The Importance Of Setting In The Maze Runner By James Dashner

In The Maze Runner, written by James Dashner, the setting plays a significant role in shaping the story and the protagonist’s development. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which a group of boys finds themselves trapped in a mysterious maze with no memory of their past lives. The Glade serves not only as a physical obstacle that Thomas and the Gladers must overcome but also as a psychological one that challenges Thomas’s beliefs and values, eventually transforming him into a hero. While the setting of most novels is merely there as an introduction, the setting of The Maze Runner introduces an environment that is severely noteworthy to the plot of the story due to the dangerous and mysterious conflicts that emerge, creating

The maze emphasizes the importance of cooperation during hard times, as the Gladers must work together to navigate through the maze and defeat the Grievers that lurk within it. “‘Listen to me! There’s something about her—I think she and I were sent here to help end this whole thing’” (Dashner 243). At this moment, Thomas realizes that he might be the key to everyone’s escape, they just need to trust him and work with him. The setting of the maze also highlights the importance of leadership, as Thomas becomes a leader among the Gladers, guiding them through the maze and exhibiting the qualities of a hero. “He held up a finger. ‘But listen to me—I don’t want another buggin’ word about you dying and all that heroic klunk. If we’re gonna do this, we’ll take our chances— all of us. You hear me?’” (Dashner 316). Although the Gladers make fun of him for it, they view Thomas as a hero and they’re glad he was able to help them so drastically. The setting of the maze in The Maze Runner is a powerful metaphor for the struggle to survive in a dystopian world, emphasizing the importance of leadership and cooperation in times of