A Journey Through the Maze

    What does it feel like to be trapped? To be trapped is the prevention of escaping a certain place, just as Thomas and his friends are in The Maze Runner, by James Dashner. Sometimes, the feeling of being cut off and isolated isn't always as noticeable as an incredibly large border around a bunch of kids. For example, I often end up in situations where I am unsure of what to do and how to act, creating a lot of stress and pressure. I have also found out that groups of 3 people are difficult as someone, usually me, tends to be forgotten and left out of everything.  Clearly, this is not visually the same as what these kids have had to endure, but it may still take place under the state of being trapped. Think of school, something in which everyone can relate to. School is a great place for students to go and learn and collaborate with one another, but waking up and going to the same places every day can become quite boring. Sometimes people feel trapped through their schedule which could include school, jobs, taking care of pets, and more. There may be no time to hang out with friends and family. I would sure feel trapped in a loop if that happened to me. However, the good thing about feeling trapped is that a solution and a way to feel free always starts to sprinkle through eventually just like Thomas shows everyone when he arrives. Compared to the films that were created after the books, there is so much more detail and ability to differentiate the characters! The phrase, "books are better than the movies" is 100% true in this case for the movies leave out so many details that the audience would have a thrill with.

     This book has so many themes and plots attached, like how all of these kids somehow lost all their memories besides their names and were thrown into a huge puzzle as experiments. I have had to solve many puzzles before like a Rubix cube and. . well. . an actual puzzle, and go through corn mazes but I don't think I would ever be able to get thrown into a giant maze to be picked off from the best. This book invites the audience to compare their own life scenarios and create friendships that are trusting and hard-working. The maze, and what's inside of it, show that you are stronger and smarter than you may think.  

    Just like people today have different jobs in the industry, the kids all divided themselves up to do tasks as they continue to survive in the maze.  Similar to how we all have doctors, some kids are assigned what is called a "Med-Jack" whose role is the medical personnel throughout their time in the maze. There is a small group whose job is to run through the maze every day, mapping it out and finding a way to get out or escape. They are considered the "runners." Map-makers are those who create maps based on what the runners identify from the maze. "Slopers" are thought by everyone as the worst job in the maze, which involves cleaning toilets, showers, kitchens, other areas being used, and the slaughterhouse after they have finished use. "Slicers" are just like butchers today, where they kill the livestock to give to the "cooks" who make the food. "Trackhoes" are similar to gardeners, they help with growing plants and food as well as maintaining the soil and taking care of their area. "Baggers" are in charge of helping to bury the dead kids, and "builders" are in charge of building the living structures. Each person can test for a specific role, like a runner, but they aren't guaranteed the position. This is very similar to how students today plan on going into a specific career when they graduate, but they have the opportunity to change their minds if they can't make it into school, or just lose interest. These kids' jobs are quite similar, if not the same to different tasks we are in charge of at the moment.

    This series by James Dashner, is the #1 New York bestselling series. His popularity began through his first Maze Runner book in 2009 and this transformation into a movie in 2014. He is known for speculative fiction, with books aimed at young adults and children. His inspiration for this book was through his viewpoint of the movie The Shining, and the book Lord of The Flies with the use of a hedge maze. Dashner had a huge fascination with mazes even though he was not a big fan of corn mazes, which is pretty confusing on whether he actually likes or dislikes mazes. 

    Personally, I think this book was a really interesting book with a lot of crazy things occurring left and right! It is a pretty simple book to follow but still a challenge for those who like to be challenged. I can relate to so many life experiences and set backs the characters have had to face like how to trust someone even if you knew they've done something to impact your life. This is a book everyone should check out! 

    Books similar to The Maze Runner include the Divergent series and The Hunger Games series.

         Some unique phrases used in this story are:

- Gladers: what they call themselves in the center of the maze (the glade)

- Klunk: poop/crap

- Shuck: used normally when frustrated, annoyed, or upset

- Slim it: calm down or shut it

- Shank: person

- Greenie/Green bean: what the newest arrival to the glade is nicknamed

- Newbie: also relating to a new member of the glade

- Good that: used in agreeance

- Jacked: describing someone who is messed up in the head

- Keepers: leaders of the glade

- Gathering: a meeting where only keepers attend, often when something drastic occurs

- Grievers: Giant slug-like monsters that are armed with weapons and machinery. Considered a hybrid of both and roams around the maze at night.

- The changing: Used to describe the changing effects of being stung by a griever

-The Flare: a terrible disease that occurred before the time the gladers got imprisoned.

- The slammer: a jail built on the north side of the glade