The Scorch Trials
Chapter 10
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 10 of *The Scorch Trials*, Thomas and the Gladers awaken to find a mysterious man in a white suit sitting at a desk, reading calmly. The man’s appearance is unsettling—pale, thin, and dressed entirely in white—yet he ignores the boys as they eat. Thomas attempts to approach him but collides with an invisible wall, baffled by its undetectable presence. Despite pounding on the barrier, the man remains indifferent, only responding with annoyance when Thomas disrupts his reading, revealing they must wait 47 minutes for “Phase Two of the Trials.”
The Gladers, including Minho and Newt, react with a mix of frustration and resignation to the bizarre situation. Minho nicknames the man “Rat Man” and mocks his pretentious demeanor, while Newt urges patience. Thomas, though initially shocked, quickly adapts to the strangeness, a numbness settling over him as he focuses on replenishing his energy with food and water. The boys’ banter reveals their weariness, yet they remain wary of what Rat Man’s impending announcement might entail for their fate.
Aris, the new boy, lingers on the periphery, his grief over a murdered girl mirroring Thomas’s concern for Teresa. The Gladers’ dynamic is tense but familiar, their camaraderie underscored by dark humor. As they wait, Thomas reflects on how quickly the surreal has become normal, a testament to their harrowing experiences. Rat Man’s eventual preparation of a messy folder hints at looming revelations, heightening the suspense.
The chapter culminates in anticipation as Rat Man finally sets aside his book and retrieves documents, signaling the start of Phase Two. The boys brace themselves, knowing the Trials will escalate, yet uncertain of what horrors await. Thomas’s internal resolve strengthens, but the ominous tone leaves readers questioning the true nature of the challenges ahead and the motives of those controlling their fate.
FAQs
1. How does the man in the white suit (referred to as “Rat Man”) behave when Thomas first encounters him, and what does this reveal about his role in the Trials?
Answer:
The man in the white suit is described as calm yet dismissive, sitting at a desk reading a book as if it were routine. His appearance—pale skin, thin hair, and an all-white outfit—makes him stand out unnervingly. When Thomas slams into the invisible wall, the man reacts with annoyance, stating they must wait for “Phase Two of the Trials” and emphasizing the Gladers should use the time to eat. His demeanor suggests he is an authoritative figure carrying out a pre-planned protocol, indifferent to the Gladers’ confusion. This reinforces the theme of the Trials being a controlled, dehumanizing experiment where the subjects have no agency.2. What is the significance of the invisible wall in this chapter, both literally and symbolically?
Answer:
Literally, the invisible wall is a physical barrier preventing the Gladers from approaching the man in the white suit, despite its imperceptibility. It symbolizes the larger forces manipulating the Gladers—unseen yet immovable. The wall also represents the divide between the experimenters (like Rat Man) and the subjects, highlighting the power imbalance. Thomas’s frustration when pounding on it mirrors the Gladers’ broader struggle: they are trapped in a system they cannot understand or challenge, forced to comply with arbitrary rules (e.g., waiting for “Phase Two”). The wall’s invisibility underscores the elusive, deceptive nature of WICKED’s control.3. Analyze how Thomas’s reaction to the bizarre events in this chapter reflects his psychological state after the Maze.
Answer:
Thomas experiences initial shock (“What in the world?”) but quickly shifts to numbness, accepting the strangeness as normal. This mirrors his adaptation to trauma—after the Maze, his threshold for “abnormal” has increased. His hunger momentarily overrides his curiosity, showing how survival instincts dominate. Later, he leans against the invisible wall, resigned yet analytical, testing its boundaries. His internal monologue (“Anything could become normal”) reveals desensitization, a coping mechanism for relentless unpredictability. Unlike Minho’s sarcasm or Newt’s cautious hope, Thomas’s detachment suggests emotional exhaustion, hinting at the toll of constant psychological warfare.4. How does Minho’s dialogue and attitude contrast with Newt’s, and what does this reveal about their leadership styles?
Answer:
Minho uses sarcasm (“Real piece of work, this guy”) and nicknames (“Rat Man”) to mock their situation, displaying defiance and humor as coping tools. His blunt warning to Thomas about overeating shows pragmatic leadership. Newt, however, urges patience (“slim it and listen”) and clings to hope (“Maybe it’s all gonna be over”). Minho’s skepticism contrasts with Newt’s cautious optimism, reflecting their roles: Minho challenges authority, while Newt seeks stability. Their dynamic balances rebellion and restraint, which may be vital for group survival. Minho’s irreverence also serves to lighten tension, whereas Newt’s seriousness keeps the group focused.5. What might Aris’s behavior suggest about his role in the narrative, based on his interactions with Thomas?
Answer:
Aris is isolated, staring at the floor or giving Thomas “a strange look” as if wanting to communicate telepathically. His grief over the murdered girl parallels Thomas’s bond with Teresa, suggesting Aris is a foil—another subject with deeper ties to WICKED’s experiments. His silence and hesitation imply trauma or secrets, possibly positioning him as a future ally or source of revelations. Thomas’s pity for him (“Aris had it worse”) hints at shared suffering, foreshadowing collaboration. Aris’s presence also expands the story’s scope, confirming that the Gladers aren’t the only test subjects, which raises stakes about WICKED’s reach.
Quotes
1. “It was as if he’d been reading that way and in that very spot every day for his whole life. Thin black hair combed across a pale, bald head; a long nose, twisted slightly to the right; and shifty brown eyes darting back and forth as he read—the man somehow looked relaxed and nervous at the same time.”
This vivid description introduces the mysterious “Rat Man,” establishing his unsettling presence and the eerie atmosphere of the scene. The juxtaposition of relaxed and nervous demeanor hints at the controlled yet unstable nature of WICKED’s operatives.
2. “Thomas was truly speechless. He turned away from the man and the desk and leaned against the invisible wall, its hard surface pressing against his back. What had just happened? Surely he was still asleep, dreaming.”
This moment captures Thomas’s disorientation and the surreal nature of their predicament. The invisible wall symbolizes the unseen barriers and manipulations WICKED imposes on the Gladers, reinforcing themes of control and illusion.
3. “After the initial shock, nothing was strange anymore. Anything could become normal.”
This reflection by Thomas underscores the psychological toll of their experiences. It highlights how trauma and constant unpredictability can numb individuals to absurdity, a recurring theme in the series.
4. “I can tell you this much—if he had anything good to say, he wouldn’t need a freaking magic wall to protect him from us, now, would he?”
Minho’s sarcastic remark cuts through the tension while revealing the Gladers’ growing distrust of authority figures. It foreshadows the ominous revelations of “Phase Two” and the group’s resilience against manipulation.
5. “Ah, here it is,” Rat Man said in his nasally voice; then he placed the folder on the desk, opened it…”
This cliffhanger ending leaves readers anticipating the next phase of the Trials. The mundane action contrasts with its implied significance, emphasizing WICKED’s bureaucratic cruelty and the Gladers’ powerlessness.