The Maze Runner
Chapter 47
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 47 of *The Maze Runner*, Thomas undergoes the mysterious and disorienting experience known as the Changing. The process begins in complete sensory deprivation, plunging him into a void where he can see, hear, and feel nothing. Time loses all meaning as he transitions from fear to curiosity and eventually boredom, trapped in an endless darkness. This initial stage emphasizes his isolation and the surreal nature of the ordeal, setting the tone for the transformative events to come.
Gradually, the emptiness gives way to distant sensations. A faint wind becomes audible, and a swirling white mist appears far away, forming a towering tornado-like funnel. The wind intensifies, pulling at Thomas’s clothes and hair as the cyclone grows closer. The vivid imagery of the storm highlights the overwhelming and uncontrollable forces at play, symbolizing the upheaval Thomas is about to endure as the Changing takes hold of his mind.
The white whirlwind accelerates toward Thomas, blurring into an impenetrable wall of mist. Unable to distinguish whether he is moving or the storm is advancing, he is engulfed by the chaos. The moment the mist consumes him marks a pivotal shift, as his mind is invaded by a flood of memories. This sudden onslaught suggests a forced reckoning with his past, though the nature of these memories remains unclear, leaving readers to anticipate their significance for Thomas’s character and the story’s plot.
The chapter concludes with Thomas overwhelmed by pain, a stark contrast to the earlier numbness. The abrupt shift from sensory deprivation to intense suffering underscores the brutal and transformative nature of the Changing. This ending leaves Thomas’s fate uncertain, while hinting at the profound impact the experience will have on his understanding of himself and the world around him. The chapter masterfully builds tension and mystery, deepening the novel’s central enigmas.
FAQs
1. How does Thomas’s experience during the Changing compare to his initial memory of the Box?
Answer:
Thomas’s experience during the Changing begins similarly to his first memory of the Box—dark and cold. However, while the Box involved physical sensations like something touching his feet and body, the Changing removes all sensory input initially, leaving him in a void. The Box was a tangible, confined space, whereas the Changing is an abstract, disorienting experience where Thomas floats in emptiness, stripped of his senses. This contrast highlights the psychological intensity of the Changing compared to the physical confinement of the Box.2. Analyze the symbolic significance of the white whirlwind in Thomas’s Changing experience.
Answer:
The white whirlwind symbolizes the overwhelming and chaotic nature of the memories flooding back into Thomas’s mind. Its progression from a distant funnel to an all-consuming force mirrors the way suppressed memories can initially seem distant but eventually engulf one’s consciousness. The wind’s destructive force (“ripping at his clothes and hair”) suggests the pain and disruption of reclaiming lost memories. The color white, often associated with purity or blankness, may represent the erased memories now returning in a torrent, stripping away his mental barriers.3. How does the author convey the disorientation and timelessness of the Changing?
Answer:
The author emphasizes disorientation by depriving Thomas of his senses—he sees, hears, and feels nothing initially, creating a vacuum-like state. The phrase “no concept of time” underscores the timelessness, while the prolonged wait (“Time stretched on. And on.”) reinforces the subjective distortion of time. The whirlwind’s ambiguous movement (whether it approaches him or he moves toward it) further disorients the reader and Thomas, mirroring the confusion of the Changing. The abrupt shift from boredom to overwhelming sensory input heightens the jarring nature of the experience.4. Why might the author choose to end the chapter with “Everything else turned into pain”?
Answer:
This stark ending underscores the physical and emotional toll of the Changing, leaving the reader with a sense of unresolved suffering. It suggests that the return of Thomas’s memories is not liberating but agonizing, hinting at traumatic or suppressed experiences. The abruptness of the line mirrors the sudden onset of pain, creating suspense for the next chapter. It also contrasts with the earlier boredom, emphasizing the volatile nature of the Glade’s trials—calm can quickly turn to torment.5. How does Thomas’s emotional progression during the Changing reflect his character development?
Answer:
Thomas’s shift from fear to curiosity to boredom demonstrates his adaptability and resilience, key traits in his role as a protagonist. His initial fear mirrors his earlier struggles in the Glade, but his eventual boredom shows a growing tolerance for uncertainty. However, the final plunge into pain reveals that his curiosity has limits, foreshadowing that the truths he uncovers may be harsh. This progression aligns with his arc from confusion to active problem-solving, suggesting that enduring suffering is part of his growth.
Quotes
1. “He floated in emptiness, stared into a void of black. He saw nothing, heard nothing, smelled nothing. It was as if someone had stolen his five senses, leaving him in a vacuum.”
This quote vividly captures the disorienting and terrifying beginning of Thomas’s experience during the Changing. It emphasizes the complete sensory deprivation he endures, mirroring his initial arrival in the Glade but in an even more extreme form.
2. “Time stretched on. And on. Fear turned into curiosity, which turned into boredom.”
This passage highlights the psychological progression Thomas undergoes during the prolonged emptiness of the Changing. It shows how even intense fear can dull into monotony over time, a key insight into human adaptation to extreme circumstances.
3. “The tower of thick mist began to move toward him—or he was moving toward it, he couldn’t tell—increasing its speed at an alarming rate.”
This quote marks the turning point in Thomas’s experience, where the passive void transforms into an active, overwhelming force. The ambiguity of movement reflects the disorientation of the Changing process as it intensifies.
4. “And then it consumed him; he felt his mind taken by the mist, felt memories flood into his thoughts. Everything else turned into pain.”
This climactic moment represents the crucial purpose of the Changing - the forced return of memories. The stark contrast between the initial nothingness and this overwhelming flood of pain and memory encapsulates the traumatic nature of the process.