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Social Commentary in the Maze Runner
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The Social Commentary in Maze Runner
By: Piper Kelly
The Maze Runner series focuses on a group of kids ranging in ages from preteens to young adults mainly male, who are trapped in a maze without their memories. Their goal is to escape, but with no knowledge of their surroundings or the outside world it would be a miracle. Eventually the main character comes along and almost the entire group escapes, but it can't be that simple. It is revealed that the group was trapped in the maze so scientists can study their brains. Earth as we know it fell to ruin when what they called 'The Scorch' happened which released a biochemical that effectively turns humans into zombie like creatures called Cranks. The children possess an enzyme in their brain that allows them to be immune to the effects of the virus, and science wants to use this enzyme to find a cure even at the risk of destroying a generation.
Summary
Social Commentary
This is an example of social commentary because it shows just how much pressure adults put on children. Throughout the maze these teenagers faced some of the most gruelling physical and mental tasks. The goal was to survive, and discover who they were before the maze. In real life society pressures teenagers to find their way through the maze of life by choosing a career, some form of post schooling, all while trying to figure out who they are as a person. To adults this social commentary may go unnoticed, but to the generations who feel this pressuring force it is eye opening.
References
Like in the video Maze Runner tackles this generation pressure in a sneaky way. Similar to what Star Trek did by saying that this is a fictional universe anything can happen James Dashner was able to right about teenage crisis without having parents complain. Despite the circumstances being different where the teenagers in the Maze are test subjects, and teenagers reading "Maze Runner" are subject ot their homework the connection would not be very clear to parents and adults, but teenagers are able to reflect on the struggles of the Gladers; much like anyone watching Star Trek would be able to relate to its social commentary like the video said.