
The Maze Runner
Chapter 34
by Dashner, JamesThomas wakes to an unnaturally gray sky, devoid of the sun or any signs of dawn. The Gladers are in chaos, gathered near the Box, panicked by the disappearance of the sun. Though alarmed, Thomas remains rational, concluding the sky must be artificial—a fabricated environment. This realization suggests their entire world is artificial, a truth the others seem to grasp only now. Chuck, visibly frightened, questions Thomas, who struggles to explain the phenomenon but reassures him that the leaders will find answers.
Minho arrives, insisting they proceed with their plans despite the eerie sky. Thomas is surprised they’re still heading into the Maze, but Minho argues the urgency has only increased. As they prepare, Thomas debates whether to share Teresa’s cryptic message about triggering “the Ending,” fearing the others might think him insane. He decides to stay silent, focusing on the day’s training. The gray sky lingers as a grim reminder of the Glade’s artificiality, deepening Thomas’s unease.
While running through the Maze, Minho spots a Griever lurking ahead. The creature is motionless, reminiscent of the dead one they’d seen earlier. Thomas panics, but Minho cautiously observes it, only to discover it has vanished. The sudden disappearance heightens the tension, forcing them to reconsider their path. The encounter leaves Thomas unsettled, reinforcing the dangers of the Maze and the unpredictability of their environment.
The chapter underscores the Gladers’ growing desperation as their world unravels. The missing sun and the Griever’s appearance suggest deeper mysteries and imminent threats. Thomas’s internal conflict—whether to reveal Teresa’s message—adds to the suspense, while Minho’s determination reflects their dwindling options. The artificial sky and lurking Grievers symbolize the Glade’s controlled yet perilous nature, pushing the Gladers closer to a breaking point.
FAQs
1. What does the disappearance of the sun reveal about the nature of the Glade’s environment?
Answer:
The disappearance of the sun suggests that the Glade’s environment is artificial and fabricated. Thomas realizes that the sun they had seen for two years was not real, as a real sun cannot simply vanish. The sky appears as a “dull slab of gray,” resembling a ceiling rather than a natural sky. This leads Thomas to conclude that the entire setting—including the sun, sky, and likely the surrounding Maze—is a constructed simulation. The chapter emphasizes this revelation when Thomas thinks, “Everything about this place was fake,” highlighting the controlled and manipulated nature of their environment.2. How does Thomas’s reaction to the gray sky differ from the other Gladers, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
While many Gladers panic at the sight of the gray sky, Thomas remains relatively calm and analytical. Instead of fearing the sun’s disappearance, he rationally concludes that the sky must be artificial, as a real sun could not vanish. This demonstrates his critical thinking skills and ability to remain composed under stress. His reaction contrasts with Chuck’s fear and the general chaos among the Gladers, showing Thomas’s leadership potential and unique perspective. The chapter notes that Thomas “didn’t feel nearly as panicked or frightened as his instincts told him he ought to be,” underscoring his logical approach to unexplained phenomena.3. What connection does Thomas make between Teresa’s message (“I just triggered the Ending”) and the disappearance of the sun?
Answer:
Thomas recalls Teresa’s cryptic message from the previous night—”I just triggered the Ending”—and suspects it is linked to the sun’s disappearance. He feels a “sour rot” in his belly, sensing that this event marks a significant and ominous change in their environment. Though he doesn’t fully understand the connection, he infers that Teresa’s actions have set something irreversible in motion. The timing of her message and the sudden change in the sky suggests that the “Ending” refers to the collapse or alteration of the Glade’s artificial systems, possibly signaling the final phase of their trial.4. Why does Minho insist on continuing their Maze exploration despite the alarming change in the sky?
Answer:
Minho argues that the disappearance of the sun makes their mission more urgent, not less. He believes that if the sun is truly gone, the ecosystem will soon collapse, killing plants and animals. This raises the stakes for finding an escape. His pragmatism contrasts with the Gladers’ panic, as he focuses on actionable steps rather than fear. The chapter quotes Minho saying, “If the sun’s really gone, won’t be long before plants and animals drop dead, too. I think the desperation level just went up a notch.” This reflects his leadership and determination to adapt to changing circumstances.5. How does the encounter with the Griever at the end of the chapter heighten the tension and foreshadow future events?
Answer:
The sudden appearance of a motionless Griever—and its subsequent disappearance—creates suspense and foreshadows increased danger in the Maze. Unlike the dead Griever they saw earlier, this one vanishes, suggesting it is active and potentially stalking them. Minho’s alarmed reaction (“Crap—it’s gone! Come on!”) implies that the Grievers’ behavior is becoming unpredictable, escalating the threat. This encounter hints that the “Ending” Teresa triggered may involve heightened Griever activity, adding urgency to the Gladers’ efforts to solve the Maze before their environment collapses entirely.
Quotes
1. “The sky, every last inch of it, was slate gray. Colorless and dead.”
This quote captures the shocking moment when Thomas realizes the sun has disappeared, marking a pivotal shift in the Gladers’ understanding of their artificial environment. The stark description underscores the unnaturalness of their situation.
2. “Their sky had to have been—and still was—fabricated. Artificial. In other words, the sun that had shone down on these people for two years, providing heat and life to everything, was not the sun at all.”
This represents Thomas’s crucial realization that the Glade is a constructed environment, challenging everything the boys believed about their world. It’s a key turning point in the narrative’s exploration of deception and control.
3. “If the sun’s really gone, won’t be long before plants and animals drop dead, too. I think the desperation level just went up a notch.”
Minho’s pragmatic response highlights the immediate stakes of the disappearing sun, showing how the characters must balance survival instincts with solving the mystery of their environment.
4. “What had she meant by the Ending? Thomas couldn’t knock the feeling that he should tell somebody. Everybody.”
This quote reveals Thomas’s internal conflict about Teresa’s mysterious message, tying the sky’s disappearance to larger plot developments while showing his growing sense of responsibility toward the other Gladers.
5. “They saw the Griever before they’d even made it to the door leading from Section Eight to Section One.”
This brief but impactful sentence marks a key moment of danger and suspense, showing how the environmental changes are affecting the Maze’s threats and raising the stakes for the runners’ mission.