An Analysis of Formulaic Structure in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner

Abstract

The Maze Runner is a novel written by James Dashner which was published in 2009. This research discusses the formula in The Maze Runner using formula theory by John G. Cawelti (1976) to finish this thesis. The formula in this novel is done by finding the narrative structure in the novel such as setting, plot and characterization as the standardization aspect based on Cawelti‟s theory formula. It helps to find out the uniqueness of this novel which makes it different from previous novels. This thesis is continued by finding the power domination through the novel as the escapism aspect based on Cawelti‟s theory formula. It also leads the concept of power domination as the main problem in this novel. This thesis is qualitative research where the data are not in the form of numbers but through the descriptive research. The data are divided into two types, primary and secondary data. The primary data are taken from The Maze Runner novel focusing on three elements of formulaic pattern. The secondary data are taken from books, journals, articles and website from internet which are related to power domination in USA. As a result, it can be concluded that The Maze Runner uses the popular pattern adventure and alien beings as the dominant pattern. The setting here using USA as the background of the story which the Maze is designed where the characters must pass many obstacles and monsters. Moreover, the Glade is the unique place which is created by the author as a safety place for the Gladers survive their life. The Maze Runner‟s novel follows adventure, alien beings as well as dystopian story where the heroes look for a freedom and against the monsters, Grievers as well as the power domination. However, the hero named Thomas was a part of the system who has domination. The second is about power domination in USA. It is related with the power domination in USA which appears in The Maze Runner‟s novel. It discusses that WICKED as the Creator control the Gladers using the satellite technology through the monsters, Grievers. This condition is relevant with the USA which creates the sattelite (GPS) named Navstar to control military and civilian for war and geographic information system, earthquake monitoring, vehicle tracking as well as for commercial purposes.