The Scorch Trials
Chapter 5
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 5 of *The Scorch Trials*, Thomas and the Gladers encounter Aris, a mysterious boy who seems traumatized by shared horrors. Thomas senses Aris’s genuine fear and realizes he knows nothing about Teresa’s disappearance. The group attempts to piece together their fragmented memories, but confusion mounts as Minho reveals the facility has no other rooms or exits, despite their recollections of food and doors from the previous night. Thomas grows increasingly desperate to find Teresa, refusing to delay the search, even as the others prioritize understanding their situation.
Thomas searches the common area, a grim space filled with rotting bodies, but finds no trace of Teresa. The facility’s layout baffles him—plain walls, no windows, and steel doors chained shut from the inside. His frustration deepens as he questions whether their memories have been altered again by WICKED. The lack of logical explanations heightens his anxiety, and he reluctantly rejoins the group, hoping Aris might hold answers. Meanwhile, the Gladers rearrange the room to create a makeshift meeting space, though tensions simmer over Aris’s trustworthiness.
Back in the dorm, the Gladers form a circle to share information, but Minho openly suspects Aris of being a WICKED spy or even the murderer of the bodies outside. Newt tries to mediate, urging cooperation, but hunger and fear fuel the group’s impatience. Thomas, though distracted by worry, acknowledges their need for food and water, realizing their survival depends on unraveling the mystery. Aris, however, refuses to speak first, demanding the Gladers explain their origins, which only escalates Minho’s hostility.
The chapter ends with the group at an impasse, torn between uncovering the truth and addressing immediate dangers. Thomas struggles to balance his concern for Teresa with the need to collaborate, while the others grapple with distrust and exhaustion. The locked facility, missing memories, and Aris’s enigmatic presence create a claustrophobic tension, leaving the Gladers with more questions than answers as they face an uncertain and threatening environment.
FAQs
1. What evidence suggests that Aris has experienced trauma similar to Thomas and the Gladers?
Answer:
Thomas recognizes a “look of horror” on Aris’s face that he associates with terrible memories, similar to what he and the other Gladers have endured. This visceral reaction indicates shared trauma, particularly when Aris turns pale and whispers upon hearing about the Maze, Grievers, and WICKED. Newt reinforces this by stating they’ve “come from similar places,” implying Aris’s experiences parallel their own. The chapter emphasizes nonverbal cues—Aris’s physical reactions and Thomas’s intuition—to establish a connection between their pasts without explicit details yet.2. Analyze the significance of the locked and chained doors in the common area. What might this imply about their situation?
Answer:
The chained doors symbolize both physical confinement and psychological manipulation. Minho notes the doors are locked from the inside, which defies logic—suggesting WICKED or another force is controlling their environment. This parallels the Maze’s engineered traps, reinforcing themes of surveillance and testing. The absence of windows and hidden exits further isolates the group, heightening tension. Thomas’s suspicion that their memories may have been altered (“an alarm went off in his head”) ties the physical barriers to mental manipulation, implying their captivity is part of a larger experiment.3. How does Thomas’s urgency to find Teresa contrast with the group’s approach to problem-solving? What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Thomas prioritizes Teresa’s safety over collective discussion, shouting, “We’ve got all day to talk to this Aris guy!” while the others focus on organizing beds and sharing information. This highlights his loyalty and impulsiveness, driven by emotional attachment. In contrast, Newt and Minho advocate methodical steps (e.g., “we can only do one thing at a time”). Thomas’s solo search and desperation (“What if she…”) reveal his tendency to act independently under stress, a trait established in The Maze Runner. His refusal to accept Teresa’s disappearance underscores his defiance of authority and reliance on instinct.4. Evaluate the chapter’s portrayal of trust and suspicion among the characters. How do their interactions advance the plot?
Answer:
Trust is fragile: Thomas believes Aris’s trauma is genuine, while Minho immediately suspects him (“this shank could be one of the Creators”). Newt mediates, urging dialogue over violence. These tensions propel the plot by delaying revelations about Aris’s background and Teresa’s whereabouts. The Gladers’ wariness mirrors their experiences in the Maze, where allies were scarce. Aris’s demand that they “go first” in sharing information escalates conflict, forcing the group to confront their paranoia. This dynamic sets up future betrayals or alliances, a recurring theme in the series.5. What thematic role do the dead bodies in the common area serve? How do they affect the characters’ actions?
Answer:
The corpses symbolize the brutality of their world and foreshadow potential danger. Their “bloated and purple” state and the “bucket of raw sewage” smell create a visceral atmosphere of decay, mirroring the Gladers’ psychological deterioration. Thomas’s gag reflex and avoidance of eye contact emphasize the horror, while the bodies’ presence justifies the group’s urgency to escape. Notably, Thomas checks if Teresa is among them, tying the imagery to his personal stakes. The corpses also reinforce the theme of mortality, reminding readers that survival is never guaranteed in WICKED’s trials.
Quotes
1. “Something softened in Thomas. This kid wasn’t lying—he could just tell. The look of horror that had taken hold of Aris was one he knew well. Thomas had felt it himself and had seen it on too many other faces. He knew exactly what kind of terrible memories made someone look like that.”
This quote marks a pivotal moment of empathy and connection between Thomas and Aris, establishing trust amid the chaos. It underscores the shared trauma that binds the characters and sets the stage for their alliance.
2. “‘No, we’re not,’ Newt responded. ‘Tommy’s right. We need to talk. Sounds like we’ve come from similar places.’”
Newt’s insistence on dialogue highlights the chapter’s theme of collaboration versus suspicion. This moment bridges the tension between the Gladers and Aris, shifting the focus from confrontation to shared understanding.
3. “‘But then a horrible thought struck him. What if she … He ran through the room, searching the faces of the bodies. None of them was her.’”
This visceral reaction captures Thomas’s desperation and love for Teresa, driving the chapter’s emotional core. It also heightens the mystery of her disappearance, propelling the plot forward.
4. “‘An alarm went off in his head—their brains had been tinkered with before. Had it happened again? Had their memories been altered or wiped?’”
Thomas’s suspicion reflects the novel’s recurring theme of manipulation by WICKED. This quote deepens the psychological tension and paranoia, questioning the reliability of their reality.
5. “‘Minho pointed sharply at Aris. “Please, dude. For all we know this shank could be one of the Creators. Somebody from WICKED, here to spy on us.”’”
Minho’s distrust encapsulates the group’s fractured dynamic and the ever-present threat of betrayal. This quote underscores the survival mentality that defines their interactions in the Scorch.