The Maze Runner
Chapter 37
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 37 of *The Maze Runner*, the Gladers face a dire crisis as the sun fails to rise, leaving them without protection from the Grievers. Teresa, blamed for triggering the change, is ordered to be locked in the Slammer by Alby, despite Thomas’s protests. Thomas feels a deep, inexplicable connection to Teresa, even though they’ve just met, and is disturbed by her calm acceptance of imprisonment. Newt ensures her safety but reinforces the Gladers’ distrust, leaving Thomas torn between loyalty to the group and his belief in Teresa’s innocence.
As chaos ensues, the Gladers scramble to prepare for the impending threat. Newt and Alby organize the Keepers to assign tasks, focusing on fortifying the Homestead. Thomas helps the Builders construct barricades, though he doubts their effectiveness against the Grievers. Supplies are gathered, weapons distributed, and plans made to hunker down in the Homestead. The atmosphere is tense, with fear and uncertainty looming over everyone. Thomas observes the frantic activity, feeling like an outsider despite his efforts to contribute.
Thomas seeks out Newt to advocate for Teresa’s release, arguing that she and he were sent to help end the Gladers’ ordeal. He shares his theory that their situation is an experiment designed to have a conclusion, and Teresa’s arrival marks the beginning of the endgame. Newt remains skeptical but agrees to revisit the issue after surviving the night. Thomas pushes for bolder actions, like exploring the Maze during the day or blocking the Griever Hole, but Newt prioritizes immediate survival over long-term solutions.
The chapter ends with Thomas rushing to speak to Teresa before the Gladers retreat to the Homestead. Despite the overwhelming odds, he feels a renewed sense of purpose, convinced that Teresa holds the key to their escape. The Gladers’ fear and distrust contrast with Thomas’s determination to challenge the status quo, setting the stage for a pivotal confrontation. The chapter underscores themes of trust, leadership, and the struggle to adapt in the face of an unknown and terrifying future.
FAQs
1. How does the Glade change after the walls fail to close, and how do the Gladers respond to this crisis?
Answer:
The failure of the walls to close marks a catastrophic shift for the Gladers—the artificial sun disappears, leaving them without light, supplies, or protection from Grievers. Panic ensues as they realize their survival strategies are obsolete. Newt and Alby mobilize the Keepers to organize defenses: Builders construct barricades (though flimsy), flashlights are distributed, food is secured in the Homestead, and weapons are prepared. The Homestead becomes a designated fortress. These actions reveal their desperation—they’re buying time and trying to maintain order, but Thomas notes the futility of some efforts (e.g., the barricades). The chapter underscores their transition from routine to survival mode, with fear overriding logic.2. Analyze the conflict between Thomas and Alby/Newt regarding Teresa’s imprisonment. What does this reveal about their leadership styles and Thomas’s role?
Answer:
Alby reacts with authoritarian anger, blaming Teresa for the walls not closing and ordering her imprisonment without evidence. Newt, though calmer, sides with Alby, prioritizing stability over inquiry. Thomas, however, challenges both, arguing Teresa is being scapegoated and could hold answers to their escape. This clash highlights Alby’s rigid, fear-driven leadership versus Thomas’s intuitive, empathetic approach. Newt acts as a pragmatic mediator but dismisses Thomas’s ideas initially. Thomas’s persistence—and his private connection to Teresa—positions him as a disruptor of the Glade’s hierarchy, foreshadowing his role as a catalyst for change. His willingness to confront authority underscores his growing agency.3. What does Thomas’s mental communication with Teresa suggest about their past and the larger experiment in the Maze?
Answer:
Their telepathic link (“Come see me,” Teresa says in his mind) implies a pre-Glade relationship, as Thomas feels an inexplicable closeness to her. This reinforces the novel’s hints that they were deliberately sent together as part of the “experiment” Thomas mentions to Newt. Their connection—and Teresa’s cryptic message—hints at a designed dynamic: she may hold suppressed knowledge critical to escaping the Maze. The telepathy also suggests advanced manipulation by their captors, blurring the line between natural bonds and engineered ones. This moment deepens the mystery of their identities and the purpose of the Glade.4. How does Thomas’s conversation with Newt about the “endgame” of the Maze reflect a shift in the Gladers’ mindset?
Answer:
Thomas articulates a radical idea: the Glade isn’t a permanent habitat but a solvable puzzle with a time-sensitive conclusion. He argues the walls failing forces them to “dig deeper” and stay in the Maze to study it—a departure from their daily survival routine. Newt’s reluctant engagement (“Dig deeper. Stay out there while the walls move”) shows he’s considering proactive rebellion, though he’s skeptical. This dialogue marks a turning point: Thomas challenges the passive acceptance of their environment, advocating for risk-taking. The “endgame” theory reframes their suffering as purposeful, pivoting the group from defense to offense.5. Evaluate the symbolic significance of the Homestead becoming a fortress. How does this relate to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The Homestead’s transformation into a fortified shelter symbolizes the Gladers’ retreat into fear and isolation. Barricading themselves mirrors their psychological barricades—resisting change (e.g., rejecting Teresa’s role) instead of adapting. Ironically, their “safety” measures (e.g., hoarding weapons) may trap them further, paralleling how rigid thinking prevents progress. The darkness enveloping the Glade underscores this: their literal and metaphorical light (hope/innovation) is fading. Thomas’s dissent—sneaking away to talk to Teresa—hints that true safety lies not in walls but in confronting the unknown, a theme central to the Maze’s design.
Quotes
1. “Thomas was speechless. Everything would be different now. No sun, no supplies, no protection from the Grievers. Teresa had been right from the beginning—everything had changed.”
This opening quote captures the pivotal shift in the Gladers’ circumstances, marking the moment when their fragile stability collapses. It establishes the chapter’s tone of crisis and foreshadows the coming conflict.
2. “I think we’re here as part of some weird experiment, or test, or something like that. But it’s supposed to end somehow. We can’t live here forever—whoever sent us here wants it to end. One way or another.”
Thomas articulates his growing realization about the true nature of the Maze, representing a key thematic revelation. This quote shows his transition from passive participant to active problem-solver in their predicament.
3. “Because now we have to solve it. We’ll be forced to. We can’t live that way anymore, day to day, thinking that what matters most is getting back to the Glade before the Doors close, snug and safe.”
This quote demonstrates Thomas’s strategic thinking and the story’s turning point from survival mode to active escape planning. It marks a philosophical shift in how the Gladers must approach their situation.
4. “Dig deeper. Stay out there while the walls move.” / “Exactly. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. And maybe we could barricade or blow up the entrance to the Griever Hole. Buy time to analyze the Maze.”
This exchange between Newt and Thomas represents their first concrete plan to fight back against their confinement. It shows the beginning of their proactive strategy against the Maze’s mechanisms.
5. “Done it before, haven’t you, Hercules?”
Newt’s sardonic remark encapsulates both the tension and reluctant admiration between him and Thomas. It reflects the group’s growing recognition of Thomas’s potential while maintaining their characteristic Glader humor in the face of danger.