senses they know more than they’re sharing, deepening his isolation. His physical pain is compounded by emotional anguish as he longs to reunite with his friends, especially Teresa, whose recent absence worries him.
Lying in bed, Thomas is physically and emotionally drained, unable to eat or sleep. Suddenly, he experiences a strange buzzing in his head, which grows louder and more intrusive. Fearful he’s developing the Flare virus, he considers calling Dr. Paige for help. The buzzing escalates, and to his shock, it transforms into a voice—Teresa’s—communicating directly into his mind. Disoriented and terrified, Thomas grapples with the possibility of losing his sanity, but the voice’s familiarity gives him a glimmer of hope.
Teresa’s voice instructs Thomas to pound on his door if he can hear her, a request that feels both absurd and urgent. Despite his fear, Thomas obeys, slamming his fists against the door until his knuckles ache. The act draws attention from the staff, but before they arrive, Teresa confirms the connection worked and promises to teach him more later. Her presence vanishes abruptly, leaving Thomas bewildered yet strangely reassured. The chapter ends with Dr. Paige bursting into his room, demanding an explanation for his outburst.
This chapter highlights Thomas’s physical and emotional turmoil as he navigates the oppressive environment of WICKED. The sudden telepathic connection with Teresa introduces a pivotal development, suggesting deeper mysteries and hidden capabilities among the subjects. Thomas’s fear of insanity contrasts with his trust in Teresa, setting the stage for further exploration of their bond and the true nature of WICKED’s experiments. The tension between his isolation and the fleeting hope of connection drives the narrative forward.
FAQs
1. What physical and emotional struggles does Thomas experience in this chapter, and how do they reflect his deteriorating relationship with WICKED?
Answer:
Thomas endures severe physical pain, including stomach cramps, headaches, and exhaustion, exacerbated by invasive medical tests. Emotionally, he feels isolated and abandoned, noting the increased distance from his teachers and Dr. Paige, whose warmth now seems performative. These struggles symbolize WICKED’s exploitation of him—his body as a test subject and his trust as a tool. The chapter highlights his longing for camaraderie (e.g., missing Teresa and friends) and his growing suspicion of WICKED’s motives, particularly when he fears the Flare might not be cured. His suffering underscores the dehumanizing effects of WICKED’s experiments.2. Analyze the significance of Teresa’s telepathic communication with Thomas. How does this moment alter his understanding of reality and his trust in WICKED?
Answer:
Teresa’s telepathic message disrupts Thomas’s perception of reality, initially making him question his sanity and fear he’s contracted the Flare. The buzzing and her voice represent both hope (reconnecting with Teresa) and terror (invasion of his mind). This event deepens his distrust of WICKED, as he wonders if they lied about his immunity. The chapter’s climax—his desperate pounding on the door—mirrors his internal chaos. Teresa’s promise to “teach him later” hints at hidden capabilities WICKED may have engineered, leaving Thomas torn between relief and suspicion about their true agenda.3. How does the author use sensory details and figurative language to convey Thomas’s physical and mental state? Provide examples.
Answer:
Dashner employs vivid sensory imagery to immerse readers in Thomas’s agony. Physical pain is described viscerally: stomach cramps like “being stabbed with knives,” a headache like an “ice pick,” and the buzz as a “thunderbolt” between his eyes. Figurative language amplifies his despair: time stretches like a “cosmic catastrophe,” and his room feels fluid, “as if nothing solid existed.” These details evoke his disorientation and vulnerability. The metaphor of Teresa’s voice as a “horse galloping in his mind” contrasts with the sterile, controlled environment of WICKED, emphasizing his isolation and the unnaturalness of his experiences.4. Critical Thinking: Why might WICKED’s staff, including Dr. Paige, behave more coldly toward Thomas after his escape attempt? Discuss the potential psychological and strategic reasons.
Answer:
WICKED’s coldness likely serves two purposes. Psychologically, it isolates Thomas to increase his dependence on them and deter future rebellion. By withholding affection, they reinforce his compliance—a tactic common in manipulative systems. Strategically, distancing themselves may prevent emotional attachments that could compromise their experiments. Dr. Paige’s “knowing” eyes suggest she’s aware of Thomas’s role in their plans, and her detachment mirrors WICKED’s prioritization of data over humanity. This behavior underscores the organization’s calculated cruelty, treating subjects as variables rather than people.5. Application: If you were in Thomas’s position, how would you interpret the sudden telepathic contact from Teresa? Justify your response using evidence from the chapter.
Answer:
Like Thomas, I might initially fear madness or infection, given the Flare’s symptoms include hallucinations. However, Teresa’s specific instructions (“pound on your door”) and her identifiable “excitement” suggest a deliberate, external communication. The timing—after months of isolation—hints at WICKED’s involvement, possibly testing new technologies. Yet, Teresa’s secrecy (“taken me months to figure it out”) implies resistance to WICKED, offering a lifeline. While cautious, I’d lean toward trusting the connection, as it aligns with Thomas’s earlier bond with Teresa and provides a rare sense of agency in his controlled environment.
Quotes
1. “Ever since the supposed ‘escape’ attempt, his teachers and the staff members had seemed a little more distant. Even Dr. Paige, who’d always been so nice to him—her smile didn’t feel as genuine. And her eyes always had something behind them, like she knew a thousand things that he didn’t, and that part of her wanted to share.”
This quote captures Thomas’s growing isolation and distrust of WICKED’s staff after his failed escape attempt. It highlights the psychological manipulation at play and foreshadows the organization’s hidden agendas.
2. “Thomas would’ve gladly accepted stomach cramps and a splitting headache every day if he could only see his friends again. His chest felt tight every time he thought of their names.”
This poignant passage reveals Thomas’s deep loneliness and longing for human connection in WICKED’s sterile environment. It underscores the emotional core of his character and the importance of friendship in this dystopian setting.
3. “The days when they’d had basement get-togethers were long, long, long past. Surely some cosmic catastrophe had forever shifted the normal passing of time, stretching it out.”
This quote powerfully conveys Thomas’s sense of time distortion and loss. The repetition of “long” emphasizes his psychological state and the irreversible changes in his circumstances.
4. “Thomas, this is Teresa. […] Listen to me, the voice came again, the series of words like a horse galloping in his mind. If you can hear me, pound on your door. I’ll be able to hear it.”
This marks the crucial turning point where Teresa establishes telepathic communication with Thomas. The vivid description of the mental connection introduces a key sci-fi element of the series and sets up their special bond.
5. “Good, got it, Teresa said, a sense of excitement somehow attached to her voice. I’ll teach you how to do this later.”
This closing quote establishes Teresa’s technical prowess and hints at future developments in their communication abilities. The excitement contrasts with Thomas’s fear, showing their different perspectives on WICKED’s experiments.