The socio-cultural perspective allows a shift of thinking when viewing the same film which power, agency, and identity context play huge roles in this lens. The film Maze Runner displays a hierarchy of power and a clear indication of the classification of groups (Gamarra, Hartwick, Williams, 2014). When the box comes up with a new youth, Alby assigns him to a group where they are responsible for a specific aspect of the Glade where they must do their parts. It is also organized by a hierarchy whereby the newbies are deemed as the lower class while the longer a Glader stays, they gradually move up the hierarchical social class. In addition, the society is child-friendly which children and youths are valued and not excluded from daily life because …show more content…
The analysis explores Maze Runner from the socio-cultural perspective, based on the way that social relations shape youth’s identity and push them into the discourse of the normative. Power is an important subject that most fight for, especially among adults and adolescents. The youth has power to some extent in the society, yet most are placed in a vulnerable position where defense for themselves is impossible. Power tends to be unequally distributed in society, and powerful people have the privilege to assign resources. The duration the Gladers spend in the Glade determines the power that they hold. Since Alby is the first Glader, others look up to him and view him as an adult figure whereby he sets three rules that ensure their safety and the stability of the society. Breaking the rules result in a trial where Alby and Newt determine the severity of the punishment which banishment may occur. As they progress, Gladers learn to follow the rules and adjust to their new life. Most Gladers believe the rules can protect them, yet it is a clear indication of Alby’s fear of the unknown, given his greater exposure to fear. According to the post-modern paradigm from lecture, knowledge