Because Chuck willingly believes in Thomas, he is able to save Thomas's life by jumping in front of Gally's knife. He makes him this promise to help keep him calm and give him something to live for. Thomas looks upon Chuck as a younger brother more than as a friend. It is essential for them to believe that such a life is possible, even if they may have their internal doubts. Thomas promises Chuck a stable life with a loving family, the type of fantasy any orphan might wish for themselves.

Chuck is set up as a character whose death will propel Thomas's development and motivation as a leader. Thomas's characterization as a savior of the Gladers and the resulting guilt he experiences when he is unable to save his friend, are foreshadowed throughout the novel. Thomas reflects on Chuck's death, telling Teresa about the promise he made to him. 'I promised I'd save him, take him home! I promised him!” Thomas, p. “I promised him!' he screamed, realizing even as he did so that his voice was laced with something wrong. Thomas seems to suspect that the outside world is long gone but also sees that they have no choice but to try to escape their immediate situation. This quote also foreshadows what the Gladers will eventually discover about the Flare and how it has ravaged the Earth. If one spent their waking life dreaming of a better home, they would be crushed to learn that it no longer exists, if it ever did. When Thomas hears that the Changing causes old memories to be recovered, shedding light on the state of the outside world, he begins to wonder if this is the cause of their depression.

These individuals become shunned by the greater Glader community. The Changing seems to make its victims unpleasant company thereafter.

Thomas asks this question after learning about the Changing, forcing Alby and the others to consider what they have witnessed in those who have gone through it. 'Are they changed because they want to go back to their old life, or is it because they're so depressed at realizing their old life was no better than what we have now?' Thomas, p.149

Maze runner quotes