Universal Themes In James Dashner's The Maze Runner

Universal themes are apparent across time, culture, and place, which are evident in all stories. For example, The Maze Runner, by James Dashner exposes universal themes in a dystopian science fiction society. The Maze Runner portrays universal storytelling elements by emphasizing heroic scenarios, having likable characters, causing a narrative transport, and social cohesion.

The Maze Runner portrays universal themes through heroic scenarios. Thomas the main character puts heroic scenarios to the extreme when he runs into the moving maze to save the leader Alby. Only a true hero or a maze runner is capable of doing this. Thomas was the first to kill a Griever. As Thomas and another maze runner Minho had to stay the night in the maze, they had to fight for their lives. No one has ever stayed the night in the maze and

Narrative transport is when an audience loses himself or herself in a story. Their emotions and attitudes change due to the story. Although in my life I never have or will be put into a new world with a maze. My emotions can connect. I can relate to Chuck. He loves his parents and misses them. Even though he does not remember them, he just seems to know he does. I can relate when my parents left for Europe for two months. Although I still remembered them, I had the feeling Chuck did. I missed them and so did he. This caused a narrative transport, my emotions were touched, and causing me to flashback to a time I had felt the same way. I can also relate to Thomas. Thomas had told Chuck he would get him home so he can see his parents. “I promised I’d save him, take him home! I promised him”(The Maze Runner). This quote is important because it shows how hurt Thomas is. It shows how much he wanted to help everyone. My emotions were touched because I once promised one of my elderly residents she would be okay and she passed away that night. Narrative transport is key to any