The Fever Code
Chapter 38
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 37 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas, Teresa, Dr. Paige, and Chuck accompany a boy named Zart as he is prepared for insertion into the Box, a key component of WICKED’s maze trials. Zart, unconscious from a powerful sedative, is transported via elevator to the facility’s basement, where Thomas reflects on the eerie process of memory erasure. The group remains mostly silent during the descent, with Thomas pondering the psychological impact of waking up devoid of memories. The basement holds personal significance for Thomas, as it was where he formed friendships that transformed his life.
The group arrives at the Box, a simple yet ominous structure connected to the Glade above. Dr. Paige explains the regimented schedule for future insertions, emphasizing WICKED’s controlled approach. Teresa expresses mixed feelings about the maze—both fear and envy—while Thomas downplays his own growing curiosity about the Glade’s reality. The nurses awkwardly maneuver Zart into the Box, highlighting the crude nature of the process despite WICKED’s advanced technology. Chuck’s sarcastic questions and Dr. Paige’s rare humor provide brief moments of levity amid the tension.
The insertion process is clumsy, with Zart accidentally dropped into the Box, causing a loud crash. Dr. Paige brushes off the mishap, focusing instead on the upcoming observations of Zart’s behavior post-awakening. The group returns to the command room, leaving Chuck behind to shield him from the harsh reality of the trials. Dr. Paige’s excitement about the “interesting patterns” they expect to observe underscores WICKED’s clinical detachment from the subjects’ suffering.
The chapter concludes with Thomas and Teresa watching Zart’s awakening in the Box, imagining his terror and confusion. The scene underscores the moral ambiguity of WICKED’s experiments, as the characters grapple with their roles in the process. The chapter leaves readers with a sense of unease, foreshadowing the escalating brutality of the trials and the emotional toll on those involved.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “Swipe” procedure mentioned in the chapter, and how does it relate to WICKED’s experiments?
Answer:
The “Swipe” procedure refers to the memory-erasure process that subjects like Zart undergo before being inserted into the Glade via the Box. This is a critical component of WICKED’s experiments, as it allows them to study human behavior in controlled, high-stress environments without the interference of past memories. The chapter highlights how unsettling this process is—Thomas reflects on how terrifying it must be to wake up with no recollection of friends, family, or personal history. The Swipe underscores WICKED’s manipulative methods, prioritizing their research over the psychological well-being of the subjects.2. Analyze the dynamics between Thomas, Teresa, and Dr. Paige during Zart’s insertion. What do their interactions reveal about their roles and attitudes toward WICKED’s mission?
Answer:
The interactions reveal a complex hierarchy and varying levels of compliance with WICKED’s agenda. Dr. Paige maintains authority, occasionally showing rare humor (e.g., joking about coffee), but remains focused on the mission. Thomas and Teresa, while involved in the process, display subtle resistance—Thomas critiques the crude insertion method, and Teresa expresses disdain for the procedure. Their telepathic exchanges (“So lame,” “They always keep their options open”) suggest private skepticism, contrasting with their outward cooperation. Chuck, though curious, is kept at a distance, reflecting Thomas’s protective instincts. These dynamics hint at underlying tensions between obedience and dissent within WICKED’s ranks.3. How does the chapter portray the psychological impact of the Maze on the Gladers, particularly through Zart’s experience?
Answer:
The chapter emphasizes the trauma of the Maze through Zart’s impending insertion and Thomas’s reflections. Zart’s unconscious state and the violent drop into the Box symbolize the dehumanizing nature of the experiment. Thomas imagines the terror of waking up in darkness with erased memories, highlighting the psychological cruelty of WICKED’s design. Teresa admits the Maze both “scares” and “excites” her, acknowledging the Gladers’ fleeting freedom before “the crap’ll hit the fan.” This duality underscores the experiment’s exploitative nature: it strips subjects of identity while weaponizing their adaptability for research.4. Why does the author include Chuck’s perspective in this scene, and how does it contribute to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Chuck serves as a foil to the older characters, embodying naïve curiosity and unwitting vulnerability. His questions (“Why not put a door in the Box?”) expose the absurdity of WICKED’s methods, while his excitement contrasts with the gravity of the situation. Thomas’s protectiveness—shielding Chuck from witnessing Zart’s anguish—foreshadows Chuck’s eventual fate and reinforces the theme of lost innocence. Chuck’s presence also humanizes Thomas, revealing his moral conflict over preparing Chuck for a grim future versus sparing him pain.5. Evaluate the symbolism of the Box and its mechanical design. How does it reflect WICKED’s broader goals?
Answer:
The Box symbolizes WICKED’s cold, mechanistic approach to humanity. Its seamless, doorless design—requiring a clumsy ladder insertion—mirrors the organization’s prioritization of control over practicality or compassion. The “magical lift to a brand-new world” irony underscores the false promise of the Glade: a fabricated paradise masking a deadly experiment. The Box’s darkness and isolation parallel the psychological void created by the Swipe, reinforcing WICKED’s reduction of individuals to expendable data points. This imagery critiques the dehumanization inherent in utilitarian scientific pursuits.
Quotes
1. “What’s it like? he wondered, staring down at Zart’s sleeping face. How weird it must be to wake up with your memories erased… To have a completely intact picture of the world and how it was…but with everything that mattered scrubbed out. Friends, families, places. It was a fascinating and terrible thing.”
This quote captures the central horror of WICKED’s experiments - the deliberate erasure of personal identity and relationships. Thomas’s contemplation highlights the ethical dilemma of their work, blending scientific curiosity with moral unease.
2. “The crap’ll hit the fan soon enough, Teresa finally agreed.”
A pivotal moment where Teresa acknowledges the dark reality beneath the surface of their experiments. This brief exchange foreshadows the coming escalation of WICKED’s trials and the loss of innocence for both the subjects and the observers.
3. “With all the sophistication surrounding WICKED and their trials and experiments and technological wonders, there wasn’t much fanfare to the Box itself… A magical lift to a brand-new world.”
This ironic description contrasts WICKED’s advanced technology with the crude mechanics of the Box, symbolizing how their grand experiments ultimately reduce human subjects to mere objects in a mechanical process.
4. “Everything we do is for a reason,” Paige answered, but she didn’t try very hard to make it sound convincing.”
Dr. Paige’s hollow justification represents the moral ambiguity of WICKED’s mission. The lack of conviction in her voice suggests even the leaders struggle to rationalize their actions, despite their supposed higher purpose.
5. “Thomas watched, Teresa beside him… Together, Thomas and Teresa watched, and imagined what it must be like.”
This poignant conclusion shows the characters’ growing empathy and dread as they confront the reality of what they’re helping create. Their shared silence speaks volumes about their moral awakening.