Cover of The Maze Runner
    DystopianScience FictionYoung Adult

    The Maze Runner

    by Dashner, James
    “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious glade surrounded by an ever-shifting maze. With no memory of his past, he joins a group of similarly amnesiac boys known as the Gladers, who must navigate the deadly labyrinth to survive. The maze is patrolled by biomechanical creatures called Grievers, adding to the danger. As Thomas uncovers fragments of his identity, he learns they are part of a sinister experiment. Themes of survival, identity, and societal control drive the plot, culminating in a gripping struggle for freedom. The novel’s fast-paced action and intricate world-building make it a standout in young adult dystopian literature.

    In Chap­ter 14 of *The Maze Run­ner*, the Gladers car­ry out Ben’s ban­ish­ment for his attempt­ed mur­der of Thomas. Alby, the leader, solemn­ly fas­tens a leather col­lar around Ben’s neck, attach­ing it to a long pole while Ben pleads des­per­ate­ly for mer­cy. His cries are met with silence from the crowd, and Thomas feels a mix of guilt and anger as he watch­es the scene unfold. Alby’s stern demeanor and Ben’s piti­ful state cre­ate a tense atmos­phere, high­light­ing the harsh jus­tice of the Glade.

    The chap­ter delves into the rit­u­al­is­tic nature of the ban­ish­ment, with the Keep­ers, includ­ing Newt and Min­ho, tak­ing their posi­tions along the pole. Ben’s fran­tic pleas and sobs go unan­swered as the Gladers pre­pare to expel him into the Maze. Thomas strug­gles with con­flict­ing emo­tions, shift­ing from anger to sym­pa­thy as he ques­tions the fair­ness of Ben’s pun­ish­ment. The scene is charged with dread, empha­siz­ing the bru­tal con­se­quences of break­ing the Glade’s rules.

    As the East Door begins to close, the Keep­ers force Ben toward the Maze, ignor­ing his screams and strug­gles. The descrip­tion of Ben’s desperation—his thrash­ing, cries, and final attempts to resist—paints a har­row­ing pic­ture of his fate. Thomas, over­whelmed, tries to avoid wit­ness­ing the exe­cu­tion but is unable to escape the hor­ror. The clos­ing door sym­bol­izes the irre­versible nature of ban­ish­ment, seal­ing Ben’s doom.

    The chap­ter ends with Ben’s final, inhu­man screams as he is left out­side the Glade, his fate sealed by the clos­ing walls. Thomas, tears stream­ing down his face, is left to grap­ple with the trau­ma of what he has wit­nessed. The event under­scores the Glade’s mer­ci­less sur­vival code and leaves Thomas haunt­ed by his role in Ben’s pun­ish­ment, fore­shad­ow­ing deep­er con­flicts and moral dilem­mas to come.

    FAQs

    • 1. What is the punishment being carried out on Ben, and why was it deemed necessary by the Gladers?

      Answer:
      Ben is being banished from the Glade as punishment for attempting to murder Thomas. The sentence is carried out by attaching a leather collar around Ben’s neck connected to a long pole, which the Keepers use to push him into the Maze just before the doors close for the night. Alby explains that this harsh punishment is necessary to maintain order and survival in the Glade, stating, “If we let shanks like you get away with that stuff, we never would’ve survived this long.” The Gladers believe strict consequences are essential to deter violence and maintain their fragile society.

      2. How does Thomas’s emotional response to Ben’s banishment evolve throughout the chapter?

      Answer:
      Thomas experiences a rollercoaster of emotions during Ben’s banishment. Initially, he feels guilt and confusion as Ben pleads for mercy, with every word feeling “like a fist punching Thomas in the gut.” His guilt then turns to anger and blame, wishing for the ordeal to be over. However, as Ben’s desperation grows, Thomas begins to question the fairness of the punishment, wondering if something could be done to help Ben. By the end, he is overwhelmed with horror and sorrow, closing his eyes as tears trickle down his cheeks, showing his deep internal conflict about the brutality of the Glade’s justice system.

      3. Analyze the symbolism of the Banishment Pole and the closing Doors in this scene.

      Answer:
      The Banishment Pole and the closing Doors serve as powerful symbols of the Glade’s rigid structure and the finality of its punishments. The pole, a physical connection between Ben and his executioners, represents the collective enforcement of the Glade’s rules, with each Keeper participating in the act. The closing Doors symbolize the irreversible nature of banishment—once they shut, there is no return, much like the Gladers’ loss of humanity in carrying out such a brutal act. The scene’s imagery (sparks, rumbling, Ben’s screams) heightens the sense of dread, emphasizing the merciless reality of their survival-driven society.

      4. Why might the author have chosen to depict Ben’s transformation into a seemingly “alien” figure by the end of the chapter?

      Answer:
      Ben’s dehumanization—described as having “madness in his eyes” and resembling something “alien”—serves to highlight the psychological and physical toll of the Changing and the Glade’s harsh punishments. By stripping Ben of his humanity, the author underscores the brutality of his fate and the Gladers’ desensitization to violence. It also forces Thomas (and the reader) to confront the horror of their world, where fear and survival can reduce people to monstrous versions of themselves. This transformation makes Ben’s banishment even more unsettling, blurring the line between victim and monster.

      5. How does this chapter reinforce the theme of order vs. chaos in The Maze Runner?

      Answer:
      The chapter starkly contrasts the Gladers’ rigid system of order with the underlying chaos of their environment. The ritualistic banishment—complete with formal language (“Ben of the Builders”) and structured participation of the Keepers—shows their attempt to impose control. However, Ben’s frantic screams, the violent execution method, and Thomas’s emotional turmoil reveal the chaos simmering beneath the surface. The Gladers’ extreme measures to preserve order ultimately expose the fragility of their society, suggesting that their rules may be as destructive as the Maze itself. This tension drives the novel’s central conflict: whether their system is truly sustainable or inherently flawed.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Ben of the Builders, you’ve been sentenced to Banishment for the attempted murder of Thomas the Newbie. The Keepers have spoken, and their word ain’t changing. And you ain’t coming back. Ever.”

      This quote marks the pivotal moment of judgment in the chapter, showcasing the Gladers’ harsh justice system. Alby’s ceremonial declaration underscores the inflexible rules of their society and the severity of Ben’s punishment.

      2. “Every word from the kid was like a fist punching Thomas in the gut, making him feel more guilty and confused.”

      This line captures Thomas’s internal conflict as he wrestles with his role in Ben’s fate. It highlights the emotional weight of the situation and Thomas’s growing moral complexity.

      3. “Thomas couldn’t believe he was still looking upon a human being—the madness in Ben’s eyes, the phlegm flying from his mouth, the pale skin stretched taut across his veins and bones. He looked as alien as anything Thomas could imagine.”

      This visceral description represents the chapter’s climax, showing Ben’s complete dehumanization during his banishment. It emphasizes the horror of the Glade’s punishment system and its psychological impact on both victim and witnesses.

      4. “Thomas squeezed his eyes shut and was surprised to feel tears trickling down his cheeks.”

      The chapter’s closing line reveals Thomas’s unexpected emotional response, showing his developing empathy and the moral burden he carries. This moment foreshadows his growing resistance to the Glade’s harsh ways.

    Quotes

    1. “Ben of the Builders, you’ve been sentenced to Banishment for the attempted murder of Thomas the Newbie. The Keepers have spoken, and their word ain’t changing. And you ain’t coming back. Ever.”

    This quote marks the pivotal moment of judgment in the chapter, showcasing the Gladers’ harsh justice system. Alby’s ceremonial declaration underscores the inflexible rules of their society and the severity of Ben’s punishment.

    2. “Every word from the kid was like a fist punching Thomas in the gut, making him feel more guilty and confused.”

    This line captures Thomas’s internal conflict as he wrestles with his role in Ben’s fate. It highlights the emotional weight of the situation and Thomas’s growing moral complexity.

    3. “Thomas couldn’t believe he was still looking upon a human being—the madness in Ben’s eyes, the phlegm flying from his mouth, the pale skin stretched taut across his veins and bones. He looked as alien as anything Thomas could imagine.”

    This visceral description represents the chapter’s climax, showing Ben’s complete dehumanization during his banishment. It emphasizes the horror of the Glade’s punishment system and its psychological impact on both victim and witnesses.

    4. “Thomas squeezed his eyes shut and was surprised to feel tears trickling down his cheeks.”

    The chapter’s closing line reveals Thomas’s unexpected emotional response, showing his developing empathy and the moral burden he carries. This moment foreshadows his growing resistance to the Glade’s harsh ways.

    FAQs

    1. What is the punishment being carried out on Ben, and why was it deemed necessary by the Gladers?

    Answer:
    Ben is being banished from the Glade as punishment for attempting to murder Thomas. The sentence is carried out by attaching a leather collar around Ben’s neck connected to a long pole, which the Keepers use to push him into the Maze just before the doors close for the night. Alby explains that this harsh punishment is necessary to maintain order and survival in the Glade, stating, “If we let shanks like you get away with that stuff, we never would’ve survived this long.” The Gladers believe strict consequences are essential to deter violence and maintain their fragile society.

    2. How does Thomas’s emotional response to Ben’s banishment evolve throughout the chapter?

    Answer:
    Thomas experiences a rollercoaster of emotions during Ben’s banishment. Initially, he feels guilt and confusion as Ben pleads for mercy, with every word feeling “like a fist punching Thomas in the gut.” His guilt then turns to anger and blame, wishing for the ordeal to be over. However, as Ben’s desperation grows, Thomas begins to question the fairness of the punishment, wondering if something could be done to help Ben. By the end, he is overwhelmed with horror and sorrow, closing his eyes as tears trickle down his cheeks, showing his deep internal conflict about the brutality of the Glade’s justice system.

    3. Analyze the symbolism of the Banishment Pole and the closing Doors in this scene.

    Answer:
    The Banishment Pole and the closing Doors serve as powerful symbols of the Glade’s rigid structure and the finality of its punishments. The pole, a physical connection between Ben and his executioners, represents the collective enforcement of the Glade’s rules, with each Keeper participating in the act. The closing Doors symbolize the irreversible nature of banishment—once they shut, there is no return, much like the Gladers’ loss of humanity in carrying out such a brutal act. The scene’s imagery (sparks, rumbling, Ben’s screams) heightens the sense of dread, emphasizing the merciless reality of their survival-driven society.

    4. Why might the author have chosen to depict Ben’s transformation into a seemingly “alien” figure by the end of the chapter?

    Answer:
    Ben’s dehumanization—described as having “madness in his eyes” and resembling something “alien”—serves to highlight the psychological and physical toll of the Changing and the Glade’s harsh punishments. By stripping Ben of his humanity, the author underscores the brutality of his fate and the Gladers’ desensitization to violence. It also forces Thomas (and the reader) to confront the horror of their world, where fear and survival can reduce people to monstrous versions of themselves. This transformation makes Ben’s banishment even more unsettling, blurring the line between victim and monster.

    5. How does this chapter reinforce the theme of order vs. chaos in The Maze Runner?

    Answer:
    The chapter starkly contrasts the Gladers’ rigid system of order with the underlying chaos of their environment. The ritualistic banishment—complete with formal language (“Ben of the Builders”) and structured participation of the Keepers—shows their attempt to impose control. However, Ben’s frantic screams, the violent execution method, and Thomas’s emotional turmoil reveal the chaos simmering beneath the surface. The Gladers’ extreme measures to preserve order ultimately expose the fragility of their society, suggesting that their rules may be as destructive as the Maze itself. This tension drives the novel’s central conflict: whether their system is truly sustainable or inherently flawed.

    Note