the maze;
In the case of our story, the Maze serves as a physical representation of what it’s like to
be a teenager, and more specifically to be a teenager in the Glade. What makes this
Maze particularly difficult is that the walls are constantly changing overnight. In our
extended metaphor, this is like trying to follow a difficult path in life and then having the
rules you are following abruptly changed. This shows the problems and hardships that
show up suddenly.
By showing the Gladers how to view the Maze as a symbol, and by extracting the code,
Thomas ultimately shows them a new way of looking at life, and how things and events
can seem futile and chaotic at the outset, but if a different perspective is applied, chaos
can be transformed into order.
the glade;
The Maze also represents the trials and tribulations associated with adolescence. Like
the Maze, adolescence can appear chaotic and confusing to teenagers, filled with
wrong turns and regrettable choices. The Glade is symbolic of order and society, and
through hard work and observance of the Glade’s laws, the Gladers can participate in a
sense of self that ultimately offers them hope for the future. This hope for better days
outside of the Maze is symbolic of the hope that teenagers can make it through
adolescence.
the changing;
The act of getting stung by a Griever and going through the Changing is symbolic of
growing up. The Changing is also symbolic of a rite-of-passage, a transition to a
different outlook on life.
bY mArUsHkA
THE GRIEVERS 