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    Science FictionYoung Adult

    The Fever Code

    by Dashner, James
    “The Fever Code” by James Dashner is a prequel to the “Maze Runner” series, exploring the origins of the Glade and the Maze. The story follows Thomas and his childhood friend Teresa as they navigate the sinister experiments of WICKED, the organization behind the trials. Key themes include trust, survival, and the ethical dilemmas of scientific experimentation. The novel provides crucial backstory, revealing how the characters’ pasts shape their futures in the Maze. Dashner’s tense narrative and world-building deepen the series’ lore, making it essential for fans.
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    The Fever Code

    Chapter 22

    by Dashner, James

    In Chap­ter 21 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas grap­ples with doubt and des­per­a­tion as he seeks con­fir­ma­tion from Tere­sa about her role in his unset­tling expe­ri­ences. Tor­ment­ed by the ques­tion “Am I crazy?” he con­fronts Dr. Paige, demand­ing reas­sur­ance about his immu­ni­ty to the Flare virus. She pro­vides a detailed sci­en­tif­ic expla­na­tion, swear­ing on her life that his immu­ni­ty is med­ical­ly proven. Though ini­tial­ly skep­ti­cal, Thomas finds solace in her sin­cer­i­ty, yet his under­ly­ing anx­i­ety per­sists, espe­cial­ly about the pos­si­bil­i­ty of unknow­ing­ly suc­cumb­ing to the virus like Newt. His inter­nal con­flict high­lights his frag­ile trust in those around him.

    Thomas’s tur­moil deep­ens as he reflects on his con­ver­sa­tion with Dr. Paige, torn between hope and fear regard­ing Teresa’s tele­path­ic com­mu­ni­ca­tion. When Tere­sa reach­es out again, she explains that their men­tal con­nec­tion stems from neur­al implants, urg­ing Thomas to focus and “press through” the for­eign pres­ence in his mind. Though ini­tial­ly awk­ward, Thomas begins to accept the sur­re­al nature of their link. Teresa’s guid­ance becomes a life­line, push­ing him to explore his own con­scious­ness, though he strug­gles to respond tele­path­i­cal­ly, feel­ing fool­ish yet deter­mined to mas­ter this new abil­i­ty.

    Over the fol­low­ing days, Thomas ded­i­cates him­self to hon­ing his men­tal con­nec­tion with Tere­sa, despite the frus­tra­tion of nav­i­gat­ing an intan­gi­ble process. He shifts from lit­er­al think­ing to a more abstract approach, visu­al­iz­ing his mind as a manip­u­la­ble space. This break­through allows him to iden­ti­fy the implant’s pres­ence and attempt com­mu­ni­ca­tion. His first suc­cess­ful message—a sim­ple “Teresa”—elicits a sharp reac­tion, con­firm­ing progress. Though clum­sy, this inter­ac­tion fuels his deter­mi­na­tion, and Tere­sa encour­ages him to keep prac­tic­ing, albeit with a play­ful warn­ing about the inten­si­ty of his men­tal “poke.”

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in Thomas’s grow­ing mas­tery of the tele­path­ic link, mark­ing a turn­ing point in his rela­tion­ship with Tere­sa. His ini­tial fear and con­fu­sion give way to cau­tious opti­mism as he embraces the strange new real­i­ty of their con­nec­tion. The chap­ter under­scores themes of trust, self-dis­cov­ery, and resilience, as Thomas nav­i­gates both sci­en­tif­ic assur­ances and super­nat­ur­al chal­lenges. His jour­ney reflects the broad­er strug­gle of the immune subjects—caught between hope and uncertainty—as they uncov­er the truth about their iden­ti­ties and the world around them.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What evidence does Dr. Paige provide to convince Thomas of his immunity to the Flare?

      Answer:
      Dr. Paige presents multiple scientific justifications to reassure Thomas of his immunity. She explains that specific biological markers in his blood, DNA, and cerebrospinal fluid are consistent with immune individuals and absent in non-immune ones. Additionally, brain scans confirm the Flare virus resides in his body without affecting his physical or mental functions. She emphasizes that his immunity has been stable for years, with no signs of mutation or deterioration. Her sworn oath on “the graves of countless loved ones” further reinforces her credibility, convincing Thomas of her sincerity (e.g., “I swear that I’ve never lied to you… You’re as immune as science and medicine can possibly conclude”).

      2. How does Teresa’s telepathic communication with Thomas evolve in this chapter, and what does it reveal about their implants?

      Answer:
      Initially, Teresa’s telepathic contact shocks Thomas, but he gradually adapts. She explains that their brain implants enable this connection, describing it as “pressing through” a foreign object in their minds. Thomas struggles to reciprocate at first, but after days of mental practice, he learns to locate and manipulate the implant’s presence, eventually sending a rudimentary message (“Teresa”). This progression highlights the implants’ dual role: they facilitate psychic communication but require conscious effort to activate. Teresa’s guidance (“Probe your mind to find the foreign object… Press through it”) underscores the experimental nature of their link and hints at WICKED’s broader manipulation of their abilities.

      3. Analyze Thomas’s internal conflict about his sanity. How does Dr. Paige respond to his fears, and what does this reveal about their relationship?

      Answer:
      Thomas repeatedly questions his mental state, asking, “Am I crazy?” and worrying he might unknowingly be a Crank. His paranoia stems from Teresa’s unexplained telepathy and WICKED’s history of psychological tests. Dr. Paige addresses his concerns with a mix of scientific reassurance (“You’re as immune as science can conclude”) and deflection, joking that his existential doubts belong in “philosophy class.” Her avoidance of deeper discussion suggests she either dismisses his fears or is complicit in WICKED’s manipulations. However, her oath (“I swear on the graves…”) temporarily comforts Thomas, revealing his desperate need for trust in an environment designed to erode it.

      4. How does the chapter portray Thomas’s perseverance in learning telepathic communication? What literary techniques emphasize this struggle?

      Answer:
      The chapter depicts Thomas’s efforts as grueling and abstract, comparing his mental probing to using “imaginary fingers” to flip a “light switch” in his brain. Dashner employs visceral metaphors (e.g., “electrocute my eyeballs”) to convey the discomfort of the process. The repetitive structure—”For several days and nights he worked at it”—highlights his determination. Teresa’s encouragement (“Don’t give up!”) and Thomas’s incremental progress (e.g., his triumphant “whoop” after a breakthrough) create narrative tension. These techniques underscore the psychological toll of WICKED’s experiments while foreshadowing Thomas’s growing agency against the system.

      5. Evaluate Dr. Paige’s credibility in this chapter. Is her reassurance to Thomas convincing? Why or why not?

      Answer:
      Dr. Paige’s credibility is deliberately ambiguous. While her scientific explanations about immunity appear thorough (e.g., citing “brain scans” and “DNA markers”), her evasion of Thomas’s deeper questions—like dismissing his sanity fears as “philosophy”—raises red flags. Her emotional appeal (“I swear on the graves…”) seems genuine but could also be manipulative, given WICKED’s history of deception. Thomas’s momentary trust (“he truly believed her”) contrasts with the chapter’s lingering unease, particularly when Teresa’s telepathy resurfaces. The text invites readers to question whether Paige is a benevolent guardian or another instrument of control, mirroring Thomas’s fractured sense of reality.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Am I crazy?”

      This quote captures Thomas’s internal turmoil and self-doubt as he questions his sanity after hearing Teresa’s voice in his head. It represents a key moment of psychological tension in the chapter.

      2. “I swear to you, Thomas. I swear on the graves of the countless loved ones who have died…I swear that I’ve never lied to you. You’re as immune as science and medicine can possibly conclude.”

      Dr. Paige’s emotional oath to Thomas about his immunity status is significant as it shows both her attempt to reassure him and the gravity of their situation in the post-apocalyptic world. This moment temporarily restores Thomas’s trust in her.

      3. “Do any of the Cranks actually know that they’ve lost their minds? How do we know we’re not Cranks?”

      This philosophical question Thomas poses reveals the deep existential fear underlying their world - the inability to trust one’s own mind. It’s a central theme in the series about perception versus reality.

      4. “Probe your mind to find the foreign object, then focus on it. Press through it. You won’t know what I’m talking about until you try.”

      Teresa’s instructions about using their brain implants represent a turning point where Thomas begins developing his telepathic abilities. This marks the start of their special connection that becomes crucial to the story.

      5. “And next time, try not to electrocute my eyeballs.”

      This humorous exchange during their telepathic practice shows the developing relationship between Thomas and Teresa, providing a rare moment of levity in an otherwise tense chapter while still advancing the plot.

    Quotes

    1. “Am I crazy?”

    This quote captures Thomas’s internal turmoil and self-doubt as he questions his sanity after hearing Teresa’s voice in his head. It represents a key moment of psychological tension in the chapter.

    2. “I swear to you, Thomas. I swear on the graves of the countless loved ones who have died…I swear that I’ve never lied to you. You’re as immune as science and medicine can possibly conclude.”

    Dr. Paige’s emotional oath to Thomas about his immunity status is significant as it shows both her attempt to reassure him and the gravity of their situation in the post-apocalyptic world. This moment temporarily restores Thomas’s trust in her.

    3. “Do any of the Cranks actually know that they’ve lost their minds? How do we know we’re not Cranks?”

    This philosophical question Thomas poses reveals the deep existential fear underlying their world - the inability to trust one’s own mind. It’s a central theme in the series about perception versus reality.

    4. “Probe your mind to find the foreign object, then focus on it. Press through it. You won’t know what I’m talking about until you try.”

    Teresa’s instructions about using their brain implants represent a turning point where Thomas begins developing his telepathic abilities. This marks the start of their special connection that becomes crucial to the story.

    5. “And next time, try not to electrocute my eyeballs.”

    This humorous exchange during their telepathic practice shows the developing relationship between Thomas and Teresa, providing a rare moment of levity in an otherwise tense chapter while still advancing the plot.

    FAQs

    1. What evidence does Dr. Paige provide to convince Thomas of his immunity to the Flare?

    Answer:
    Dr. Paige presents multiple scientific justifications to reassure Thomas of his immunity. She explains that specific biological markers in his blood, DNA, and cerebrospinal fluid are consistent with immune individuals and absent in non-immune ones. Additionally, brain scans confirm the Flare virus resides in his body without affecting his physical or mental functions. She emphasizes that his immunity has been stable for years, with no signs of mutation or deterioration. Her sworn oath on “the graves of countless loved ones” further reinforces her credibility, convincing Thomas of her sincerity (e.g., “I swear that I’ve never lied to you… You’re as immune as science and medicine can possibly conclude”).

    2. How does Teresa’s telepathic communication with Thomas evolve in this chapter, and what does it reveal about their implants?

    Answer:
    Initially, Teresa’s telepathic contact shocks Thomas, but he gradually adapts. She explains that their brain implants enable this connection, describing it as “pressing through” a foreign object in their minds. Thomas struggles to reciprocate at first, but after days of mental practice, he learns to locate and manipulate the implant’s presence, eventually sending a rudimentary message (“Teresa”). This progression highlights the implants’ dual role: they facilitate psychic communication but require conscious effort to activate. Teresa’s guidance (“Probe your mind to find the foreign object… Press through it”) underscores the experimental nature of their link and hints at WICKED’s broader manipulation of their abilities.

    3. Analyze Thomas’s internal conflict about his sanity. How does Dr. Paige respond to his fears, and what does this reveal about their relationship?

    Answer:
    Thomas repeatedly questions his mental state, asking, “Am I crazy?” and worrying he might unknowingly be a Crank. His paranoia stems from Teresa’s unexplained telepathy and WICKED’s history of psychological tests. Dr. Paige addresses his concerns with a mix of scientific reassurance (“You’re as immune as science can conclude”) and deflection, joking that his existential doubts belong in “philosophy class.” Her avoidance of deeper discussion suggests she either dismisses his fears or is complicit in WICKED’s manipulations. However, her oath (“I swear on the graves…”) temporarily comforts Thomas, revealing his desperate need for trust in an environment designed to erode it.

    4. How does the chapter portray Thomas’s perseverance in learning telepathic communication? What literary techniques emphasize this struggle?

    Answer:
    The chapter depicts Thomas’s efforts as grueling and abstract, comparing his mental probing to using “imaginary fingers” to flip a “light switch” in his brain. Dashner employs visceral metaphors (e.g., “electrocute my eyeballs”) to convey the discomfort of the process. The repetitive structure—”For several days and nights he worked at it”—highlights his determination. Teresa’s encouragement (“Don’t give up!”) and Thomas’s incremental progress (e.g., his triumphant “whoop” after a breakthrough) create narrative tension. These techniques underscore the psychological toll of WICKED’s experiments while foreshadowing Thomas’s growing agency against the system.

    5. Evaluate Dr. Paige’s credibility in this chapter. Is her reassurance to Thomas convincing? Why or why not?

    Answer:
    Dr. Paige’s credibility is deliberately ambiguous. While her scientific explanations about immunity appear thorough (e.g., citing “brain scans” and “DNA markers”), her evasion of Thomas’s deeper questions—like dismissing his sanity fears as “philosophy”—raises red flags. Her emotional appeal (“I swear on the graves…”) seems genuine but could also be manipulative, given WICKED’s history of deception. Thomas’s momentary trust (“he truly believed her”) contrasts with the chapter’s lingering unease, particularly when Teresa’s telepathy resurfaces. The text invites readers to question whether Paige is a benevolent guardian or another instrument of control, mirroring Thomas’s fractured sense of reality.

    Note