The Fever Code
Chapter 36
by Dashner, JamesThe chapter begins with Thomas, still reeling from recent events, confronting Dr. Paige. Though initially furious, he hesitates to voice his concerns when he sees her. Dr. Paige offers him a day off to observe his friends in the maze, which he reluctantly accepts, suspecting it’s another experiment. She leads him to an observation room, where he watches his friends on monitors, their confusion and fear evident as they navigate their new, unfamiliar environment.
Thomas notices the boys seem disoriented and avoid each other, acting like strangers. Their interactions reveal a disturbing truth: their memories have been erased or altered, likely through their implants. The emotional weight of this realization hits Thomas hard, as he reflects on the importance of memories and identity. He watches Minho, Alby, and Newt, each reacting differently to their predicament—Minho attempting to climb the walls, Alby withdrawn and broken, and Newt struggling to make sense of their situation.
The boys’ attempts to understand their surroundings highlight their desperation. Minho tries scaling the maze walls but eventually gives up, while others gather in small groups, their hope and fear palpable. Thomas observes their interactions, noting how their lost memories have stripped them of their identities and connections. The chapter underscores the cruelty of WICKED’s experiments, as Thomas grapples with the moral implications of what has been done to his friends.
By the next morning, Thomas returns to the observation room just as the maze doors open. His friends, still memory-less, react with a mix of fear and hope as they venture into the maze’s corridors. Thomas watches, heartbroken, as they begin exploring the shifting labyrinth, unaware of the challenges ahead. The chapter ends on a somber note, emphasizing the psychological toll of WICKED’s manipulations and Thomas’s growing disillusionment with their methods.
FAQs
1. What evidence suggests that WICKED has tampered with the memories of the boys in the maze?
Answer:
The chapter provides several clues that WICKED has altered the boys’ memories. When Thomas observes them interacting, they behave like strangers, unsure of each other’s names and their own identities. For example, Newt asks Alby, “Do you know where we are?” and both struggle to recall basic information about themselves. The text explicitly states, “Those masks. That was what the masks had been for. WICKED had done something terrible to their memories.” This implies the masks were used during a memory-altering procedure, likely involving their implants. The boys’ disorientation and fragmented recall suggest deep, possibly permanent memory manipulation.2. How does Thomas react emotionally to observing his friends in the maze, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Thomas experiences a rollercoaster of emotions, from anger at WICKED’s actions to heartbreak over his friends’ suffering. Initially, he plans to confront Dr. Paige but “wilt[s]” when he sees her, showing his vulnerability. As he watches the boys, he feels their confusion and panic viscerally, particularly when seeing Alby as a “shell” of his former self and Minho’s futile attempts to escape. His heavy heart and insistence on returning to observe them further demonstrate his empathy and loyalty. These reactions highlight Thomas’s deep compassion and moral conflict, as he grapples with WICKED’s cruelty while being powerless to intervene.3. Analyze Minho’s attempts to climb the maze walls. What might this behavior symbolize about his role in the group?
Answer:
Minho’s persistent climbing attempts symbolize his innate leadership and problem-solving instincts, even without memories. While others wander aimlessly, he systematically tests all four walls, demonstrating determination and strategic thinking. His conclusion—”Can’t be done here”—shows pragmatic analysis, qualities that later define him as a Runner. The crowd’s response (cheering and joining him) also hints at his natural influence. This scene foreshadows Minho’s future role as a key figure in navigating the maze, emphasizing how core traits persist despite memory loss.4. Why might WICKED have delayed opening the maze doors until the second day, and how does this tactic serve their goals?
Answer:
WICKED likely delayed opening the doors to intensify the boys’ psychological distress and observe their baseline behavior under extreme disorientation. By trapping them first in the courtyard, they could study reactions to isolation and memory loss without the variable of the maze’s threats. This tactic mirrors real-world stress-testing, ensuring the subjects’ responses are purely instinctual. Dr. Paige’s allowance for Thomas to observe this (“its importance to the study”) confirms WICKED’s focus on gathering data about human behavior under controlled, escalating trauma.5. How does the chapter portray the ethical dilemmas surrounding WICKED’s experiments? Use specific examples to support your answer.
Answer:
The chapter highlights profound ethical violations through WICKED’s dehumanizing actions. Examples include:- Memory Erasure: The boys’ loss of identity (“I don’t even know…”) violates autonomy and inflicts psychological torture. Thomas reflects this is “far worse” than having his name taken.
- Deceptive Observation: Dr. Paige frames Thomas’s observation as a “victory,” masking surveillance as a reward.
- Exploitation of Relationships: Thomas’s anguish reveals how WICKED weaponizes empathy, using his bond with the boys to further their research.
These examples critique utilitarianism gone awry, where “the ends justify the means” logic sacrifices individual humanity for vague greater goods.
- Memory Erasure: The boys’ loss of identity (“I don’t even know…”) violates autonomy and inflicts psychological torture. Thomas reflects this is “far worse” than having his name taken.
Quotes
1. “Don’t say a word, Thomas. There are reasons for things that you don’t understand. Also know that I’m not the final say on any decision. But I did get you one victory today. How would you like the day off? You can spend it observing your friends in the maze. I feel like you deserve that much.”
This quote from Dr. Paige captures the manipulative yet seemingly benevolent dynamic between WICKED and Thomas. It highlights the organization’s control over information and their strategic concessions to maintain Thomas’s cooperation while keeping him in the dark.
2. “Those masks. That was what the masks had been for. WICKED had done something terrible to their memories. Something to do with their implants, probably. If that was the case, if this was something permanent, Thomas couldn’t imagine anything more horrible. It was all they had, their memories.”
This realization by Thomas reveals the cruel truth behind WICKED’s experiments—the deliberate erasure of memories. The passage powerfully conveys the horror of losing one’s identity and past, which becomes a central theme in the Maze Runner series.
3. “He looked broken, and it killed Thomas. This young man, whom Thomas knew as fierce and determined, always ready to tackle what came at him. WICKED had been able to turn him into nothing more than a shell.”
Thomas’s observation of Alby’s transformation underscores the devastating psychological impact of WICKED’s experiments. The contrast between Alby’s former resilience and his current state emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of the memory wipe.
4. “At least I know my name—it’s Newt. And you?” “Alby.” He said it almost like a guess.”
This tense exchange between Newt and Alby poignantly illustrates the disorientation and loss of identity among the Gladers. The uncertainty in Alby’s voice highlights how deeply their memories have been affected, making even basic self-knowledge feel fragile.
5. “The entire maze shook and he flicked on the sound. The room he sat in was suddenly filled with the rumbling sound of thunder and the giant doors began to slide open, an impossible sight to anyone who had never witnessed it before.”
This moment marks the beginning of the Gladers’ maze experience, a pivotal turning point in the narrative. The description captures both the awe-inspiring mechanics of the maze and the terrifying unknown that awaits the memory-wiped subjects.