The Scorch Trials
Chapter 42
by Dashner, JamesThomas awakens suspended in a canvas litter, being lowered from a massive aircraft—referred to as a “Berg”—by mysterious figures associated with WICKED. Upon landing, he reunites with his friends, including Minho, Newt, and Brenda, who bombard him with questions. Though disoriented, Thomas notices his shoulder wound has been treated, and he wears fresh clothes. The group retreats to a dilapidated wooden shelter to escape the scorching heat, where Thomas prepares to recount his experience. His rescue by WICKED raises unsettling questions about their surveillance and selective interventions.
Thomas explains that WICKED intervened to save him because the gunshot-induced infection was an unforeseen variable in their plans. He shares fragments of overheard conversations about “Candidates,” “killzone patterns,” and the organization’s cryptic motives. His companions react with frustration and confusion, struggling to reconcile WICKED’s actions with their harrowing ordeal. Minho and Newt speculate that the group is being tested, with Thomas singled out as a potential leader—a role he hesitates to embrace. The signs in the abandoned city about Thomas’s significance resurface in their discussion.
The group debates WICKED’s surveillance methods, recalling the beetle blades from the Maze and considering satellites or long-range cameras. Jorge questions Thomas’s apparent importance, echoing the signs that labeled him the “real leader.” Thomas, however, remains uneasy about the attention, wary of WICKED’s manipulative tendencies. The conversation underscores their lack of control and the pervasive uncertainty about their roles in WICKED’s grand, inscrutable experiment.
As the discussion winds down, the focus shifts to their immediate survival: navigating the brutal environment and reaching the safe haven within five days. Thomas’s return reinvigorates the group, but the underlying tension about WICKED’s motives lingers. The chapter closes with a sense of urgency, as they prepare to trek through the night, balancing physical endurance with the psychological weight of their unanswered questions. The mountains ahead symbolize both a literal and metaphorical obstacle in their fraught journey.
FAQs
1. What was Thomas’s physical condition when he woke up after being rescued by WICKED, and what does this reveal about their capabilities?
Answer:
When Thomas woke up, he was tightly bound to a canvas litter being lowered from a flying vessel (referred to as a “Berg”). He noticed he was wearing fresh clothes and had a bandaged shoulder, with only a dull ache remaining from his injury. This demonstrates WICKED’s advanced medical capabilities, as they were able to quickly and effectively treat his infected gunshot wound. The efficiency of their intervention suggests they have highly skilled doctors and resources at their disposal, reinforcing the idea that WICKED is a powerful organization with the ability to monitor and intervene in the Gladers’ lives at will.2. Why does Thomas find it disturbing that WICKED rescued him, and what does this imply about their motives?
Answer:
Thomas is disturbed because WICKED intervened to save him from an infection caused by a rusty bullet—a scenario they claimed was “not supposed to happen.” This implies they are closely monitoring the group but chose not to act when others were in danger or died. The selective rescue suggests Thomas holds special significance to WICKED, possibly tied to the city’s signs labeling him as the “real leader.” It raises ethical questions about WICKED’s priorities: are they observing the Gladers as test subjects, or do they have a hidden agenda tied to Thomas’s role?3. How does the group react to Thomas’s explanation of his experience with WICKED, and what does this reveal about their dynamics?
Answer:
The group listens intently but responds with frustration and confusion, as Thomas’s account of WICKED’s cryptic remarks (e.g., “killzone patterns,” “Candidates,” and “Variables”) provides more questions than answers. Minho’s sarcastic comment (“Well, that really cleared things up”) highlights their collective exasperation with WICKED’s secrecy. However, Newt attempts to synthesize the information, suggesting they are being tested as potential candidates for an unknown purpose. This dynamic shows the group’s reliance on each other to parse WICKED’s manipulations, even as trust and leadership tensions simmer beneath the surface.4. What does the dilapidated shelter and surrounding environment suggest about the world outside WICKED’s control?
Answer:
The shelter is described as dry, fragile, and seemingly ancient, as if it had survived a century of decay. The harsh, sun-scorched landscape and the distant, crumbling Crank city paint a picture of a world ravaged by disaster and neglect. The mountains ahead are “craggy and lifeless,” further emphasizing the desolation. This contrasts sharply with WICKED’s advanced technology (e.g., the Berg), suggesting that while WICKED thrives, the rest of the world has deteriorated. The shelter’s precarious state also symbolizes the Gladers’ vulnerability outside WICKED’s experiments.5. How does Minho’s leadership style contrast with Thomas’s, and what does this suggest about their roles in the group?
Answer:
Minho is direct, pragmatic, and occasionally sarcastic, as seen when he demands Thomas explain his ordeal so they can resume their journey. Thomas, meanwhile, is more introspective, grappling with the moral implications of WICKED’s actions. Their exchange about leadership (“You keep it”) reveals a mutual reluctance to take charge, yet both recognize the weight of responsibility. Minho’s focus on survival contrasts with Thomas’s concern for the bigger picture, hinting that their complementary strengths—action and analysis—may be necessary to navigate WICKED’s trials.
Quotes
1. “Which meant they were watching and could swoop in to save them whenever they wanted to. But they hadn’t until now. How many people had died in the last few days while WICKED stood by and watched?”
This quote captures Thomas’ disturbing realization about WICKED’s selective intervention, highlighting the moral ambiguity of their surveillance and the expendability of the Gladers in their experiments.
2. “The miserable city of the Cranks lay a few miles distant, huddling in all its decay and madness to the south… Harsh cuts in the rock made the whole range appear as though a giant had hacked at it with a massive axe for days and days, letting out all its giant frustration.”
This vivid description of the post-apocalyptic landscape emphasizes the harsh, unforgiving world the characters must navigate, mirroring their internal struggles and the brutality of their circumstances.
3. “‘What this means is that they’re watching us,’ Minho said. ‘Just like they did in the Maze. Has anyone seen a beetle blade running around anywhere?’”
This exchange reinforces the theme of constant surveillance and manipulation by WICKED, drawing parallels between their current ordeal and their past experiences in the Maze.
4. “‘What is it about Thomas that makes him so special? Those signs in the city about him being the real leader, them swooping in here and saving his butt when he got all sicky-sicky.’”
Jorge’s pointed question encapsulates the central mystery surrounding Thomas’ role in WICKED’s plans, hinting at his potentially unique importance in their grand design.
5. “‘If Thomas is gonna croak and die, it wasn’t supposed to come from a bloody infection.’”
Newt’s summary crystallizes the group’s understanding of WICKED’s controlled experiment parameters, where even death must follow their predetermined “Variables” rather than random chance.