Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of The Maze Runner
    DystopianScience FictionYoung Adult

    The Maze Runner

    by Dashner, James
    “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade surrounded by an ever-shifting maze. With no memory of his past, he joins a group of similarly amnesiac boys known as the Gladers, who must navigate the deadly labyrinth to survive. The maze is patrolled by biomechanical creatures called Grievers, adding to the danger. As Thomas uncovers fragments of his identity, he learns they are part of a sinister experiment. Themes of survival, identity, and societal control drive the plot, culminating in a gripping struggle for freedom. The novel’s fast-paced action and intricate world-building make it a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
    PreviousNext
    The Maze Runner

    Chapter 50

    by Dashner, James

    In Chap­ter 50 of *The Maze Run­ner*, Thomas reveals a shock­ing truth to the Gladers, con­fess­ing that he and Tere­sa were unwill­ing par­tic­i­pants in the cre­ation of the Maze. Sweat­ing and ter­ri­fied, he explains that the Cre­ators forced them to help design the Tri­als, which is why those who under­went the Chang­ing rec­og­nize him. Despite expect­ing anger or dis­be­lief, the Gladers remain silent, stunned by his admis­sion. Thomas empha­sizes that he and Tere­sa are now in the same dire sit­u­a­tion as the oth­ers, urg­ing them to trust him as he shares a poten­tial escape plan.

    Thomas elab­o­rates on their unique abil­i­ties, dis­clos­ing that he and Tere­sa are telepathic—a trait exploit­ed by the Cre­ators. He insists they were coerced into aid­ing the Maze’s design, pos­si­bly as part of a larg­er test. Though the rev­e­la­tion sounds absurd, the Gladers’ reac­tions range from dis­be­lief to curios­i­ty, with Min­ho even smil­ing. Thomas defends their inno­cence, stress­ing that they were sent into the Maze like every­one else and can die just as eas­i­ly. Newt redi­rects the blame to the Cre­ators, acknowl­edg­ing that Thomas and Tere­sa are vic­tims too.

    With the Gladers’ ten­ta­tive accep­tance, Thomas shifts focus to the escape plan. He reveals that a hid­den com­put­er sta­tion, locat­ed in an unex­plored area, holds the key to open­ing a door out of the Maze and deac­ti­vat­ing the Griev­ers. The catch? The loca­tion is per­ilous­ly sit­u­at­ed over the Cliff, requir­ing them to nav­i­gate the Griev­er Hole. Thomas warns that the mis­sion is near­ly sui­ci­dal, as the Griev­ers will attack en masse dur­ing the attempt. Despite the risks, he insists this is their only chance for free­dom.

    The chap­ter ends with the Gladers press­ing Thomas for details, their fear over­shad­owed by deter­mi­na­tion. Newt and Min­ho demand specifics, and Thomas con­firms the dead­ly path ahead: they must descend into the Griev­er Hole to reach the com­put­er sta­tion. The Gladers, though wary, seem ready to fol­low his lead, set­ting the stage for a high-stakes escape. The chap­ter under­scores themes of trust, sac­ri­fice, and the blurred lines between vic­tim and accom­plice in the Cre­ators’ cru­el exper­i­ment.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. What shocking revelation does Thomas make about himself and Teresa in this chapter, and how do the Gladers initially react?

      Answer:
      Thomas reveals that he and Teresa were involved in designing the Maze against their will and possess telepathic abilities, which made them valuable to the Creators. He explains that they were used as part of the Maze Trials from the beginning, though they were unwilling participants. The Gladers initially react with stunned silence, disbelief, and confusion. Newt questions how teenagers could have created the Maze, while Minho seems oddly amused. Despite the gravity of the confession, the Gladers do not respond with anger, though some shake their heads in wonder or skepticism. Thomas emphasizes that he and Teresa are now in the same perilous situation as the others.

      2. Why does Thomas confess his and Teresa’s role in creating the Maze, and what does he hope to achieve by doing so?

      Answer:
      Thomas confesses to establish trust with the Gladers and ensure they believe him when he reveals the escape plan. He acknowledges that if the Gladers had their full memories, they might want to harm him and Teresa, but he insists they were forced to assist the Creators. By being transparent, Thomas aims to unite the group and convince them that he is now on their side. His ultimate goal is to lead them out of the Maze using the code he and Teresa discovered, which requires their cooperation despite his past involvement.

      3. What is the escape plan Thomas proposes, and why does he describe it as “almost suicide”?

      Answer:
      Thomas reveals that the escape involves entering a hidden computer station located beyond the Cliff, through the Griever Hole. The code they’ve deciphered will open an exit door and deactivate the Grievers—but only if they survive long enough to reach it. He warns that the Grievers will attack en masse during the attempt, calling it the “final test” by the Creators. The plan is extremely dangerous because it requires traversing a high-risk area where the Grievers are concentrated, making survival unlikely for everyone.

      4. How does Newt’s perspective on Thomas and the Creators shift by the end of the chapter?

      Answer:
      Initially, Newt is baffled and skeptical of Thomas’s claims, questioning how teenagers could have designed the Maze. However, after Thomas explains their forced involvement and shared plight, Newt redirects his anger toward the Creators instead of Thomas and Teresa. He acknowledges that the real enemies are the Creators, who orchestrated their suffering, and he vows retaliation against them. This shift shows Newt’s ability to separate Thomas’s past actions from his current loyalty to the group.

      5. Analyze the significance of Minho’s reaction to Thomas’s confession. What might his smile suggest about his character or mindset?

      Answer:
      Minho’s smile amidst the shock of the others suggests pragmatism and focus on survival over dwelling on the past. While the Gladers are stunned by Thomas’s revelation, Minho seems unconcerned with blame or history, instead prioritizing the immediate need to escape. His impatient remark—”who gives a klunk about all that—just get on with the escape already”—reflects his leadership style: action-oriented and forward-thinking. His reaction may also imply trust in Thomas or recognition that their circumstances require unity rather than division.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Teresa and I are … different. We were part of the Maze Trials from the very beginning—but against our will, I swear it.”

      This quote marks Thomas’s pivotal confession about his and Teresa’s role in creating the Maze, revealing their involuntary involvement with the Creators. It introduces the central conflict of trust and sets up the chapter’s major revelation.

      2. “Teresa and I helped design the Maze. We helped create the whole thing.”

      This blunt admission is the chapter’s most shocking revelation, exposing Thomas’s direct involvement in the Gladers’ suffering. It represents the climax of the chapter’s tension and fundamentally changes the group’s understanding of their situation.

      3. “We’re telepathic! We can talk to each other in our freaking heads!”

      This surprising disclosure about Thomas and Teresa’s unique ability explains their special connection and value to the Creators. The raw emotion in Thomas’s delivery (“freaking heads”) makes this particularly memorable.

      4. “The Creators—those shanks did this to us, not Tommy and Teresa. The Creators. And they’ll be sorry.”

      Newt’s response shifts blame appropriately to the true antagonists, showing the Gladers’ capacity for forgiveness when they understand the larger context. This quote represents a turning point in group solidarity.

      5. “Over the Cliff. We have to go through the Griever Hole.”

      Thomas’s dramatic reveal of the escape plan’s dangerous location serves as the chapter’s cliffhanger conclusion. This quote sets up the next phase of their journey while emphasizing the extreme risks they must face for freedom.

    Quotes

    1. “Teresa and I are … different. We were part of the Maze Trials from the very beginning—but against our will, I swear it.”

    This quote marks Thomas’s pivotal confession about his and Teresa’s role in creating the Maze, revealing their involuntary involvement with the Creators. It introduces the central conflict of trust and sets up the chapter’s major revelation.

    2. “Teresa and I helped design the Maze. We helped create the whole thing.”

    This blunt admission is the chapter’s most shocking revelation, exposing Thomas’s direct involvement in the Gladers’ suffering. It represents the climax of the chapter’s tension and fundamentally changes the group’s understanding of their situation.

    3. “We’re telepathic! We can talk to each other in our freaking heads!”

    This surprising disclosure about Thomas and Teresa’s unique ability explains their special connection and value to the Creators. The raw emotion in Thomas’s delivery (“freaking heads”) makes this particularly memorable.

    4. “The Creators—those shanks did this to us, not Tommy and Teresa. The Creators. And they’ll be sorry.”

    Newt’s response shifts blame appropriately to the true antagonists, showing the Gladers’ capacity for forgiveness when they understand the larger context. This quote represents a turning point in group solidarity.

    5. “Over the Cliff. We have to go through the Griever Hole.”

    Thomas’s dramatic reveal of the escape plan’s dangerous location serves as the chapter’s cliffhanger conclusion. This quote sets up the next phase of their journey while emphasizing the extreme risks they must face for freedom.

    FAQs

    1. What shocking revelation does Thomas make about himself and Teresa in this chapter, and how do the Gladers initially react?

    Answer:
    Thomas reveals that he and Teresa were involved in designing the Maze against their will and possess telepathic abilities, which made them valuable to the Creators. He explains that they were used as part of the Maze Trials from the beginning, though they were unwilling participants. The Gladers initially react with stunned silence, disbelief, and confusion. Newt questions how teenagers could have created the Maze, while Minho seems oddly amused. Despite the gravity of the confession, the Gladers do not respond with anger, though some shake their heads in wonder or skepticism. Thomas emphasizes that he and Teresa are now in the same perilous situation as the others.

    2. Why does Thomas confess his and Teresa’s role in creating the Maze, and what does he hope to achieve by doing so?

    Answer:
    Thomas confesses to establish trust with the Gladers and ensure they believe him when he reveals the escape plan. He acknowledges that if the Gladers had their full memories, they might want to harm him and Teresa, but he insists they were forced to assist the Creators. By being transparent, Thomas aims to unite the group and convince them that he is now on their side. His ultimate goal is to lead them out of the Maze using the code he and Teresa discovered, which requires their cooperation despite his past involvement.

    3. What is the escape plan Thomas proposes, and why does he describe it as “almost suicide”?

    Answer:
    Thomas reveals that the escape involves entering a hidden computer station located beyond the Cliff, through the Griever Hole. The code they’ve deciphered will open an exit door and deactivate the Grievers—but only if they survive long enough to reach it. He warns that the Grievers will attack en masse during the attempt, calling it the “final test” by the Creators. The plan is extremely dangerous because it requires traversing a high-risk area where the Grievers are concentrated, making survival unlikely for everyone.

    4. How does Newt’s perspective on Thomas and the Creators shift by the end of the chapter?

    Answer:
    Initially, Newt is baffled and skeptical of Thomas’s claims, questioning how teenagers could have designed the Maze. However, after Thomas explains their forced involvement and shared plight, Newt redirects his anger toward the Creators instead of Thomas and Teresa. He acknowledges that the real enemies are the Creators, who orchestrated their suffering, and he vows retaliation against them. This shift shows Newt’s ability to separate Thomas’s past actions from his current loyalty to the group.

    5. Analyze the significance of Minho’s reaction to Thomas’s confession. What might his smile suggest about his character or mindset?

    Answer:
    Minho’s smile amidst the shock of the others suggests pragmatism and focus on survival over dwelling on the past. While the Gladers are stunned by Thomas’s revelation, Minho seems unconcerned with blame or history, instead prioritizing the immediate need to escape. His impatient remark—”who gives a klunk about all that—just get on with the escape already”—reflects his leadership style: action-oriented and forward-thinking. His reaction may also imply trust in Thomas or recognition that their circumstances require unity rather than division.

    Note