The Maze Runner
Chapter 11
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 11 of *The Maze Runner*, Thomas encounters a horrifying confrontation with Ben, a boy who has been severely affected by the Changing. Ben, emaciated and barely recognizable, attacks Thomas with a knife, his eyes filled with madness. He accuses Thomas of being a threat to the Gladers, screaming that Thomas is “bad” and must be killed. Alby intervenes, aiming a bow at Ben and demanding he stand down, but Ben’s frenzy escalates until Alby is forced to shoot him. The arrow strikes Ben’s cheek, leaving him lifeless on the ground, while Thomas is left shaken and guilt-ridden.
Thomas struggles to process the traumatic event, haunted by the image of Ben’s death and the unanswered questions about why Ben targeted him. Alby dismisses the incident, stating the Baggers will handle the body, but Thomas is left alone with his thoughts. Overwhelmed, he vomits from the stress and horror of the encounter. As he reflects on his first 24 hours in the Glade, he clings to the hope that things will improve, though the violence and chaos suggest otherwise.
That night, Thomas is unable to sleep, tormented by memories of Ben’s attack and the sound of the arrow hitting its mark. Chuck tries to console him, downplaying the incident as something that has happened before, but Thomas is too disturbed to engage. He spends the night wrestling with anger, grief, and confusion, eventually falling into a fitful sleep. The next morning, he is exhausted and emotionally numb, barely able to function as Chuck helps him through his routine.
Despite his exhaustion, Thomas is assigned to train with Newt at the Blood House, where he hopes to distract himself from the trauma. However, his mind wanders, and he fails to pay attention to Newt’s instructions, still preoccupied with the events of the previous day. The chapter ends with Thomas struggling to reconcile his fear and confusion with the demands of life in the Glade, leaving his future uncertain.
FAQs
1. What physical and behavioral changes does Ben exhibit in this chapter, and what do they suggest about his condition?
Answer:
Ben’s physical state is alarming: he is emaciated, with “whiter-than-white skin stretched across his bones,” and his veins are visibly pulsing and green. His behavior is erratic and violent—he crouches to attack Thomas with a knife, speaks in a “voice full of madness,” and chants “bad, bad, bad” while swaying. These changes suggest he is suffering from the aftereffects of “the Changing,” a condition Alby mentions. The transformation has left Ben paranoid and aggressive, particularly toward Thomas, whom he accuses of being a threat to the group. His deterioration highlights the psychological and physical toll of the Glade’s environment.2. How does Alby handle the confrontation with Ben, and what does this reveal about his leadership role in the Glade?
Answer:
Alby remains calm and authoritative during the confrontation, using a bow and arrow to threaten Ben while giving him clear warnings (“I’m gonna count to three”). His steady hands and composed demeanor contrast with Ben’s hysteria, showing his experience in managing crises. Alby’s actions reveal his role as a leader who enforces order, even through lethal means if necessary. His quick decision to shoot Ben when he attacks demonstrates the harsh realities of survival in the Glade, where extreme measures are taken to protect the community from internal threats.3. Why does Ben accuse Thomas of being “bad,” and how does this contribute to the chapter’s tension?
Answer:
Ben claims he “saw” Thomas and insists, “He’s not one of us!” This accusation implies that Ben’s visions during the Changing revealed something ominous about Thomas, though the specifics are unclear. The ambiguity heightens tension, as Thomas (and the reader) is left questioning whether Ben’s claims are delusional or based on truth. This conflict introduces doubt about Thomas’s role in the Glade and foreshadows future revelations about his potential connection to the Maze. The scene also underscores the psychological horror of the Changing, where memories or visions distort reality.4. Analyze Thomas’s emotional response to Ben’s death. How does it reflect his character development in this chapter?
Answer:
Thomas is horrified by Ben’s death, fixating on the gruesome details (the arrow in Ben’s cheek, the twitching finger) and questioning whether he is responsible. His physical reaction—vomiting and trembling—shows his sensitivity to violence, contrasting with Alby’s detached pragmatism. This event marks a turning point for Thomas, as he grapples with guilt and trauma while realizing the Glade’s brutality. His inability to sleep or focus the next day reveals his deepening emotional turmoil, setting the stage for his growing determination to understand the Maze and his place in it.5. How does the chapter’s ending hint at broader themes of memory and identity in The Maze Runner?
Answer:
Thomas’s fleeting thought about hot dogs—wondering when he last ate one and with whom—subtly reintroduces the theme of lost memory. His disorientation mirrors the Gladers’ collective amnesia, emphasizing the novel’s central mystery: who they are and why they’re trapped. The chapter’s closing lines, where Thomas struggles to focus on Newt’s instructions, further highlight his fragmented identity. These moments suggest that recovering memories (like Ben’s accusations) will be key to unraveling the Glade’s secrets, tying personal identity to the larger conflict of survival and escape.
Quotes
1. “He’s not one of us! I saw him—he’s … he’s bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!”
This quote captures Ben’s deranged accusation against Thomas, revealing the deep paranoia and hostility triggered by the Changing. It’s a pivotal moment that raises questions about Thomas’s true nature and foreshadows future conflicts.
2. “He’ll wanna take us home. He’ll wanna get us out of the Maze. Better we all jumped off the Cliff! Better we tore each other’s guts out!”
Ben’s chilling words hint at the deeper mysteries of the Glade and the Maze, suggesting that escape might be more dangerous than staying. This quote introduces important themes about the true nature of their confinement.
3. “Thomas knew he’d never forget those few terrible minutes in the graveyard.”
This simple yet powerful statement underscores the traumatic impact of Ben’s attack and death on Thomas. It marks a turning point in his experience in the Glade, showing how quickly innocence is lost in this harsh environment.
4. “He wanted to cry, but didn’t. He wanted to find Alby and punch him, for no reason whatsoever, but didn’t. He wanted to scream and kick and spit and open up the Box and jump into the blackness below. But he didn’t.”
This passage beautifully captures Thomas’s internal turmoil and suppressed emotions after the traumatic events. It shows his growing complexity as a character and the psychological toll of life in the Glade.
5. “When’s the last time I had a hot dog? Who did I eat it with?”
This seemingly mundane thought reveals the persistent mystery of Thomas’s past and the frustration of his lost memories. It represents the ongoing theme of identity and the search for self that drives much of the narrative.