The Maze Runner
Chapter 6
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 6 of *The Maze Runner*, Thomas is abruptly awakened by Newt, the Glade’s second-in-command, who leads him to the towering western wall under the cover of early morning darkness. Newt reveals a hidden window obscured by ivy, hinting at the dangers lurking beyond. Thomas, though initially wary, is driven by curiosity and follows Newt, stepping over sleeping boys and navigating the dimly lit courtyard. The tension builds as they reach the wall, where Thomas notices mysterious red lights flashing ominously, foreshadowing the horrors hidden within the Maze.
Newt directs Thomas to peer through the ivy-covered window, where he witnesses a grotesque creature known as a Griever—a monstrous hybrid of animal and machine with deadly appendages. The Griever’s aggressive behavior and terrifying appearance leave Thomas shaken, as it seems intent on breaching the Glade’s walls. Newt explains that these creatures roam the Maze at night, emphasizing the lethal danger they pose. The encounter shatters Thomas’s initial bravado, forcing him to confront the grim reality of their existence and the stakes of their mission.
The chapter delves into the Glade’s central purpose: solving the Maze to escape. Newt reveals that the boys are trapped in a cycle of survival, dedicating their lives to unraveling the Maze’s secrets despite its apparent lack of solutions. Thomas grapples with the weight of this revelation, his desire to become a Runner clashing with his newfound fear of the Grievers. The chapter underscores the Gladers’ desperation and the oppressive mystery of their confinement, leaving Thomas questioning how anyone could navigate such an impossible labyrinth.
In the aftermath of the Griever encounter, Thomas is consumed by dread and confusion, unable to shake the image of the creature. He observes the Runners departing into the Maze, their bravery contrasting sharply with his own fear. As he isolates himself from the others, including Chuck, Thomas struggles to reconcile the Glade’s harsh reality with his fragmented memories. The chapter ends with Thomas overwhelmed by the enormity of their task, hinting at his internal conflict and the challenges ahead.
FAQs
1. What does Newt show Thomas through the ivy-covered window, and why is this significant?
Answer:
Newt reveals the Maze and a terrifying creature called a Griever through the window. The Griever is a monstrous hybrid of animal and machine, equipped with deadly appendages like saw blades and shears, and it exhibits aggressive behavior toward the Gladers. This revelation is crucial because it explains the danger lurking outside the Glade’s walls and underscores why the Maze must be avoided at night. It also introduces the central conflict of the story—the Gladers’ struggle to survive and solve the Maze while evading these lethal creatures. The encounter shakes Thomas and challenges his initial desire to become a Runner.2. How does Thomas react to seeing the Griever, and what does this suggest about his character?
Answer:
Thomas is horrified by the Griever, experiencing a physical and emotional reaction—his breath catches, his terror feels “like an icy wind,” and he questions whether he could ever face the Maze. Despite this fear, he feels a paradoxical determination to become a Runner, indicating his innate bravery and curiosity. This duality highlights Thomas’s complex character: he is vulnerable to fear but driven by an unexplained sense of purpose. His reaction also foreshadows his eventual role in confronting the Maze’s challenges.3. What is the Gladers’ ultimate goal, as explained by Newt, and how does this shape the narrative’s stakes?
Answer:
Newt states their goal is to “solve the buggin’ Maze and find our way home.” This mission defines the Gladers’ daily lives and raises the stakes of the story—their survival depends on solving an seemingly unsolvable puzzle while avoiding the Grievers. The Maze represents both a physical and metaphorical prison, and the Gladers’ struggle to escape it drives the plot. The hopelessness Newt hints at (“tryin’ to solve somethin’ that’s not shown us it has a bloody solution”) adds tension, making Thomas’s arrival and his unexplained connection to the Maze pivotal.4. Analyze the symbolism of the Maze and the Grievers. What might they represent beyond their literal meaning?
Answer:
The Maze symbolizes the unknown and the challenges of adolescence—its shifting paths mirror the confusion and growth the Gladers experience. The Grievers, as biomechanical horrors, represent external threats and the fear of failure. Together, they create a trial that tests the Gladers’ resilience, teamwork, and ingenuity. The Maze’s unsolvable nature critiques systems of control, suggesting the Gladers are trapped in a cruel experiment. This symbolism elevates the story from a survival narrative to a commentary on fear, perseverance, and societal manipulation.5. Why does Thomas feel compelled to become a Runner despite witnessing the Griever’s horrors?
Answer:
Thomas’s inexplicable drive to be a Runner suggests a deeper connection to the Maze, possibly tied to his erased memories. His determination contrasts with his terror, implying an instinctual pull toward the Maze’s secrets. This compulsion reflects themes of destiny and identity—Thomas may have been “chosen” for this role, or his pre-wipe self knew something critical. The chapter plants this mystery to foreshadow his future actions and the revelation of his past, keeping readers engaged with his character’s unresolved motivations.
Quotes
1. “Everything we do—our whole life, Greenie—revolves around the Maze. Every lovin’ second of every lovin’ day we spend in honor of the Maze, tryin’ to solve somethin’ that’s not shown us it has a bloody solution, ya know?”
This quote captures the central obsession of the Gladers’ existence—their relentless but seemingly hopeless struggle to solve the Maze. Newt’s passionate delivery to Thomas emphasizes how the Maze dominates their lives and hints at the deeper mystery driving the narrative.
2. “A large, bulbous creature the size of a cow but with no distinct shape twisted and seethed along the ground in the corridor outside… Wicked instrument-tipped appendages protruded from its body like arms: a saw blade, a set of shears, long rods whose purpose could only be guessed.”
This visceral description of the Griever serves as the chapter’s most shocking revelation, crystallizing the physical danger lurking in the Maze. The biomechanical horror of the creature underscores why the Gladers fear the Maze and establishes a key antagonist in the story.
3. “Now you know what bloody lurks in the Maze, my friend. Now you know this isn’t joke time. You’ve been sent to the Glade, Greenie, and we’ll be expectin’ ya to survive and help us do what we’ve been sent here to do.”
Newt’s sobering speech to Thomas after revealing the Grievers marks a turning point where Thomas fully comprehends the gravity of their situation. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s thematic shift from confusion to grim purpose, setting up the central conflict.
4. “Find our way out, Greenie. Solve the buggin’ Maze and find our way home.”
This blunt statement from Newt serves as both the chapter’s climax and the clearest articulation of the Gladers’ ultimate goal. Its simplicity contrasts with the overwhelming complexity of the task, creating dramatic tension that drives the narrative forward.