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    DystopianScience FictionYoung Adult

    The Scorch Trials

    by Dashner, James
    “The Scorch Trials” by James Dashner is the second installment in the “Maze Runner” series, following protagonist Thomas and his fellow Gladers as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by solar flares and a deadly virus. After escaping the Maze, they face a new set of challenges in the Scorch, a desolate wasteland, as part of a mysterious trial orchestrated by WICKED. Themes of survival, trust, and moral ambiguity are central as the group encounters treacherous environments, rival factions, and shifting alliances. The novel expands the dystopian lore while maintaining suspense and action, appealing to fans of young adult science fiction.
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    The Scorch Trials

    Chapter 36

    by Dashner, James

    In Chap­ter 36 of *The Scorch Tri­als*, Thomas and Bren­da con­front a mys­te­ri­ous plaque that bears Thomas’s name, spark­ing ten­sion and con­fu­sion. Bren­da reveals that sim­i­lar signs are scat­tered through­out the city, sug­gest­ing a delib­er­ate con­nec­tion to Thomas. He reacts with anger and dis­be­lief, feel­ing betrayed that Bren­da with­held this infor­ma­tion. The dis­cov­ery deep­ens the mys­tery of Thomas’s role, as Bren­da implies he is meant to be a leader, adding to his frus­tra­tion amid the chaos of their sur­vival.

    Their con­ver­sa­tion shifts as Bren­da probes Thomas about his past, includ­ing his expe­ri­ences in the Maze and his com­pli­cat­ed rela­tion­ship with Tere­sa. Thomas reluc­tant­ly shares his sto­ry, reveal­ing his trau­ma and lin­ger­ing emo­tions for Tere­sa. Brenda’s teas­ing ques­tion about their con­nec­tion trig­gers Thomas’s defen­sive reac­tion when she uses Teresa’s nick­name for him, high­light­ing his unre­solved feel­ings. The exchange under­scores the emo­tion­al weight Thomas car­ries, even as he tries to focus on their imme­di­ate dan­gers.

    The qui­et moment is shat­tered by omi­nous thump­ing sounds, lead­ing them to inves­ti­gate a dis­turb­ing scene: a hid­den door with rau­cous music and unset­tling laugh­ter. Real­iz­ing it’s a gath­er­ing of Cranks—infected but not yet ful­ly deranged—Thomas and Bren­da attempt to flee, only to be cor­nered by three intim­i­dat­ing strangers. The Cranks mock­ing­ly invite them to a par­ty, their tone laced with men­ace. Thomas’s unease grows as the sit­u­a­tion esca­lates, sens­ing the threat beneath their faux hos­pi­tal­i­ty.

    The con­fronta­tion turns dire when one of the Cranks bran­dish­es a gun, forc­ing Thomas and Bren­da into a cor­ner. The chap­ter ends on a cliffhang­er as the armed Crank and his com­pan­ion reveal weapons, leav­ing Thomas and Bren­da with no clear escape. The encounter under­scores the per­va­sive dan­ger of the Scorch, where even seem­ing­ly func­tion­al Cranks pose a lethal threat, com­pound­ing the pro­tag­o­nists’ strug­gle for sur­vival.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the signs Brenda reveals to Thomas, and how does this discovery impact their dynamic?

      Answer:
      The signs scattered throughout the city bear Thomas’s name, suggesting he is meant to be a leader, which deeply unsettles him. Brenda admits she withheld this information, fearing he might abandon her to investigate them. This revelation strains their trust, as Thomas feels betrayed by her secrecy despite their growing closeness. The signs also imply a larger, premeditated role for Thomas in the WICKED organization’s plans, adding to his confusion and frustration about his identity and purpose. Brenda’s eventual honesty forces Thomas to confront yet another piece of the mysterious puzzle surrounding his past and future.

      2. Analyze Thomas’s reaction when Brenda calls him “Tom.” What does this reveal about his relationship with Teresa?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s sharp rejection of the nickname “Tom” highlights his unresolved feelings for Teresa, who exclusively used that name for him. His visceral response suggests lingering emotional attachment, even as he struggles to define their relationship—whether as friends, past romantic partners, or collaborators in designing the Maze. Brenda’s accidental use of the nickname triggers discomfort, revealing how deeply Teresa’s betrayal (or perceived betrayal) affects him. This moment underscores Thomas’s internal conflict: he trusts Brenda enough to share his story but remains guarded about vulnerabilities tied to Teresa.

      3. How does the encounter with the Cranks at the end of the chapter escalate tension, and what does it foreshadow?

      Answer:
      The three Cranks’ menacing “invitation” to their party introduces immediate physical threat, escalating from eerie music to armed coercion. Their mocking tone and weapons (a gun and knife) suggest violence is inevitable, forcing Thomas and Brenda into a dangerous confrontation. The scene foreshadows a darker turn in their survival journey, emphasizing that not all Cranks are mindless—some retain enough cunning to manipulate or trap others. The tension also tests Thomas and Brenda’s teamwork, hinting at future scenarios where trust and quick thinking will be essential to escape WICKED’s orchestrated horrors.

      4. Compare Brenda’s and Thomas’s responses to the Crank party’s music. What does this reveal about their characters?

      Answer:
      Thomas is immediately alarmed by the music’s unnatural, frenzied quality, associating it with danger, while Brenda initially downplays it as mere “drumming.” Her sarcasm (“Ya think?”) masks concern, whereas Thomas’s instincts scream caution. This contrast underscores their differing survival styles: Thomas is hyper-vigilant due to his traumatic experiences, while Brenda, though pragmatic, sometimes underestimates threats. Their dynamic reflects complementary strengths—Thomas’s intuition and Brenda’s adaptability—which will be vital in navigating the Cranks’ unpredictable world. The scene also hints at Brenda’s resilience, as she quickly shifts to seriousness when real danger appears.

      5. Why might the author have included the detail about the Cranks being “half gone at worst” instead of fully deranged?

      Answer:
      This detail complicates the portrayal of Cranks, showing they exist on a spectrum of deterioration rather than as uniformly insane. The “half gone” Cranks’ ability to mock and strategize makes them more sinister, as they blend manipulation with violence. This nuance heightens suspense—Thomas can’t rely on predictable “monster” behavior—and mirrors WICKED’s themes of moral ambiguity. It also raises stakes: encounters require psychological maneuvering, not just physical escape. By humanizing some Cranks, the author challenges Thomas’s (and the reader’s) assumptions about who is truly dangerous in this world.

    Quotes

    • 1. “These signs are all over the city. All of them say the same thing. Exactly the same thing.”

      This quote reveals a major mystery in the chapter—Thomas’s name appearing on signs throughout the city, suggesting a predetermined role for him. It represents the recurring theme of manipulation and hidden agendas in the story.

      2. “I didn’t tell you because I was worried about how you’d react. I figured you’d probably run off looking for the signs, forget all about me.”

      Brenda’s confession shows the tension between trust and self-preservation in their relationship. It highlights the moral dilemmas characters face when balancing honesty with survival in their harsh world.

      3. “Here I am in a city full of whacked-in-the-brain Cranks, there’s a group of girls who want to kill me, and I’m supposed to worry about who the real leader of my group is? It’s ridiculous.”

      Thomas’s outburst captures the overwhelming absurdity of his situation. This quote perfectly encapsulates the novel’s central tension between personal identity and external expectations in a chaotic environment.

      4. “Don’t call me that… Just … don’t.”

      This brief but powerful exchange reveals Thomas’s lingering emotional connection to Teresa through his reaction to Brenda using Teresa’s nickname for him. It shows how past relationships continue to affect present interactions.

      5. “You’re invited to our party. That’s not something you turn down.”

      The threatening “invitation” from the Cranks serves as the chapter’s climactic moment, transitioning from dialogue to action. It represents the constant danger lurking in this world and the loss of personal agency the characters face.

    Quotes

    1. “These signs are all over the city. All of them say the same thing. Exactly the same thing.”

    This quote reveals a major mystery in the chapter—Thomas’s name appearing on signs throughout the city, suggesting a predetermined role for him. It represents the recurring theme of manipulation and hidden agendas in the story.

    2. “I didn’t tell you because I was worried about how you’d react. I figured you’d probably run off looking for the signs, forget all about me.”

    Brenda’s confession shows the tension between trust and self-preservation in their relationship. It highlights the moral dilemmas characters face when balancing honesty with survival in their harsh world.

    3. “Here I am in a city full of whacked-in-the-brain Cranks, there’s a group of girls who want to kill me, and I’m supposed to worry about who the real leader of my group is? It’s ridiculous.”

    Thomas’s outburst captures the overwhelming absurdity of his situation. This quote perfectly encapsulates the novel’s central tension between personal identity and external expectations in a chaotic environment.

    4. “Don’t call me that… Just … don’t.”

    This brief but powerful exchange reveals Thomas’s lingering emotional connection to Teresa through his reaction to Brenda using Teresa’s nickname for him. It shows how past relationships continue to affect present interactions.

    5. “You’re invited to our party. That’s not something you turn down.”

    The threatening “invitation” from the Cranks serves as the chapter’s climactic moment, transitioning from dialogue to action. It represents the constant danger lurking in this world and the loss of personal agency the characters face.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the signs Brenda reveals to Thomas, and how does this discovery impact their dynamic?

    Answer:
    The signs scattered throughout the city bear Thomas’s name, suggesting he is meant to be a leader, which deeply unsettles him. Brenda admits she withheld this information, fearing he might abandon her to investigate them. This revelation strains their trust, as Thomas feels betrayed by her secrecy despite their growing closeness. The signs also imply a larger, premeditated role for Thomas in the WICKED organization’s plans, adding to his confusion and frustration about his identity and purpose. Brenda’s eventual honesty forces Thomas to confront yet another piece of the mysterious puzzle surrounding his past and future.

    2. Analyze Thomas’s reaction when Brenda calls him “Tom.” What does this reveal about his relationship with Teresa?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s sharp rejection of the nickname “Tom” highlights his unresolved feelings for Teresa, who exclusively used that name for him. His visceral response suggests lingering emotional attachment, even as he struggles to define their relationship—whether as friends, past romantic partners, or collaborators in designing the Maze. Brenda’s accidental use of the nickname triggers discomfort, revealing how deeply Teresa’s betrayal (or perceived betrayal) affects him. This moment underscores Thomas’s internal conflict: he trusts Brenda enough to share his story but remains guarded about vulnerabilities tied to Teresa.

    3. How does the encounter with the Cranks at the end of the chapter escalate tension, and what does it foreshadow?

    Answer:
    The three Cranks’ menacing “invitation” to their party introduces immediate physical threat, escalating from eerie music to armed coercion. Their mocking tone and weapons (a gun and knife) suggest violence is inevitable, forcing Thomas and Brenda into a dangerous confrontation. The scene foreshadows a darker turn in their survival journey, emphasizing that not all Cranks are mindless—some retain enough cunning to manipulate or trap others. The tension also tests Thomas and Brenda’s teamwork, hinting at future scenarios where trust and quick thinking will be essential to escape WICKED’s orchestrated horrors.

    4. Compare Brenda’s and Thomas’s responses to the Crank party’s music. What does this reveal about their characters?

    Answer:
    Thomas is immediately alarmed by the music’s unnatural, frenzied quality, associating it with danger, while Brenda initially downplays it as mere “drumming.” Her sarcasm (“Ya think?”) masks concern, whereas Thomas’s instincts scream caution. This contrast underscores their differing survival styles: Thomas is hyper-vigilant due to his traumatic experiences, while Brenda, though pragmatic, sometimes underestimates threats. Their dynamic reflects complementary strengths—Thomas’s intuition and Brenda’s adaptability—which will be vital in navigating the Cranks’ unpredictable world. The scene also hints at Brenda’s resilience, as she quickly shifts to seriousness when real danger appears.

    5. Why might the author have included the detail about the Cranks being “half gone at worst” instead of fully deranged?

    Answer:
    This detail complicates the portrayal of Cranks, showing they exist on a spectrum of deterioration rather than as uniformly insane. The “half gone” Cranks’ ability to mock and strategize makes them more sinister, as they blend manipulation with violence. This nuance heightens suspense—Thomas can’t rely on predictable “monster” behavior—and mirrors WICKED’s themes of moral ambiguity. It also raises stakes: encounters require psychological maneuvering, not just physical escape. By humanizing some Cranks, the author challenges Thomas’s (and the reader’s) assumptions about who is truly dangerous in this world.

    Note