The Maze Runner by Alexander Altman

Thomas: The Main Character

aa212_1 — 2024-02-06 14:28:41 UTC

Thomas is the main character in my book. He shows up in the Maze not remembering a single thing about his former life, not even his age. Little does he know he is the key to finding the exit to the Maze. What he still has a hard time figuring out after he regained some of his memory is why he remembers working with the people that put him in this horrible experiment.

Setting: The Maze

aa212_1 — 2024-02-06 16:41:47 UTC

The Maze is very large. Stone walls that tower over you in every direction. In the center of the Maze there are 4 big doors in each cardinal direction that lead into the Maze. During the day they're open but during the night they close. The Maze is so big that they've been here for 2 years and they still haven't found their way out.

Setting: The Glade

aa212_1 — 2024-02-07 04:05:10 UTC

The Glade is the home of the Gladers. It is located in the center of the maze. This is were they have built there small civilization where they farm and plan ways to escape the Maze that surrounds them from all sides.

The Grievers

aa212_1 — 2024-02-07 04:11:45 UTC

At night these hideous monsters roam the Maze. The Gladers think they are some weird monster-machine that was created to guard the Maze and kill any living thing out in the Maze. They think that the doors close at night either to keep the Gladers in the Glade or even worse, protect them from what's out there during the night.

The Gladers

aa212_1 — 2024-02-07 04:20:27 UTC

The Gladers first arrived in the Maze about 2 years ago. The first of them arrived in the box. Every person that arrives has had their former life erased from their minds and they are left to question where in the world are the in this horrible place. They have taken the Glade as their home and forged it into a working society where everyone has an important job. By the time Thomas arrived there were about 50 Gladers already there. Apparently all of their names are made up after famous people back in the day. For example: Newt- Isaac Newton, Thomas- Thomas Edison.

Setting: The Box

aa212_1 — 2024-02-07 04:32:41 UTC

The Box is where all of the Gladers arrive to the Maze. At first a handful of them arrive in this box. Every month after that a new Glader would arrive in the box and every week new supplies like food and clothes would arrive for the Gladers. If the Gladers want something particular they can send a note asking for that item and if the item is acceptable they will send it up in the next supply box. Once a kid tried to escape through the box after it was to be sent down but it never was sent down until they got out of the box. Another kid tried to go down the elevator shaft of the box but on his way down he mysteriously got cut clean in half and instantly died.

Quote: The Arrival

aa212_1 — 2024-02-08 11:28:52 UTC

"Harsh sounds of chains and pulleys, like the workings of an ancient steel factory, echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls with a hollow, tinny whine. The lightless elevator swayed back and forth as it ascended, turning the boy's stomach sour with nausea; a smell like burnt oil invaded his senses, making him feel worse. He wanted to cry, but no tears came; he could only sit there, alone, waiting. My name is Thomas, he thought. That...that was the only thing he could remember about his life." -pg. 1. This is Thomas's arrival into the the Glade through the Box. His arrival sets the stage for the whole entire book. He has no idea what is happening or why he is here. He even states that he could only remember his name. Its important because practically the whole book almost revolves around Thomas and him trying to remember what's going on or why he's here.

My Rating

aa212_1 — 2024-02-08 14:20:45 UTC

I would rate this book 5 stars. I like it because there is a lot of adventure and mystery. I also like the great character build of Thomas, the main character. it is also very emotional and there are a lot of plot-twists that make it interesting.

Quote: Chuck's death

aa212_1 — 2024-02-08 15:56:32 UTC

"Gally reached behind himself, pulled something long and shiny from his back pocket. The lights of the chamber flashed off the silvery surface-a wicked-looking dagger, gripped tightly in his fingers. With unexpected speed, he reared back and threw the knife at Thomas. As he did so, Thomas heard a shout to his right, sensed movement. Toward him. The blade windmilled, its every turn visible to Thomas, as if the world had turned to slow motion. As if it did so for the sole purpose of allowing him to feel the terror of seeing such a thing. On the knife came, flipping over and over, straight at him. A strangled cry was forming in his throat; he urged himself to move but he couldn't. Then, inexplicably, Chuck was there, diving in front of him. Thomas felt as if his feet had been frozen in blocks of ice; he could only stare at the scene of horror unfolding before him, completely helpless. With a sickening, wet thunk, the dagger slammed into Chuck's chest, burying itself to the hilt. The boy screamed, fell to the floor, his body already convulsing. Blood poured from the wound, dark crimson. His legs slapped against the floor, feet kicking aimlessly with onrushing death. Red spit oozed between his lips. Thomas felt as if the world were collapsing around him, crushing his heart. He fell to the ground, pulled Chuck's shaking body into his arms. "Chuck!" he screamed; his voice felt like acid ripping through his throat. "Chuck!"" -pg. 356. This scene was near the end of the book. It was important because Chuck was Thomas's best friend in the Glade. This moment now will haunt Thomas for the rest of his life. He will remember this and whenever he fights, he will fight for Chuck.

Setting: After the Flare

aa212_1 — 2024-02-08 21:20:17 UTC

At some point in the future a catastrophic event had occurred. A flare from the sun came and hit earth causing disastrous things to happen. Scientists tried to warn people about it but it was too late. The Flare caused climates to completely change. The entire equator was scorched. Sea levels rose drastically because of melting icebergs. Out of all the things that happened the worst was the disease that came with the Flare called the Flare which is kind of confusing but that's what it's named. It was a man-made diseased that was accidently released during the sun flares and is unlike anything mankind had seen before and what it does is get into your head and drive you insane. When you got infected you were titled a crank.

The Creators

aa212_1 — 2024-02-08 21:40:22 UTC

WICKED are the creators of the Maze. It stands for "WORLD IN CATASTROPHE KILLZONE EXPERIMENT DEPARTMENT". When the Flare started and it infected tons of people, governments around the world were so desperate to stop this that they all came together to form WICKED. They helped quarantine the world and slow infection rates way down. Now they are doing an experiment with the Gladers and the Maze, studying there choices and how they react to certain obstacles or variables. What they is somewhat inhumane but it's for the sake of the entire world and human race so they are willing to make sacrifices.

Setting: The Lab

aa212_1 — 2024-02-11 21:25:53 UTC

After the Gladers escaped the Maze they found themselves in the lab. There are scientists watching them through glass. Then someone walks in and Gally kills Chuck. Thomas is in shock but seconds after that unknown people break in and kill all the scientists there. They claim they are here to rescue the Gladers from WICKED. The Gladers leave and get on a bus going to a place where they can rest, eat and process what has happened in the last few days.

The Theme

aa212_1 — 2024-02-12 13:53:55 UTC

I think the author, James Dashner, believes that memories make us who we are. The book is based on Thomas trying to remember his past. He remembers the basic things of the world but all the names and faces in his memories are blank. Without all of those things from his past he feels lost. He doesn't know who he is or what he's done. He doesn't know his father, his mother, nor anyone. Memories are important because they are what make us who we are. Without them we are unsculpted and lost, not knowing where we came from or who we are, and without the past, how will we make decisions for the future?

Letter to the Author

aa212_1 — 2024-02-12 14:50:19 UTC

Dear Author,

I like the Maze Runner book very much. The amount of thought you put into it is incredible. All of the character builds are very interesting. The plot is very original and it really makes you think about both the world and the people in it. I can see how you might've thought of the book, Lord of the Flies while writing this because you put a handful of young boys in a random, confusing place and went from there, but instead of them tearing each other apart, they came together. They all built a community together. They all had jobs and worked constantly to keep themselves sane. After being in the Maze for 2 years they still hadn't lost hope in escaping. I can see how hope and memories are important too you.

-Alex