The Maze Runner Literary Analysis

The Maze Runner was a very captivating novel that shares the struggles, friendships, and hardships of Thomas in the Glade. It centers on Thomas who has been suddenly dropped off in a new oddly-perfect world, called the Glade. In the Glade, everyone has a purpose, even if it's not the most glamorous job. Thomas is transported there in "The Box", a elevator-like machine. Once he emerges, he doesn't remember anyone or anything from his old life. Not even his age (He estimates around sixteen). He learns that the Glade is surrounded by a maze, and that the other Gladers have been looking for a way out of it through two years. This book would be classified under the genres, young adult, science fiction, and dystopian. It has mature themes that children
may not be able to understand. It shows strong areas of science fiction because of the futuristic enemies, and uncomfortable situations. It is dystopian, because parts of it are set in a post-apocalyptic world. Most of the action in this book (in the first 1/4 to 1/2 of the novel) takes place in the maze, where Thomas becomes a Runner, which is one who tries to find a way out of the maze. He and the other Runners battle giant machine-like beasts titled "Grievers" - the most hideous, ravenous beasts who feast on human flesh. Dashner does an outstanding job of making the reader feel like they are in Thomas' shoes. He uses many descriptive words to show what Thomas feels and witnesses.