The Maze Runner
Chapter 20
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 20 of *The Maze Runner*, Thomas faces a life-or-death struggle against a Griever, a monstrous creature that relentlessly pursues him along the Maze walls. The chapter opens with the Griever tearing through stone and ivy, its spiked arms and bright light fixated on Thomas. Realizing escape is his only option, Thomas untangles himself from a vine and decides to move sideways, avoiding both upward and downward paths to protect Alby and survive. The tension escalates as the Griever closes in, forcing Thomas to swing precariously from vine to vine like a “tree-climbing monkey” to outmaneuver the creature.
Thomas’s desperation grows as the Griever gains ground, its terrifying sounds of cracking rock echoing behind him. He risks burning his hands while descending rapidly, using the vines to lower himself closer to the Maze floor. In a heart-stopping moment, he slams into a wall, loses his grip, and barely avoids falling to his death. The Griever nearly catches him, but Thomas kicks its clawed arm, buying himself a split-second advantage. However, his momentum sends him crashing into the creature’s grotesque body, forcing him to push off and evade its deadly needles and claws.
Despite sustaining a deep scratch on his back, Thomas manages to slide down a vine and reach the ground. He sprints through the Maze, refusing to look back as the Griever crashes behind him. Thomas mentally maps his route, hoping to retrace his steps if he survives. The chase continues, with Thomas running tirelessly, his body pushed to its limits. He considers turning to fight, but exhaustion and fear weigh heavily on him. The chapter’s pace mirrors his frantic struggle, emphasizing the relentless danger of the Maze.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Thomas rounds a corner and comes face-to-face with three additional Grievers blocking his path. This shocking revelation leaves him panting and trapped, with no clear escape. The encounter heightens the stakes, underscoring the Maze’s unforgiving nature and Thomas’s dwindling chances of survival. The chapter masterfully combines action, suspense, and emotional turmoil, leaving readers eager to see how Thomas will confront this new threat.
FAQs
1. What are the key strategies Thomas uses to evade the Griever in this chapter, and how do they reflect his quick thinking under pressure?
Answer:
Thomas employs several survival strategies in this intense chase sequence. First, he uses the ivy vines to swing laterally along the wall, moving like a “tree-climbing monkey” to create distance. Second, he intentionally slips lower on the vines to descend closer to the ground while maintaining momentum. Third, when forced into close combat, he kicks off the Griever’s body to avoid its claws and needles. These actions demonstrate his adaptability—assessing options (up/down/sideways), using the environment creatively, and making split-second decisions. His ability to track his path through the Maze while fleeing (“Right, then left…”) further shows his strategic thinking despite extreme duress, as noted in his hope to “use the information to return to the Door again.”2. How does the author build tension during the Griever chase scene? Analyze specific literary techniques used.
Answer:
The author heightens tension through sensory details and pacing. Auditory cues like “bone-shuddering cracking and splitting rock” emphasize the Griever’s relentless approach, while tactile descriptions (vine burns, “gushy skin” contact) immerse readers in Thomas’s physical struggle. Short, abrupt sentences (“He had to go to the side.”) mirror his urgency. The delayed revelation of the three Grievers ahead—after paragraphs of single-minded pursuit—creates a cliffhanger. Additionally, the Griever’s evolving movements (no more “pauses or stops,” altered course to follow Thomas) escalate stakes, culminating in the visceral moment Thomas kicks its claw amid a “swarm of needles.”3. What does Thomas’s internal monologue (“I’m sorry, Alby”) reveal about his character development in this chapter?
Answer:
This brief thought underscores Thomas’s moral growth and sense of responsibility. Earlier in the novel, he often acted impulsively, but here he acknowledges the potential consequences of his actions on others—specifically, that fleeing might redirect the Griever toward Alby. The apology shows his empathy and guilt, contrasting with his initial self-preservation instincts. However, his subsequent decision to lure the Griever away (“Finally, something went right”) confirms his willingness to sacrifice himself for others, a key theme in his arc. This duality—self-reliance versus communal duty—mirrors the Gladers’ broader struggle for survival.4. How does the chapter’s setting (the Maze walls and ivy vines) function as both an obstacle and a tool for survival?
Answer:
The Maze’s physical structure creates paradoxical challenges and opportunities. The towering walls limit escape routes (forcing Thomas to choose between “up,” “down,” or “side”), while the ivy vines—though painful (“scorching pain,” “raw skin”)—become lifelines for swinging and descending. The abrupt dead-end where Thomas slams into a turning wall nearly proves fatal, yet the vines allow him to redirect momentum. Even the Griever’s wall-climbing ability, facilitated by “sharp picks,” contrasts with Thomas’s reliance on organic vines, highlighting the tension between mechanical and natural elements in their struggle.5. The chapter ends with a cliffhanger: Thomas encountering three additional Grievers. Predict how this situation might influence his decisions in subsequent chapters, citing evidence from his behavior in this chapter.
Answer:
Given Thomas’s pattern of quick adaptation in this chapter, he will likely prioritize evasion over confrontation. His earlier success with environmental tactics (vine-swinging, kicking off the Griever) suggests he might exploit the Maze’s layout to pit the Grievers against each other or find an unseen escape route. However, exhaustion (“scream of exhaustion from his body”) may force him to rely on allies—perhaps signaling a return to teamwork themes. The encounter could also accelerate his understanding of Griever behavior, as he previously noted their movement patterns (“no more pauses or stops”). His tracking of his path hints he might use this knowledge to circle back to safety if possible.
Quotes
1. “Thomas felt the last drop of hope drain from his body.”
This quote captures the pivotal moment when Thomas realizes the direness of his situation, marking a turning point in the chapter where survival instincts must override fear. It underscores the emotional intensity of the scene.
2. “Like some tree-climbing monkey, Thomas found he could move more quickly than he ever could’ve hoped.”
This passage highlights Thomas’s adaptability and desperation, showing how he taps into unexpected physical capabilities under extreme pressure. It represents a brief moment of agency amid chaos.
3. “Pulsing with adrenaline, Thomas drew his legs together and pulled them tight against his chest… he kicked out with both feet to push off, squirming to avoid the swarm of needles and claws.”
This visceral description of Thomas’s fight for survival against the Griever emphasizes the chapter’s relentless action and the protagonist’s resilience. It’s a key physical confrontation in the narrative.
4. “He wondered if it’d just be easier to turn and fight, get it over with.”
This internal monologue reveals Thomas’s psychological exhaustion and the temptation of surrender, adding depth to the survival narrative. It precedes the chapter’s climactic twist.
5. “Three Grievers were up ahead, rolling along as they dug their spikes into the stone, coming directly toward him.”
The chapter’s closing lines deliver a devastating cliffhanger, exponentially raising the stakes after Thomas’s narrow escape. This quote sets up the next phase of the protagonist’s ordeal.