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    DystopianScience FictionYoung Adult

    The Maze Runner

    by Dashner, James
    “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade surrounded by an ever-shifting maze. With no memory of his past, he joins a group of similarly amnesiac boys known as the Gladers, who must navigate the deadly labyrinth to survive. The maze is patrolled by biomechanical creatures called Grievers, adding to the danger. As Thomas uncovers fragments of his identity, he learns they are part of a sinister experiment. Themes of survival, identity, and societal control drive the plot, culminating in a gripping struggle for freedom. The novel’s fast-paced action and intricate world-building make it a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
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    The Maze Runner

    Chapter 28

    by Dashner, James

    In Chap­ter 28 of *The Maze Run­ner*, Thomas and Newt leave the Home­stead after wit­ness­ing Alby’s dis­turb­ing behav­ior, which has left Thomas shak­en. Despite his nau­sea, Newt insists they eat, and they head to the kitchen, where Thomas notices Fry­pan’s wary glances. This rein­forces Thomas’s grow­ing aware­ness that he is per­ceived dif­fer­ent­ly in the Glade. Over lunch, they dis­cuss Alby’s unprece­dent­ed reac­tion dur­ing the Chang­ing, spec­u­lat­ing whether the Maze’s cre­ators can con­trol them. Newt also reveals plans to arrest Gal­ly for his vio­lent threats, which Thomas wel­comes, though he wor­ries about esca­lat­ing ten­sions.

    Newt out­lines Thomas’s imme­di­ate future: stay­ing close to him for the day, then train­ing with Min­ho as a Run­ner. Thomas sur­pris­ing­ly feels lit­tle fear about re-enter­ing the Maze, see­ing it as an escape from the Glade’s social com­plex­i­ties. Their con­ver­sa­tion shifts to the recur­ring theme of impend­ing change, echoed by Gal­ly, Alby, Ben, and the comatose girl. Newt press­es Thomas to con­front the pos­si­bil­i­ty that he may have a hid­den con­nec­tion to the Glade, despite his mem­o­ry loss. Thomas reluc­tant­ly admits he felt an eerie famil­iar­i­ty upon arrival, unlike the oth­ers’ ini­tial ter­ror.

    Newt urges Thomas to active­ly search his mind for clues, empha­siz­ing the urgency of uncov­er­ing his past. Sus­pi­cion lingers beneath Newt’s calm demeanor, leav­ing Thomas uneasy about his trust­wor­thi­ness. The chap­ter takes a dark­er turn when Newt sug­gests vis­it­ing the comatose girl to trig­ger Thomas’s mem­o­ries, fol­lowed by a demand for full dis­clo­sure about Alby’s words. Thomas hes­i­tates, fear­ing the con­se­quences of reveal­ing his secrets, includ­ing his feel­ings for the girl. The ten­sion between hon­esty and self-preser­va­tion weighs heav­i­ly on him.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Newt’s chill­ing sug­ges­tion: if all else fails, Thomas could be inten­tion­al­ly stung by a Griev­er to under­go the Chang­ing and recov­er his mem­o­ries. This stark ulti­ma­tum under­scores the des­per­a­tion of their sit­u­a­tion. As they walk toward the Home­stead, Thomas grap­ples with the fear that Newt may turn against him, leav­ing his future in the Glade uncer­tain. The chap­ter high­lights themes of trust, iden­ti­ty, and the lengths one might go to uncov­er the truth in a world designed to keep them in the dark.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Thomas’s reaction to the Glade differ from the other Gladers’ initial experiences, and why might this be significant?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s experience contrasts sharply with other Gladers, as he felt an unsettling familiarity with the Glade upon arrival rather than fear or confusion. While most Gladers spent their first week terrified and disoriented (“klunkin’ our pants and bawlin’ our eyes out”), Thomas felt oddly comfortable, even drawn to becoming a Runner. This distinction is significant because it hints at Thomas’s potential prior connection to the Glade or the Maze, as later suggested by Alby, Gally, and Ben’s Changing-induced memories. His atypical reaction raises questions about his role in the larger system controlling the Glade, foreshadowing revelations about his identity.

      2. Analyze Newt’s approach to uncovering Thomas’s potential secrets. What methods does he propose, and what does this reveal about his leadership style?

      Answer:
      Newt employs a multi-pronged strategy: he instructs Thomas to actively search his memories (“strain your mind”), observe the comatose girl for triggers, and recount Alby’s words. He also threatens extreme measures—sending Thomas to the Grievers for the Changing—to extract memories if necessary. This reveals Newt as pragmatic and decisive, prioritizing the Glade’s safety over individual comfort. However, his willingness to listen to Thomas’s perspective (“open your mind”) shows he balances authority with collaboration. His leadership is goal-oriented but not tyrannical, as seen when he reassures Thomas despite clear suspicions.

      3. What conflicting emotions does Thomas grapple with regarding his role in the Glade, and how does this internal conflict develop his character?

      Answer:
      Thomas experiences a push-pull dynamic: he resents being entangled in the Glade’s crises (“things just seemed to be getting worse”) yet actively participates in solving them, even embracing his Runner role. While he fears Gally’s retaliation, he resolves not to show fear (“I’m not scared of that guy anymore”). This conflict highlights his transition from passive observer to engaged participant. His simultaneous dread and curiosity about his past (“I want to know who I am”) deepen his complexity, showing a protagonist torn between self-preservation and the need for truth—a tension that drives his character arc.

      4. How does the chapter develop the theme of memory and identity through Thomas’s interactions with Newt?

      Answer:
      The chapter intensifies the memory-identity theme by juxtaposing Thomas’s fragmented recall with others’ accusations. Newt pressures Thomas to confront his unexplained familiarity with the Glade, framing memory as a collective survival tool (“for all our sakes”). The recurring mentions of the Changing—and its violent extraction of memories—emphasize that identity in the Glade is both weaponized and suppressed. Thomas’s hesitation to share his feelings about the girl and Alby’s words underscores the tension between truth and self-protection, illustrating how memory (or its absence) shapes trust and power dynamics in the group.

      5. Evaluate the significance of Gally’s impending punishment. How does this subplot reflect the Glade’s social structure?

      Answer:
      Gally’s jailing for threatening Thomas reinforces the Glade’s fragile social contract: order is maintained through strict consequences (“he’s lucky we don’t Banish him”). Newt’s insistence on punishment, despite Thomas’s mixed feelings, demonstrates that rules transcend personal conflicts. However, the focus on deterrence (“make bloody sure it never happens again”) over rehabilitation hints at the system’s limitations—Gally’s hatred may fester. This mirrors broader tensions in the Glade, where survival demands unity but secrets and distrust continually undermine it. The subplot also contrasts Thomas’s growing integration with Gally’s alienation, highlighting divergent responses to crisis.

    Quotes

    • 1. “No matter what he did, he was becoming more and more entwined in the dealings of the Glade. And he was growing to expect it.”

      This quote captures Thomas’s growing acceptance of his deepening involvement in the Glade’s mysteries, marking a shift from resistance to reluctant participation. It reflects the chapter’s theme of inescapable entanglement in the community’s struggles.

      2. “I can see your wheels spinnin’… Talk.”

      Newt’s demand represents a pivotal moment where Thomas is pressured to reveal his hidden thoughts about the Glade’s familiarity. This exchange underscores the chapter’s exploration of memory and Thomas’s unique connection to the environment.

      3. “But I did feel like I’d been here before when I first got here… Anyone else go through that?”

      Thomas’s confession about his strange familiarity with the Glade reveals his crucial difference from other Gladers, hinting at his special role in their situation. This moment drives the chapter’s central mystery about Thomas’s true identity and purpose.

      4. “If all else fails… we’ll send ya to the Grievers—get ya stung so you can go through the Changing. We need your memories.”

      Newt’s chilling ultimatum represents the extreme measures the Gladers are willing to take to uncover the truth, showcasing the desperate stakes of their situation. This threat serves as the chapter’s dramatic conclusion and foreshadows future conflicts.

    Quotes

    1. “No matter what he did, he was becoming more and more entwined in the dealings of the Glade. And he was growing to expect it.”

    This quote captures Thomas’s growing acceptance of his deepening involvement in the Glade’s mysteries, marking a shift from resistance to reluctant participation. It reflects the chapter’s theme of inescapable entanglement in the community’s struggles.

    2. “I can see your wheels spinnin’… Talk.”

    Newt’s demand represents a pivotal moment where Thomas is pressured to reveal his hidden thoughts about the Glade’s familiarity. This exchange underscores the chapter’s exploration of memory and Thomas’s unique connection to the environment.

    3. “But I did feel like I’d been here before when I first got here… Anyone else go through that?”

    Thomas’s confession about his strange familiarity with the Glade reveals his crucial difference from other Gladers, hinting at his special role in their situation. This moment drives the chapter’s central mystery about Thomas’s true identity and purpose.

    4. “If all else fails… we’ll send ya to the Grievers—get ya stung so you can go through the Changing. We need your memories.”

    Newt’s chilling ultimatum represents the extreme measures the Gladers are willing to take to uncover the truth, showcasing the desperate stakes of their situation. This threat serves as the chapter’s dramatic conclusion and foreshadows future conflicts.

    FAQs

    1. How does Thomas’s reaction to the Glade differ from the other Gladers’ initial experiences, and why might this be significant?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s experience contrasts sharply with other Gladers, as he felt an unsettling familiarity with the Glade upon arrival rather than fear or confusion. While most Gladers spent their first week terrified and disoriented (“klunkin’ our pants and bawlin’ our eyes out”), Thomas felt oddly comfortable, even drawn to becoming a Runner. This distinction is significant because it hints at Thomas’s potential prior connection to the Glade or the Maze, as later suggested by Alby, Gally, and Ben’s Changing-induced memories. His atypical reaction raises questions about his role in the larger system controlling the Glade, foreshadowing revelations about his identity.

    2. Analyze Newt’s approach to uncovering Thomas’s potential secrets. What methods does he propose, and what does this reveal about his leadership style?

    Answer:
    Newt employs a multi-pronged strategy: he instructs Thomas to actively search his memories (“strain your mind”), observe the comatose girl for triggers, and recount Alby’s words. He also threatens extreme measures—sending Thomas to the Grievers for the Changing—to extract memories if necessary. This reveals Newt as pragmatic and decisive, prioritizing the Glade’s safety over individual comfort. However, his willingness to listen to Thomas’s perspective (“open your mind”) shows he balances authority with collaboration. His leadership is goal-oriented but not tyrannical, as seen when he reassures Thomas despite clear suspicions.

    3. What conflicting emotions does Thomas grapple with regarding his role in the Glade, and how does this internal conflict develop his character?

    Answer:
    Thomas experiences a push-pull dynamic: he resents being entangled in the Glade’s crises (“things just seemed to be getting worse”) yet actively participates in solving them, even embracing his Runner role. While he fears Gally’s retaliation, he resolves not to show fear (“I’m not scared of that guy anymore”). This conflict highlights his transition from passive observer to engaged participant. His simultaneous dread and curiosity about his past (“I want to know who I am”) deepen his complexity, showing a protagonist torn between self-preservation and the need for truth—a tension that drives his character arc.

    4. How does the chapter develop the theme of memory and identity through Thomas’s interactions with Newt?

    Answer:
    The chapter intensifies the memory-identity theme by juxtaposing Thomas’s fragmented recall with others’ accusations. Newt pressures Thomas to confront his unexplained familiarity with the Glade, framing memory as a collective survival tool (“for all our sakes”). The recurring mentions of the Changing—and its violent extraction of memories—emphasize that identity in the Glade is both weaponized and suppressed. Thomas’s hesitation to share his feelings about the girl and Alby’s words underscores the tension between truth and self-protection, illustrating how memory (or its absence) shapes trust and power dynamics in the group.

    5. Evaluate the significance of Gally’s impending punishment. How does this subplot reflect the Glade’s social structure?

    Answer:
    Gally’s jailing for threatening Thomas reinforces the Glade’s fragile social contract: order is maintained through strict consequences (“he’s lucky we don’t Banish him”). Newt’s insistence on punishment, despite Thomas’s mixed feelings, demonstrates that rules transcend personal conflicts. However, the focus on deterrence (“make bloody sure it never happens again”) over rehabilitation hints at the system’s limitations—Gally’s hatred may fester. This mirrors broader tensions in the Glade, where survival demands unity but secrets and distrust continually undermine it. The subplot also contrasts Thomas’s growing integration with Gally’s alienation, highlighting divergent responses to crisis.

    Note