Book Report 2: Character analysis

EngS Stream
The Maze Runner: By James Dashner
Character Analysis: Thomas

Matthew Lau 9D (12)

Key terms:
1. Griever (Horrible creature made by the creators, half animal half
machines which have stingers that contain poison, a Glader after
being stung however, will get back some of their memories)
2. The Glade (The place they were being placed in, which is kind of
a safe zone at first, which protects them from the Grievers.)
3. The Gladers (The boys being placed inside for some experiments,
thought they did not know at first, [revealed at the end of the
story])
4. The Maze (The only way out to the real world)
5. WICKED(An organization: World In Catastrophe: Killzone
Experiment Department; In my opinion, the writer named it on
purpose because the organization is indeed wicked, thought
readers would know it only after they had read the whole series;
People struggles with the purpose of WICKED, and weather the
department is good or not, knowing that a lot of innocent kids,
aged 11-17 would sacrifice, with long-term success unknown)
Thomas is the protagonist of the Maze Runner. He was introduced
first in the elevator, which brought him to the Glade. He forgot
everything except his name, and was very confused and terrified
when he found out that he was in a zone with nothing he knew. In
the end of the story, it was known that he was a part of the creators,
who created the Glade, including the Grievers (picture below;
although it should be more horrible than this).

Bravery
Despite entering an unfamiliar place, and with most of his
memories lost, he wanted to be a runner in order to bring the kids
out of the maze. He also questioned whether it is their fate to live
here forever. He dashed into the maze in order to save his friends,
1

and inside the maze, even when he saw the Griever coming, he
could still manage to tie and pull Alby up, who was injured, to let
him be safe from the Griever. At that time, Minho was too scared of
the Griever and had already ran away.
Strong curiosity
Thomas was portrayed as a kid with strong curiosity, which differs
from the others, who accepts everything. After knowing that the
maze was extremely dangerous and nobody would ever live for one
night in the maze (or outside the Glade), Thomas suddenly wanted
to be a runner in order to have a peek outside. He wanted to know
what is outside the Maze, he wanted to explore it knowing the fact
that he would risk his life. His curiosity fastens the pace of the story,
and increases the eager to solve the pace rapidly. Everything he did
was based on a single factor: To solve the maze. When everyone
accepted the fate, he was the one not to be satisfied. For example:
"Oh, you say that to stay out in the Maze overnight is a certain
death sentence? Lemme give that a try."
Dare to break the rules
Thomass strong curiosity also leads him to break rules, and
depicts him as an impulsive boy. He felt the rules were stupid and
simply out of coward, and he wanted to be the one to lead them out
of the maze. For example, when he saw Minho dragging Alby out of
the maze when the gates were closing, and times running out, he
slid through the nearly-closed gate and went into the maze, which
he wasnt allowed to (because he isnt a runner at that time).
However, knowing that going inside the maze would be certain
death, he still chose to slid in, we can know that he is very impulsive
person, which lacks planning before acting.
Selflessness
Thomas decides to help Minho and Alby despite they werent that
close and havent been known for long. He risks his own life to save
his friends. Also, in order to increase the ease of bring the Gladers
out of the maze, he chose to threw himself to the Gladers in order to
get back useful memories. To do this, he had to endure great pain,
and to accept the possibility to be insane, like some of the previous
ones who got stung.
Conclusion
James Dashner did a great job of using techniques to illustrate
Thomass character difference with others, making him the special
one, making him the catalyst of the story. With Gally recognizing
Thomas at the first place, and bullied him, with Alby disliking him,
Newts thought of Thomas being annoying, these make Thomas
more like the outsider, and more to have change or impact of the
situation. The fact that he was an outsider also made it more easier
for him to break the rules. After all, Thomas was a kid with bravery,
2

strong curious, the guts to break rules and selflessness, and all
these characteristics make the readers even like him more!