The Maze Runner Character Analysis Quiz

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner, directed by Wes Ball, is a science fiction dystopian novel turned film released in 2014. Based on James Dashner's book of the same name, it follows Thomas, played by Dylan O'Brien, who awakens without any memory of his past in a glade surrounded by towering maze walls with a group of other teenagers. The story revolves around their attempts to escape this maze before they run out of time while dealing with their own personal issues.

Character Analysis

Thomas, the protagonist, represents resilience and determination. Despite having no recollection of his life prior to waking up in the Glade, he refuses to let the situation demoralize him and instead focuses on finding answers and escaping with the others. His courage inspires those around him, including Teresa Agnes, the only female member of the group, played by Kaya Scodelario.

Plot Summary

In the opening scene of the movie, Thomas is found unconscious inside a metal box known as the "Box", which later reveals itself to be a lift. As he comes to consciousness, he finds himself trapped outside the Glade, discovering the maze and its inhabitants. Throughout the film, Thomas works together with these young men - Alby, Chuck, Newt, Gally, Ben, and Montgomery (Monty) - to learn more about how to survive within the maze, decipher its mysteries, and find ways to escape. They discover that the maze walls move and change, always shifting towards the center where the "Grievers," mechanical creatures that seek to capture and kill anyone who enters the maze, await.

Through Chapter 3, titled "The Dead Runner" (in the first book), Thomas discovers how to navigate the maze, utilizing its pathways and rules effectively to run faster and farther each day. Each runner is given a name based on their longest distance record: the person with the fastest speed is named "Sunny," followed by "Runner Number One," and so on. As they learn about themselves and the world outside the maze, the group also undergoes physical training, led by Chuck who stands out due to his extraordinary strength despite never running in the maze.

Themes

The Maze Runner explores themes such as friendship, betrayal, courage, leadership, discovery, and survival. The story illustrates that true strength lies not just in individual abilities, but also in collective resilience and unity. Characters showcase varying degrees of loyalty, trustworthiness, and bravery, making viewers question what constitutes a hero and whether pure intentions can overcome the odds.

Setting

The setting of The Maze Runner consists of two main parts: the Glade and the maze itself. The Glade serves as a temporary shelter for the teenagers, offering safety from the dangerous Grievers within the maze. It represents hope and a place where relationships form between the trapped characters. On the other hand, the maze symbolizes confinement, limitation, and danger. The ever-changing landscape keeps the boys guessing and requires constant adaptation, highlighting fear, determination, and innovation in order to survive. The film captures these aspects effectively through its vivid visuals, creating a compelling narrative that keeps viewers engaged till the very end.