The Maze Runner
Chapter 44
by Dashner, JamesThomas and Minho continue their exploration of the Maze, retracing their steps through Section Eight with the hope of discovering something previously overlooked. The walls remain unchanged, eliminating the need for mapmaking, and they focus on maintaining a steady pace while running in silence. During their journey, Thomas is startled when Teresa communicates telepathically from the Glade, revealing progress in deciphering a cryptic code. Despite his initial reluctance, Thomas engages in the mental conversation, shocked by their ability to connect. Teresa speculates that their brains were altered before arriving in the Glade, hinting at a shared past and a significant, yet unclear, purpose.
Their telepathic exchange leaves Thomas both intrigued and unsettled. Teresa suggests they might have been lovers, a notion that catches him off guard. She theorizes that their ability to communicate mind-to-mind was engineered, possibly by the mysterious organization WICKED, referenced in the code they’re trying to crack. Thomas feels a growing connection to Teresa but is frustrated by the gaps in his memory. The conversation ends abruptly as Teresa complains of a headache, leaving Thomas with a mix of emotions—curiosity, hope, and a lingering sense of unease about their circumstances.
As the day progresses, Thomas and Minho exhaustively search the Maze but find no exits or clues. The only notable discovery is another cryptic sign referencing the “World In Catastrophe—Killzone Experiment Department,” which Minho dismisses. Their morale dwindles as they encounter Grievers behaving oddly—some ignoring them, others appearing briefly before vanishing. Minho interprets this as the Creators toying with them, signaling the futility of their efforts. He expresses grim certainty that the Grievers will continue targeting the Gladers, reinforcing Gally’s earlier warnings about their inevitable demise.
Defeated, Thomas and Minho abandon their search and return to the Glade. Thomas reflects on their failure, realizing the code Teresa is working on might be their only hope. The chapter ends on a somber note, with both characters resigned to their grim reality. The Maze, once a puzzle to solve, now feels like a cruel game designed to break their spirits. Thomas resolves to focus on deciphering the code, clinging to the slim possibility it could offer a way out.
FAQs
1. How does the telepathic communication between Thomas and Teresa function, and what does it reveal about their past relationship?
Answer:
The telepathic communication occurs when Teresa speaks directly into Thomas’s mind from the Glade while he is running in the Maze. Thomas initially resists but eventually engages, mentally “throwing” words to her, which she receives clearly. This ability suggests their brains may have been altered before arriving in the Glade, possibly to facilitate this connection. Teresa speculates they might have been lovers or involved in something significant together, as she feels an inexplicable familiarity with him despite their apparent recent meeting. This interaction hints at a deeper, pre-existing relationship and raises questions about their roles in the larger experiment (e.g., “Maybe we were lovers,” Teresa says, and Thomas feels a connection to her).2. What is the significance of the phrase “WICKED is good,” and how does it relate to the broader mystery of the Maze?
Answer:
“WICKED is good” is a phrase Teresa wrote on her arm, which she and Thomas discuss during their telepathic conversation. It appears to be a clue or code tied to the organization behind the Maze experiment. The phrase contrasts with the Gladers’ suffering, suggesting WICKED (likely an acronym) has a hidden purpose or justification for their actions. This ties into the recurring “World In Catastrophe—Killzone Experiment Department” signs found in the Maze, implying the Gladers are part of a larger, possibly dystopian experiment. The phrase deepens the mystery, as it conflicts with the Gladers’ dire circumstances and hints at a manipulated reality (e.g., Teresa says, “This code has to mean something,” but its true purpose remains unclear).3. How does Minho’s perspective on the Maze and the Grievers shift by the end of the chapter, and what does this suggest about the Gladers’ situation?
Answer:
Initially, Minho is determined to search for exits, but by the chapter’s end, he becomes resigned, believing the Creators are toying with them. He interprets the Grievers’ non-lethal appearances as a message—that the Maze is a “stupid game” with no escape, designed to demoralize them. This shift reflects the Gladers’ dwindling hope and the Creators’ psychological manipulation. Minho’s theory aligns with Gally’s earlier warnings that the Grievers will systematically kill them, reinforcing the idea that the Maze is a controlled experiment with a grim outcome (e.g., Minho says, “I think the Creators want us to know there’s no way out,” highlighting their despair).4. Analyze the role of the Grievers in this chapter. How do their behaviors differ from previous encounters, and what might this imply?
Answer:
In this chapter, the Grievers behave unusually: they appear briefly but do not attack, with one even charging past Thomas and Minho without stopping. This contrasts with their earlier aggressive behavior, suggesting a shift in purpose. Minho interprets this as the Creators “playing with them,” using the Grievers to instill fear and hopelessness rather than outright violence. This change could indicate the experiment is entering a new phase, where psychological torment replaces physical threats, or that the Creators are testing the Gladers’ resilience (e.g., Thomas notes the Grievers’ odd behavior, and Minho concludes they’re being manipulated).5. How does Thomas’s emotional state evolve throughout the chapter, and what key moments trigger these changes?
Answer:
Thomas begins the chapter focused and determined, but his emotions fluctuate significantly. His telepathic conversation with Teresa initially excites him (e.g., he feels a “pleasant chill” and enjoys the connection), but her sudden departure leaves him feeling empty and depressed. Later, the fruitless search for exits and Minho’s pessimism deepen his despair. The Griever encounters amplify his fear, and by the end, he resigns himself to defeat, prioritizing the code as their last hope. These shifts highlight his vulnerability and the toll of the Maze’s psychological and physical challenges (e.g., he feels “toxins” in his body after Teresa leaves and agrees with Minho’s defeated outlook).
Quotes
1. “Thomas was shocked. So shocked he almost quit running. It had worked!”
This moment captures the breakthrough when Thomas realizes he can communicate telepathically with Teresa, marking a pivotal shift in their relationship and the story’s mystery. It underscores the novel’s exploration of altered human capabilities.
2. “Maybe we were lovers, Teresa said.”
Teresa’s provocative suggestion hints at their pre-existing connection and the suppressed memories central to the Gladers’ predicament. This quote deepens the intrigue around their past and the experiments done on them.
3. “I think the Creators want us to know there’s no way out. The walls aren’t even moving anymore—it’s like this has all just been some stupid game and it’s time to end.”
Minho’s bleak assessment reflects the chapter’s turning point, where hope for escape diminishes. This quote encapsulates the Maze’s psychological torture and the Gladers’ growing despair.
4. “Thomas hated to admit defeat, but he nodded in agreement. The code seemed like their only hope now, and he resolved to focus on that.”
This conclusion shows Thomas shifting strategies after the failed Maze exploration. It highlights the theme of perseverance and sets up the code as the next narrative focal point.