
The Maze Runner
Chapter 14
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 14 of *The Maze Runner*, the Gladers carry out Ben’s banishment for his attempted murder of Thomas. Alby, the leader, solemnly fastens a leather collar around Ben’s neck, attaching it to a long pole while Ben pleads desperately for mercy. His cries are met with silence from the crowd, and Thomas feels a mix of guilt and anger as he watches the scene unfold. Alby’s stern demeanor and Ben’s pitiful state create a tense atmosphere, highlighting the harsh justice of the Glade.
The chapter delves into the ritualistic nature of the banishment, with the Keepers, including Newt and Minho, taking their positions along the pole. Ben’s frantic pleas and sobs go unanswered as the Gladers prepare to expel him into the Maze. Thomas struggles with conflicting emotions, shifting from anger to sympathy as he questions the fairness of Ben’s punishment. The scene is charged with dread, emphasizing the brutal consequences of breaking the Glade’s rules.
As the East Door begins to close, the Keepers force Ben toward the Maze, ignoring his screams and struggles. The description of Ben’s desperation—his thrashing, cries, and final attempts to resist—paints a harrowing picture of his fate. Thomas, overwhelmed, tries to avoid witnessing the execution but is unable to escape the horror. The closing door symbolizes the irreversible nature of banishment, sealing Ben’s doom.
The chapter ends with Ben’s final, inhuman screams as he is left outside the Glade, his fate sealed by the closing walls. Thomas, tears streaming down his face, is left to grapple with the trauma of what he has witnessed. The event underscores the Glade’s merciless survival code and leaves Thomas haunted by his role in Ben’s punishment, foreshadowing deeper conflicts and moral dilemmas to come.
FAQs
1. What is the punishment being carried out on Ben, and why was it deemed necessary by the Gladers?
Answer:
Ben is being banished from the Glade as punishment for attempting to murder Thomas. The sentence is carried out by attaching a leather collar around Ben’s neck connected to a long pole, which the Keepers use to push him into the Maze just before the doors close for the night. Alby explains that this harsh punishment is necessary to maintain order and survival in the Glade, stating, “If we let shanks like you get away with that stuff, we never would’ve survived this long.” The Gladers believe strict consequences are essential to deter violence and maintain their fragile society.2. How does Thomas’s emotional response to Ben’s banishment evolve throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Thomas experiences a rollercoaster of emotions during Ben’s banishment. Initially, he feels guilt and confusion as Ben pleads for mercy, with every word feeling “like a fist punching Thomas in the gut.” His guilt then turns to anger and blame, wishing for the ordeal to be over. However, as Ben’s desperation grows, Thomas begins to question the fairness of the punishment, wondering if something could be done to help Ben. By the end, he is overwhelmed with horror and sorrow, closing his eyes as tears trickle down his cheeks, showing his deep internal conflict about the brutality of the Glade’s justice system.3. Analyze the symbolism of the Banishment Pole and the closing Doors in this scene.
Answer:
The Banishment Pole and the closing Doors serve as powerful symbols of the Glade’s rigid structure and the finality of its punishments. The pole, a physical connection between Ben and his executioners, represents the collective enforcement of the Glade’s rules, with each Keeper participating in the act. The closing Doors symbolize the irreversible nature of banishment—once they shut, there is no return, much like the Gladers’ loss of humanity in carrying out such a brutal act. The scene’s imagery (sparks, rumbling, Ben’s screams) heightens the sense of dread, emphasizing the merciless reality of their survival-driven society.4. Why might the author have chosen to depict Ben’s transformation into a seemingly “alien” figure by the end of the chapter?
Answer:
Ben’s dehumanization—described as having “madness in his eyes” and resembling something “alien”—serves to highlight the psychological and physical toll of the Changing and the Glade’s harsh punishments. By stripping Ben of his humanity, the author underscores the brutality of his fate and the Gladers’ desensitization to violence. It also forces Thomas (and the reader) to confront the horror of their world, where fear and survival can reduce people to monstrous versions of themselves. This transformation makes Ben’s banishment even more unsettling, blurring the line between victim and monster.5. How does this chapter reinforce the theme of order vs. chaos in The Maze Runner?
Answer:
The chapter starkly contrasts the Gladers’ rigid system of order with the underlying chaos of their environment. The ritualistic banishment—complete with formal language (“Ben of the Builders”) and structured participation of the Keepers—shows their attempt to impose control. However, Ben’s frantic screams, the violent execution method, and Thomas’s emotional turmoil reveal the chaos simmering beneath the surface. The Gladers’ extreme measures to preserve order ultimately expose the fragility of their society, suggesting that their rules may be as destructive as the Maze itself. This tension drives the novel’s central conflict: whether their system is truly sustainable or inherently flawed.
Quotes
1. “Ben of the Builders, you’ve been sentenced to Banishment for the attempted murder of Thomas the Newbie. The Keepers have spoken, and their word ain’t changing. And you ain’t coming back. Ever.”
This quote marks the pivotal moment of judgment in the chapter, showcasing the Gladers’ harsh justice system. Alby’s ceremonial declaration underscores the inflexible rules of their society and the severity of Ben’s punishment.
2. “Every word from the kid was like a fist punching Thomas in the gut, making him feel more guilty and confused.”
This line captures Thomas’s internal conflict as he wrestles with his role in Ben’s fate. It highlights the emotional weight of the situation and Thomas’s growing moral complexity.
3. “Thomas couldn’t believe he was still looking upon a human being—the madness in Ben’s eyes, the phlegm flying from his mouth, the pale skin stretched taut across his veins and bones. He looked as alien as anything Thomas could imagine.”
This visceral description represents the chapter’s climax, showing Ben’s complete dehumanization during his banishment. It emphasizes the horror of the Glade’s punishment system and its psychological impact on both victim and witnesses.
4. “Thomas squeezed his eyes shut and was surprised to feel tears trickling down his cheeks.”
The chapter’s closing line reveals Thomas’s unexpected emotional response, showing his developing empathy and the moral burden he carries. This moment foreshadows his growing resistance to the Glade’s harsh ways.