Quest in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner Trilogy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 English Language and Literature Department, Tehran University, Kish Island.

2 Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, Shiraz University

3 Department of English Language and Literature, Persian Gulf University

10.34785/J014.2021.319

Abstract

Myths, as part of human's life since ancient times, continue to be depicted in novels, movies, and TV series with the advent of technology. The dystopian theme much favored in the book market receiving international attention and appreciation is present in a large number of novels for the adult and the adolescent. Dystopia, as a sub-genre of science fiction, has strongly affected young adult (YA) literature. The Maze Runner trilogy (2009-2011), written by James Dashner, is a popular dystopian fiction with almost all-male supporting heroes. In the present paper, quest in Dashner’s trilogy is investigated in order to analyze the adventure in terms of Joseph Campbell’s views of hero’s journey, including the steps from the very first volume to the third in order to explore the archetype of journey in an adventure taking place in the future fictional world. Characters in this trilogy go through many difficulties to survive, and they pass through the rite of the passage each facing a crisis. A major conclusion the research arrives at is that there is more of an inner change in the young characters than an instant effect on their environment; however, they will be ready for the future. 

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 September 2020
  • Revise Date: 20 December 2021
  • Accept Date: 17 January 2021

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