The Maze Runner
question
Who had it right?
J.D.
(last edited
Jul 23, 2015 08:23PM
)
Jul 23, 2015 07:59PM
Spoiler Alert.
I recently read where someone made the comparison between Maze Runner and Lord of the Flies. I'd have to agree that these two books have many similarities, both in theme and in premise. They part ways, however, in the different manner in which the boys chose to unite. In Maze Runner, the boys, not all of them mind you, end up working together, deciding to follow the protagonist on a quest to accomplish something that they feel will be good for the whole, refusing to give in to their more primal instincts for survival. Ultimately the message here is that humans are not just one disaster away from returning to the law of the jungle. This is quite the opposite with Lord of the Flies. In this case, the boys decide to give in to their fears and primal instincts, showing us that ultimately the civility of modern humans hangs by a thin thread, ready to snap off just as soon as its survival is in question. So who had it right? I leave that for you all to discuss.
I recently read where someone made the comparison between Maze Runner and Lord of the Flies. I'd have to agree that these two books have many similarities, both in theme and in premise. They part ways, however, in the different manner in which the boys chose to unite. In Maze Runner, the boys, not all of them mind you, end up working together, deciding to follow the protagonist on a quest to accomplish something that they feel will be good for the whole, refusing to give in to their more primal instincts for survival. Ultimately the message here is that humans are not just one disaster away from returning to the law of the jungle. This is quite the opposite with Lord of the Flies. In this case, the boys decide to give in to their fears and primal instincts, showing us that ultimately the civility of modern humans hangs by a thin thread, ready to snap off just as soon as its survival is in question. So who had it right? I leave that for you all to discuss.
reply
flag
I don't believe anyone can get it right or know until they're in the situation themselves. There's no telling what people might do, especially when you've got two different outcomes like the one's you have provided us with ^. I'm not sure how long the boys were on the island in LOTF, I think about 2 or 3 months, maybe not even that? And I find it hard to believe in that little time they could give in to insanity like that. However, I don't think there is any sure way of knowing. Same with TMR, we would LIKE to imagine they would work together and keep order, but who really knows?
View 1 comment
The kids in the Maze Runner had been in some sort of special school since they were really young. They were probably more in control of theirselves than most people (especially teens ;) Even if they didn't remember getting trained, they still had their same abilities, right? Whereas the kids in the LOTF were your average little dudes, minus the one half being in a ... boychoir gang. Most of them were younger, too.
The Lord of the Flies had it right because the boys were young and new to the world. They didn't have the time to grow up and to know what is expected from them. Society and common sense hasn't had a chance to influence them yet and tell them how to behave. So, the boys had to rely on their natural instincts to guide them in order to provide and create a community for themselves. And their instincts told them to save themselves and throw everyone else off the ship so that they won't sink.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
