The Scorch Trials
Chapter 28
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 28 of *The Scorch Trials*, Thomas firmly refuses Jorge’s demand, sparking tension between them. Jorge, a Crank leader, is angered by Thomas’s defiance after offering protection through a dangerous city. Thomas argues pragmatically, emphasizing the need to keep Minho alive due to his combat skills, though his personal bond with Minho also drives his stance. Jorge, initially threatening, eventually loosens his grip, hinting at a shift in his approach, though the confrontation underscores the volatile dynamics between the Gladers and the Cranks.
Jorge reveals his decision to spare Minho, citing two reasons: the possibility that WICKED’s experiment rewards group survival and his own strategic pivot toward stealth over brute force. Thomas hides his relief, intrigued by Jorge’s logic. Jorge dismisses the idea of leading a large group of Cranks, advocating for a smaller, stealthier team—including Brenda, a skilled ally. The negotiation highlights Jorge’s unpredictability and the fragile trust forming between him and Thomas.
The chapter’s tone shifts as Jorge and Thomas rejoin the others, where Jorge announces his resolutions to the Cranks and Gladers. He orders food for the Gladers and declares Minho’s punishment for attacking him: the loss of two fingers. Thomas observes the Cranks’ reactions, noting their brutality but also spotting Brenda, who stands out as composed. Minho remains defiant, unfazed by the threat, while Thomas braces for the fallout of Jorge’s decisions.
The chapter closes with Jorge’s chilling proclamation, leaving Minho’s fate hanging. Thomas’s hunger and exhaustion mirror the group’s dire circumstances, emphasizing the high stakes of their alliance with Jorge. The interplay of survival, loyalty, and power dynamics sets the stage for the next phase of their journey, where trust remains precarious and violence looms.
FAQs
1. How does Thomas negotiate with Jorge to spare Minho’s life, and what does this reveal about Thomas’s character?
Answer:
Thomas employs pragmatic reasoning rather than emotional appeals to convince Jorge not to kill Minho. He argues that Minho’s combat skills are vital for their survival, stating, “He’s our best fighter, and he’s not scared of anything” (Chapter 28). This highlights Thomas’s strategic thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure. However, his internal monologue reveals deeper loyalty: Minho is one of his only true friends, showing Thomas’s capacity for both rationality and emotional depth. His success in persuading Jorge demonstrates his growing leadership skills in high-stakes situations.2. What are Jorge’s two reasons for changing his mind about helping the Gladers, and how do they reflect the broader themes of the novel?
Answer:
Jorge’s first reason is pragmatic: he realizes WICKED’s experiment may require all Gladers to survive for the cure to work, hinting at competition with Group B. His second reason shifts to stealth over brute force, stating, “Tiptoe our way past the long-gone-crazy Cranks” (Chapter 28). These reasons tie into the novel’s themes of survival and deception. The emphasis on hidden agendas (WICKED’s true motives) and adaptability (stealth vs. combat) mirrors the characters’ constant navigation of unreliable alliances and shifting strategies in a dystopian world.3. Analyze the power dynamics between Jorge and Thomas in this chapter. How does their dialogue reveal shifts in control?
Answer:
The power dynamic evolves from Jorge’s initial dominance (“cut your arteries open”) to a tense partnership. Thomas gains leverage by appealing to Jorge’s self-interest (the cure) and mocking his warrior persona (“ugly outfits and sharp things”), which unexpectedly amuses Jorge. Their exchange—”We ain’t friends, hermano. We’re partners”—marks a negotiated balance. Jorge retains physical control (threatening consequences), but Thomas earns respect through wit and logic. The chapter ends with Jorge dictating terms (Minho’s punishment), yet Thomas’s earlier defiance (“No”) establishes his agency, showing their relationship as a fragile power-sharing arrangement.4. How does the chapter use humor to diffuse tension, and what effect does this have on the reader’s perception of the Cranks?
Answer:
Dark humor emerges in exchanges like Thomas asking if Jorge can “kill someone three times” and Jorge’s sarcastic “bird-face” remark. This levity contrasts with the grim context (finger amputations, starvation), preventing the tone from becoming overwhelmingly bleak. The Cranks, initially portrayed as monstrous (“vicious… ready to eat you alive”), gain nuance through Jorge’s laughter and the clean-haired girl’s eye-roll at her peers’ bloodthirstiness. These moments humanize the Cranks, complicating the reader’s view of them as purely antagonistic and suggesting individuality within the group’s collective menace.5. What foreshadowing exists in Jorge’s plan to use stealth instead of force, and how might this impact the Gladers’ journey ahead?
Answer:
Jorge’s insistence on stealth (“sneaking around this hellhole”) foreshadows greater dangers in the city than direct combat would suggest. His dismissal of the other Cranks (“I’m not taking all those Cranks”) hints at potential betrayal or resource scarcity. The plan also introduces Brenda, whose “genius” mind implies future intellectual challenges. Most ominously, Jorge’s warning about consequences if the cure fails (“a lot of death”) sets up a looming conflict. This shift from warfare to subterfuge suggests the Gladers will face psychological threats (deception, moral dilemmas) alongside physical ones, deepening the narrative’s tension.
Quotes
1. “No.”
Thomas said it with every ounce of finality and firmness he could muster.
This opening line sets the tone for the tense negotiation between Thomas and Jorge, showcasing Thomas’s unexpected bravery and defiance in the face of danger. It marks a pivotal moment where he stands his ground to protect Minho.
2. “I’ll spare him because I just made up my mind about something. Because of two reasons, actually. One of which you should have thought of yourself.”
Jorge’s shift from anger to strategic reasoning reveals his pragmatic side and introduces the stakes of their alliance. This quote highlights the underlying tension between survival and trust, as well as the unspoken rules of their dangerous world.
3. “We ain’t friends, hermano. We’re partners. I’ll deliver you to WICKED. You get me a cure. That’s the deal or there’s gonna be a lot of death.”
This blunt declaration crystallizes the transactional nature of their relationship. It underscores the fragile truce between Thomas’s group and Jorge, where mutual need overrides personal animosity, but threats loom large.
4. “You punched me with both of your fists. So we’re gonna cut a finger off each hand.”
The chapter’s chilling closing line reveals Jorge’s twisted sense of justice and foreshadows the brutal consequences awaiting Minho. It leaves readers on a cliffhanger, emphasizing the ever-present violence in their world.