The Scorch Trials
Chapter 18
by Dashner, JamesThe chapter opens with Thomas and the Gladers halting as two mysterious figures approach them in the scorching heat. Despite outnumbering the strangers, Thomas feels an inexplicable fear. Minho orders the group to prepare for a potential fight as the figures, later identified as Cranks, come into focus. Their eerie appearance—wrapped in tattered cloth with only their scabbed hands visible—unnerves the Gladers. The Cranks pant heavily, adding to the tension as they silently circle the group, scrutinizing them with hidden eyes.
Minho demands answers, but the Cranks respond cryptically, revealing they are there to determine if the Gladers have the Flare. Their disjointed dialogue hints at varying levels of sanity among Cranks, warning the group to discern friend from foe quickly. The Cranks ignore the Gladers’ questions about their origins and mission, instead emphasizing the urgency of understanding their environment. Their unsettling behavior and vague threats leave the Gladers uneasy, especially when they mention another group destined to kill them.
The encounter ends abruptly as the Cranks run back toward the distant town, leaving the Gladers in stunned silence. Thomas and Aris speculate whether the “other group” refers to Group B, while Minho focuses on the immediate danger posed by the Cranks’ warnings. Thomas worries the threat might be directed at him personally, given his ominous tattoo, but Minho insists the group must stick together. Frypan’s joking remark about survival adds a darkly humorous yet tense undertone to the discussion.
With no clear alternative, the Gladers decide to press on toward the town, recognizing it as their only chance for shelter and supplies despite the risks. The chapter underscores their precarious situation—trapped between the lethal environment and the unknown dangers posed by the Cranks and the Flare. The encounter leaves them with more questions than answers, heightening the sense of dread and uncertainty as they continue their journey through the Scorch.
FAQs
1. How do the two Cranks differ from the ones the Gladers encountered previously, and why does this difference unsettle Thomas?
Answer:
The Cranks in this chapter differ significantly from the frenzied, animal-like ones the Gladers saw through the barred window earlier. These two strangers demonstrate unsettling intelligence and coherence in their speech, asking logical questions about the Gladers’ origins and giving warnings about the Flare. Thomas is disturbed because their composed behavior contradicts his expectations—they’re calculating rather than mindlessly aggressive, making them more unpredictable and threatening. Their physical appearance (mummy-like wrappings, deliberate movements) and ability to run long distances in extreme heat also make them eerily formidable compared to the previous Cranks.2. What crucial information do the Cranks reveal about the nature of the Flare and the Gladers’ situation?
Answer:
The Cranks reveal that not all infected individuals are equally affected by the Flare, stating there are “different ones at different levels.” This implies a progression of the disease, with some retaining more sanity (“not past the Gone”). They also warn about another group (likely Group B) tasked with killing the Gladers, hinting at WICKED’s manipulation. Most ominously, they suggest the Flare is inevitable (“you’ll have it soon”), reinforcing the tattoo’s threat on Thomas’s neck. Their remarks underscore the Gladers’ precarious position: they must navigate both the Scorch’s physical dangers and the social hierarchy of Cranks.3. Analyze Minho’s leadership approach during the encounter. How does it reflect the group’s dynamics and their evolving challenges?
Answer:
Minho demonstrates pragmatic but reactive leadership. He immediately orders the Gladers to prepare for a fight, showing vigilance, but his frustration (“bloody want?”) reveals stress from their dire circumstances. His sarcastic exchange with Thomas (“You’re freaking brilliant”) highlights tension within the group, while consulting Newt and others shows he values collaboration. However, his focus on immediate threats (e.g., the Cranks’ intentions) causes him to overlook deeper implications (e.g., the “other group” warning). This mirrors the group’s broader struggle: they’re adapting to survival in the Scorch but remain unprepared for psychological and strategic complexities.4. Why might the Cranks’ mention of “the Gone” be significant, and how does it connect to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
“The Gone” likely represents a terminal stage of the Flare, where victims lose all humanity. The Cranks’ distinction (“not past the Gone”) suggests a hierarchy of infection, aligning with the chapter’s themes of decay and identity. The capitalized term implies it could be a physical place (like a quarantine zone) or a psychological state, reinforcing the dystopian world’s brutality. This ties to Thomas’s fear of his tattoo—the idea that he might become “Gone.” It also reflects the Gladers’ own transition: they’re physically “gone” from WICKED’s facility but now face metaphorical dissolution (trust eroding, sanity tested).5. How does the setting (the Scorch) function as both a literal and symbolic obstacle in this chapter?
Answer:
Literally, the Scorch’s extreme heat and barren landscape threaten survival—Thomas notes the impossibility of running without heat exhaustion, and the group must seek shelter in the potentially dangerous town. Symbolically, it represents the Gladers’ escalating trials: the “melting” mirage mirrors their dissolving certainty, while the Cranks emerge from it like visions of their possible future. The town, floating ominously on the horizon, embodies both hope (resources) and peril (more Cranks). The setting thus physically and psychologically isolates them, forcing confrontations with external threats (Cranks) and internal fears (the Flare’s inevitability).
Quotes
1. “Thomas shivered, something that seemed completely impossible in the sweltering heat. He didn’t know why he felt the tickle of cold fear along his back—the Gladers outnumbered the approaching strangers almost ten times over—but the feeling was undeniable.”
This quote captures the ominous tension as the Gladers encounter the mysterious strangers. Despite their numerical advantage, Thomas’s instinctive fear foreshadows the threat these Cranks represent, setting the tone for the unsettling encounter.
2. “‘We’re Cranks.’ The two words came from the woman, a short burst of guttural annoyance.”
This blunt declaration introduces the identity of the strangers and establishes the harsh reality of the Scorch. The delivery—terse and hostile—reflects the grim world the Gladers now inhabit, where even communication is fraught with danger.
3. “‘Not all Cranks are gone,’ the man said. ‘Not all of them are past the Gone.’ He said that last word in a way that made it sound like the name of a place. ‘Different ones at different levels. Best you learn who to make friends with and who to avoid. Or kill.’”
This quote reveals the hierarchy and survival dynamics among Cranks, hinting at the complex social structure in the Scorch. The chilling advice underscores the brutal choices the Gladers will face, deepening the novel’s themes of survival and moral ambiguity.
4. “‘If you don’t have it yet, you’ll have it soon. Same with the other group. The ones that’re supposed to kill you.’”
The woman’s ominous warning heightens the stakes, introducing the threat of Group B and the inevitability of the Flare. This quote is pivotal as it shifts the Gladers’ focus from survival to impending conflict, driving the plot forward.
5. “‘Look, we don’t have a choice. If we don’t go to that town, we’re gonna die out here of sunstroke or starvation. If we do go, we’ll have some shelter…’”
Minho’s pragmatic conclusion encapsulates the Gladers’ dire situation. This quote represents the chapter’s turning point, where the group accepts the necessity of facing unknown dangers in the town, emphasizing the relentless pressure of their circumstances.