The Maze Runner
Chapter 46
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 46 of *The Maze Runner*, Thomas isolates himself from the group, pretending to be unwell while secretly preparing for a dangerous plan. He avoids Teresa’s attempts to talk, feigning exhaustion, though his real motivation is to confront the Grievers. As evening arrives, he joins the others in the Homestead, where the Gladers have reinforced the damaged structure. Despite the tension, Teresa sleeps nearby, while Thomas remains awake, consumed by fear and anticipation of the impending attack. The chapter sets the stage for his reckless but calculated decision to act.
The Grievers’ arrival triggers chaos, with their mechanical sounds and violent breaches into the Homestead. The Gladers huddle together, paralyzed by fear, as the creatures attack upstairs and eventually smash through the front door. Thomas seizes the moment, sprinting outside despite Newt’s shouts, determined to intercept the Grievers. Teresa’s panicked mental screams go unanswered as he charges toward the creatures, aiming to provoke them. His bold move shocks the group, who assume he’s attempting suicide, but Thomas has a hidden purpose—to be stung by the Grievers.
Thomas leaps onto a Griever holding Dave, triggering a frenzied assault. The creatures swarm him, their needles and pincers inflicting pain, but he resists being captured, fighting back until he escapes. Collapsing in agony, he’s quickly surrounded by Newt, Chuck, and Teresa, who carry him back to the Homestead. As the Med-jacks assess his injuries, Newt berates him for his recklessness, unaware of Thomas’s intentions. Teresa pleads for an explanation, but Thomas, fading in and out of consciousness, can barely respond before the Grief Serum takes effect.
In the final moments, Thomas whispers that his actions were deliberate, hinting at a deeper strategy. The chapter ends with him losing consciousness, leaving the group bewildered but suggesting his sacrifice was purposeful. His cryptic statement implies that the stings may hold the key to unlocking hidden memories or solutions, setting up a pivotal turning point in the story. The tension between Thomas’s bravery and the group’s fear underscores the high stakes of their survival in the Glade.
FAQs
1. What was Thomas’s true motivation for isolating himself and refusing to talk to others during the day?
Answer:
Thomas claimed he wanted to be alone to rest and search his mind for hidden secrets that might help the Gladers. However, his true motivation was to mentally prepare himself for a dangerous plan he intended to execute that evening—allowing himself to be stung by the Grievers. He was terrified of his decision and didn’t want others to notice his fear or dissuade him. This reveals his determination to sacrifice himself for potential answers, despite his fear (e.g., “convincing himself it was the right thing to do… he was absolutely terrified”).
2. How does the chapter illustrate the psychological toll of the Griever attacks on the Gladers?
Answer:
The chapter shows the Gladers’ mounting dread through their silence, guilt, and reluctant relief when others are taken instead of them. For example, they huddle motionless during attacks, and Thomas notes their “quiet hope” the Grievers won’t come. The relief after only one boy is taken—paired with their guilt over that relief—highlights their fractured morale. The repeated assaults have conditioned them to expect horror, stripping away any sense of safety (e.g., “the heavy sense of anticipation like a weight on his chest”).
3. Why did Thomas intentionally provoke the Grievers, and what risks did his plan entail?
Answer:
Thomas attacked the Griever holding Dave to ensure he was stung rather than captured, believing the venom might trigger suppressed memories (implied by his later whisper, “I did it on purpose”). The risks were extreme: death, permanent injury, or failing to recover useful information. His actions also risked alienating his friends, as seen when Newt calls him “stupid.” However, Thomas prioritized potential answers over safety, showing his desperation to end their suffering (e.g., “he kicked at the pulsating blubber… only wanted to be stung”).
4. Analyze how Teresa’s telepathic connection with Thomas intensifies the chapter’s tension.
Answer:
Teresa’s telepathic screams (“What are you doing!”) amplify the urgency of Thomas’s reckless actions, as her panic mirrors the reader’s. Their link also creates dramatic irony: while the Gladers see only his apparent suicide attempt, Teresa (and the reader) knows he has a hidden purpose. Her inability to stop him underscores his isolation in bearing the plan’s weight. The mental connection makes her terror visceral (e.g., her scream “felt like a dagger through his skull”), heightening the stakes.
5. How does the chapter’s setting—particularly the damaged Homestead—reflect the Gladers’ deteriorating situation?
Answer:
The Homestead’s boarded-up holes, “drunk guy” repairs, and shattered doors mirror the Gladers’ fragile state. The chaos of the attacks is mirrored in the physical space (e.g., “jagged hole” where the door was). Rotating sleeping spots reflects their paranoia, while the “army of drunk guys” description suggests makeshift, unsustainable solutions. The setting becomes a symbol of their crumbling order, emphasizing that survival—not comfort—is now their sole focus.
Quotes
1. “But in truth, he was psyching himself up for what he had planned for that evening, convincing himself it was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. Plus, he was absolutely terrified and he didn’t want the others to notice.”
This quote reveals Thomas’s internal conflict and determination as he prepares for a dangerous, self-sacrificial act. It captures the chapter’s tension and foreshadows his pivotal decision to confront the Grievers.
2. “The reality of the dreadful decision he’d made earlier squeezed his heart like a crushing fist. But he knew that everything might depend on it.”
This moment underscores the weight of Thomas’s choice to intentionally get stung by the Grievers. It represents the chapter’s turning point where personal fear collides with perceived necessity for survival.
3. “Without hesitating, knowing the others would think he was trying to commit suicide, Thomas sprinted in their direction until he found himself in the middle of the pack of creatures.”
This action quote demonstrates Thomas’s bravery and strategic thinking. It’s the physical manifestation of his plan to gain Griever venom immunity, a crucial plot development in the chapter.
4. “Thomas flailed his arms and legs, knocking away the horrible metallic arms as he kicked at the pulsating blubber of the Grievers’ bodies—he only wanted to be stung, not taken like Dave.”
This intense confrontation scene shows Thomas’s precise objective amid chaos. The distinction between being stung versus taken becomes critical for the story’s larger mysteries about the Maze.
5. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, hoping they could hear him. “I did it on purpose….”
Thomas’s final words before losing consciousness serve as both a revelation and cliffhanger. This quote leaves readers questioning his motives while confirming his actions were deliberate, setting up future revelations.