Society, Cultural Norms And Outcasts Of Dashner's The Maze Runner

The society, cultural norms, and outcasts of Dashner’s The Maze Runner reveal the true structure of the Glade and the hidden secrets of who controls it. The Maze Runner involves an experiment by which the characters are unaware of, known as The Killzone Experiment. This experiment’s hypothesis questions if the Gladers will form an organized society by themselves without guidance; this proves to be true. The Gladers form a society in which three rules dominate: each Glader must do his part, each Glader must never harm another Glader, and each Glader is forbidden to enter The Maze. Thomas honors the first rule especially throughout the book, “[j]ust do your part, he told himself” (340; ch. 56). However, Thomas experiences difficulty with the

This stability relies on the presumption that nothing will change for The Glade, and the Gladers are expected to accept this. Thomas finds the society foreboding, for he is curious and determined to find a way to exit The Glade. Alby is the leader. He was in The Glade for the longest out of all the Gladers. He experienced a time in which The Glade was not stable, and was the only survivor of this chaotic time; therefore, the Gladers see him as the most wise and the most fit to be the leader. However, Alby does not dictate the Gladers, he guides them with wisdom. Although there are no specific social classes in The Glade, for each Glader is equal, the Glade is controlled by W.I.C.K.E.D., the World in Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department, the leaders of the scientific experiment being conducted. While the Gladers are unaware of the organization’s significance, propaganda for it is shown throughout the story. “WICKED is good” (284; ch. 44). The cultural norms of The Glade are the three rules states previously that the society follows. The society is supported by the equal work efforts of each member of society. Thomas is the outcast because he wishes to find a way to exit The