The Fever Code
Chapter 40
by Dashner, JamesThe chapter opens with Alby and Newt discovering George, who has been stung by an unknown creature in the maze. Newt shouts at the unseen observers, demanding help, unaware of WICKED’s involvement. Thomas, watching through surveillance cameras, realizes the Gladers have no knowledge of their captors or the purpose of their imprisonment. George’s condition deteriorates rapidly, his agonized moans unsettling the group as they carry him to the Glade’s center, drawing the attention of other boys. WICKED abandons secrecy, flooding the area with beetle blades to monitor the situation.
Nick takes charge, explaining that George was attacked by a mysterious creature, possibly the same one Minho had mentioned. The Gladers debate how to help George, as their medical supplies are limited. Frypan recalls discarding a syringe labeled “serum” earlier, prompting Alby to angrily confront him. The group retrieves the syringe, hoping it might save George, whose condition worsens as he struggles to breathe. The urgency escalates as Frypan returns with the serum, but George appears near death, his body limp and unresponsive.
Nick administers the serum, but instead of improving, George undergoes a terrifying transformation. He awakens with inhuman strength, screaming about Grievers and attacking another boy violently. The Gladers are horrified as George, now seemingly deranged, claws and punches with uncontrollable fury. Despite their efforts to restrain him, George overpowers them, his behavior resembling that of a “Crank.” Alby, realizing the severity of the situation, arms himself with a sharpened wooden shaft and prepares to intervene as George continues his brutal assault.
In a desperate act, Alby impales George through the neck, silencing his rampage. The chapter ends abruptly as George collapses, leaving the Gladers in shock. The event underscores the brutality of their environment and the unseen dangers of the maze. Thomas and Teresa, observing from afar, are left grappling with the realization that WICKED’s experiments have dire consequences, and the Gladers are pawns in a larger, more sinister game. The chapter highlights the themes of survival, desperation, and the moral ambiguity of WICKED’s actions.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Newt shouting at the camera, and how does this moment reveal the Gladers’ understanding of their situation?
Answer:
Newt’s outburst at the camera (“Hey! Whoever sent us here! Send us some medicine…”) highlights the Gladers’ limited awareness of WICKED and their desperate, frustrated state. This moment reveals they don’t know who controls the Maze or why they’re there—only that they’re being observed (via beetle blade cameras) and trapped in a dangerous environment. Thomas’s internal reaction (“It was crazy that Newt… didn’t know WICKED existed”) underscores the dramatic irony: readers and Thomas understand the broader context, while the Gladers are left in terrifying ignorance, amplifying the tension.2. Analyze the escalating crisis with George after the Griever sting. How does the chapter use this event to explore themes of survival and morality?
Answer:
George’s transformation from a stung victim to a violent “Crank-like” attacker forces the Gladers to make brutal survival choices. The failed serum attempt and Alby’s eventual lethal intervention (spearing George) reveal the harsh morality of their world: mercy and violence collide when resources are scarce. The scene critiques WICKED’s experimentation—the Gladers are left unprepared, relying on guesswork (e.g., Nick injecting the serum randomly). The boys’ panic and Alby’s drastic action underscore how the Maze strips away civilized norms, reducing survival to primal instincts.3. How does the chapter use contrasting perspectives (Thomas observing vs. the Gladers experiencing) to deepen the narrative tension?
Answer:
Thomas’s surveillance perspective (“wishing he still had an overhead view”) creates dramatic irony, as readers see both his helplessness and the Gladers’ raw, unfiltered trauma. While Thomas knows about WICKED, the Gladers misinterpret events (e.g., Chuck thinking “this is just some kind of test”). This contrast heightens tension—readers anticipate worse outcomes than the characters. Teresa’s telepathic warning (“This is not going to end well”) bridges these perspectives, reminding us that even informed observers like Thomas are powerless to intervene, deepening the sense of dread.4. Evaluate the significance of Frypan’s discovery of the serum. How does this subplot reflect the Gladers’ resourcefulness and systemic vulnerabilities?
Answer:
Frypan’s accidental discovery of the discarded serum (initially dismissed as “a mistake”) highlights both luck and negligence in their survival. The Gladers’ lack of medical knowledge (“Anyone know how to do this?”) exposes WICKED’s cruel design—they’re given tools without instructions. Alby’s anger at Frypan (“No wonder you wanna cook—ain’t got brains for nothin’ else”) reveals the group’s fractured trust under stress. This subplot underscores their dependency on WICKED’s erratic supplies and their struggle to improvise, making their survival feel precarious and unearned.5. Why might Dashner have chosen to juxtapose the Gladers’ earlier humor (e.g., Frypan’s nickname debate) with George’s horrific fate?
Answer:
The dark humor around Frypan’s name (“A few snickers broke out… incongruous to the situation”) contrasts sharply with George’s agony, emphasizing the Gladers’ psychological coping mechanisms. This juxtaposition makes the subsequent violence more jarring, mirroring how trauma disrupts mundane moments. The shift from laughter to horror also mirrors the Maze’s unpredictability—security is illusory. By framing George’s death amid trivial disputes, Dashner critiques how desensitization and denial emerge in oppressive systems, making the Gladers’ reactions feel tragically human.
Quotes
1. “Hey! Whoever sent us here! Send us some medicine. How ’bout a bloody doctor? Better yet, why don’t you take us out of this hellhole!”
This desperate shout from Newt captures the Gladers’ frustration and ignorance about their situation. It highlights their complete lack of control and understanding of WICKED’s experiments, setting the tone for the chapter’s themes of helplessness and rebellion.
2. “It stung me. No one had mentioned anything to Thomas about being stung. It had to have something to do with one of those metal appendages that extended from the creatures’ bodies.”
This moment reveals the first encounter with a Griever’s sting and its terrifying effects. It marks a turning point where the Gladers realize the true danger of the Maze, foreshadowing the horrors to come.
3. “This is just some kind of test. They want to see how everyone reacts.”
Chuck’s line underscores the Gladers’ growing awareness that they’re subjects in an experiment. This quote represents the chapter’s central conflict - the characters’ struggle to understand WICKED’s cruel methodologies while facing life-threatening situations.
4. “George was on his feet, his mouth open, his face stretched in a painful grimace. He shouted in a strained voice, ‘Griever! It was a damn Griever! They’ll kill us all!’”
This violent transformation shows the horrifying effects of the Griever sting and serum. The quote is pivotal as it demonstrates the extreme physical and mental changes the virus causes, escalating the chapter’s tension dramatically.
5. “Alby reached him and thrust the makeshift spear into the back of George’s neck with enough force that it burst through to the other side.”
This brutal moment represents the harsh reality of survival in the Glade. Alby’s drastic action shows how quickly situations can turn deadly, emphasizing the extreme measures required to maintain order in their dangerous environment.