the messages revealed through thomas’ conflict in …

THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH THOMAS’

CONFLICT IN JAMES DASHNER’S THE MAZE RUNNER

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

DWIGO BIYAS TARIGAN

Student Number: 124214103

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2017

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ii



AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

DWIGO BIYAS TARIGAN

Student Number: 124214103

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2017


iii

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY

I certify that this undergraduate thesis contains no material which has been

previously submitted for the award of any other degree at any university, and that,

to the best of my knowledge, this undergraduate thesis contains no material

previously written by any other person except where due reference is made in the

text of the undergraduate thesis

Yogyakarta, February 5, 2017

Dwigo Biyas Tarigan


iv


v

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY

I certify that this undergraduate thesis contains no material which has been

previously submitted for the award of any other degree at any university, and that,

to the best of my knowledge, this undergraduate thesis contains no material

previously written by any other person except where due reference is made in the

text of the undergraduate thesis

Yogyakarta, February 5, 2017

Dwigo Biyas Tarigan


vi

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARTA ILMIAH

UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS

Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma

Nama : Dwigo Biyas Tarigan

Nomor Mahasiswa : 124214103

Dengan pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul



beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan

kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,

mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan

data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan meminta ijin kepada saya maupun

memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai

penulis.

Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.

Dibuat di Yogyakarta

Pada tanggal 5 Februari 2017

Yang menyatakan,

Dwigo Biyas Tarigan


vii


viii


ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to say thank to Jesus Christ for everything You

have given to me. I know that sometimes I forget to pray and questioned my faith,

but thank for loving me, unconditionally and giving me another day to start over

again.

My sincere gratitude goes to my lecturer, Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani, S.S.,

M.Hum and E. Arti Wulandari, Ph.D., who support and advise me throughout the

writing process of my undergraduate thesis with their patience, knowledge, and

critical mind.

Furthermore, I would like to thank my parents for always encourages me

to finish my thesis. I thank my dearest girlfriend, Gisela for always being by my

side through my hardest time. Then, I would say thank you to my parents J.A

Tarigan and Yenny I.S.P, who always support me every time. I also dedicate this

research to all my friends in the English Department, especially Amos, Antony,

Alex, Arum, Asmara, Baped, Deni, Dennis, Dida, Diony, Dryan, Ega, Endo,

Gatot, Halim, Ikhsan, Iqbal, Ino, Kaka, Kevin John, Lolo, Niko, Nopek, Nopen,

Odie, Penyik, Putra, Ranjang, Rany, Satrio, Satya, Shuko, Toto, Vito, Wisnu, and

Mother of Kopma for their spirit, support, motivation and endless friendship.

Dwigo Biyas Tarigan


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ........................................................................................................ ii

APPROVAL PAGE ............................................................................................. iii

ACCEPTANCE PAGE ......................................................................................... iv

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH .... v

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY .................................................................... vi

MOTTO PAGE ................................................................................................... vii

DEDICATION PAGE ....................................................................................... viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................. ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... x

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................... xi

ABSTRAK ........................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... 1

A. Background of the Study ............................................................................. 4

B. Problem Formulation ................................................................................... 4

C. Objectives of the Study ................................................................................ 4

D. Definition of Terms ...................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies ........................................................................... 6

B. Review of Related Theories ......................................................................... 8

C. Theoretical Framework .............................................................................. 12

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study .................................................................................... 13

B. Approach of the Study ............................................................................... 14

C. Method of the Study ................................................................................... 15

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS

A. The Characteristics of Thomas .................................................................. 17

B. The Conflicts Faced by Thomas ................................................................ 26

C. The Message as Revealed through the Thomas‘ Conflicts ........................ 36

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ........................................................................... 43

BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 45


xi

ABSTRACT

DWIGO BIYAS TARIGAN, The Message Revealed Through Thomas’

Conflict in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner. Yogyakarta: Department of

English Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2017.

The object of this study is a novel entitled The Maze Runner which is

written by James Dashner that tells about a group of people who lose their

memories except their names and inhabited the Maze. Every day, they must run

through the Maze outside the Glade, a place where they live.

The purposes of this study are first, identify the main character, Thomas;

second, identify the conflicts faced by Thomas; and third, showing the messages

as revealed through the conflicts faced by Thomas.

The writer uses New Criticism as the approach of the study to analyze this

novel. The writer also conducts some study about character and characterization,

conflicts, and message. Then, the writer applied the theories from those books into

the analysis to answer the problem formulations. Therefore, it can be said that the

method which is used in this study is library research.

The writer can reveal several possible messages from the conflicts faced

by the main character, Thomas. Thomas has four characteristics; they are curious,

smart, brave, and selfless. Then, those characteristics lead Thomas to survive from

the Grievers and find a way out from the Maze. Thomas‘ conflicts are divided into

two, internal and external conflicts. The internal conflict happens when Thomas

faces dilemma, whether he should help his friends or just stay inside the Glade.

Then, the writer divides the external conflicts into three conflicts. First, when

Thomas fights against the Grievers in order to survive inside the Maze. Second,

when Thomas and Alby have different opinion about their survival chance in the

Maze. Third, the conflict happens when Thomas‘ attitude annoys all of Gladers

and when he tries to persuade all of Gladers to follow him to find a way out the

Maze. The message that are revealed through the conflict of Thomas are: never

giving up with the difficult situations, daring to take a risk for our goal, and

sacrificing for something we want to achieve.


xii

ABSTRAK

DWIGO BIYAS TARIGAN, The Message Revealed Through Thomas’

Conflict in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner. Yogyakarta: Department of

English Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2017.

Objek dari studi ini adalah salah sebuah novel dari James Dashner

berjudul The Maze Runner yang menceritakan tentang sekelompok orang yang

hilang ingatan kecuali nama mereka dan lingkungan di sekitar Maze. Setiap hari,

mereka harus berlari untuk melewati Maze yang terletak diluar Glade, tempat

mereka tinggal.

Tujuan dari studi ini adalah satu, menjelaskan karakter utama, Thomas;

kedua, menjelaskan tentang konflik yang dihadapi oleh Thomas; dan ketiga,

menunjukkan pesan yang terungkap lewat konflik yang dihadapi oleh Thomas.

Penulis menggunakan New Criticism sebagai pendekatan untuk

menganalisa novel ini. Penulis juga melakukan beberapa studi tentang karakter

dan karakterisasi, konflik, dan pesan. Kemudian, penulisan mengaplikasikan teori

tersebut ke dalam analisis demi menjawab rumusan masalah. Oleh karena itu, bisa

dikatakan bahwa metode yang digunakan di studi ini adalah studi pustaka.

Penulis menyimpulkan bahwa novel ini dapat mengungkapkan beberapa

pesan dari konflik-konflik yang dihadapi oleh karakter, Thomas. Thomas

memiliki empat karakteristik, yaitu ingin tahu, pintar, berani, dan tidak

mementingkan diri sendiri. Kemudian, karakteristik tersebut menyebabkan

Thomas bisa bertahan hidup dari Grievers dan menemukan jalan keluar dari

Maze. Konflik yang dimiliki Thomas dibagi menjadi dua, internal dan eksternal

konflik. Konflik internal yang terjadi adalah ketika Thomas mengalami dilemma,

apakah dia akan menolong temannya atau tetap tinggal di dalam Glade.

Kemudian, penulis membagi konflik eksternal menjadi tiga konflik. Pertama,

ketika Thomas bertarung melawan Grievers demi bertahan hidup di dalam Maze.

Kedua, ketika Thomas dan Alby memiliki pendapat yang berbeda tentang

kesempatan bertahan hidup mereka. Ketiga, konflik terjadi ketika sikap Thomas

yang mengganggu para Glader dan ketika dia mencoba meyakinkan para Glader

untuk mengikuti dia demi menemukan jalan keluar dari Maze. Pesan yang

terungkap dari konflik yang dimiliki Thomas adalah: jangan menyerah dengan

situasi yang sulit, berani dalam mengambil resiko untuk mencapai tujuan kita, dan

berkorbanlah untuk sesuatu yang ingin kita raih.


1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Literature is a medium to express the imagination of human beings

through a work that can be appreciated by public in general. Most of authors

express their experiences, feelings and imaginations by making a literary work.

They can express those aspects and share it in literary works such as novel, prose,

poem, and song lyrics.

Sometimes, the literary work represents the reality of humans in their daily

lives. Wellek and Warren‘s Theory of Literature also said that literature is about

human‘s reflection about their feeling towards their life.

Literature is the reflection of human feeling toward his life. It is closely

related to human experience through which we can learn the image of

human beings that is expressed in the written way. It can also be defined

as the work of arts which represents human life (1956: 94).

This statement emphasizes that literature does not only has the function as a

medium to express human‘s life, but literature also can give a reflection or

introspection about human‘s life in order to have better life. Therefore, hopefully

humans can learn their mistakes and learn a lesson from it.

Another statement that is similar with the quotation above can be seen in

Marlies L. Danziger and W. Stacy Johnson in An Introduction to Literary

Criticism which states


2

Perhaps the oldest and most venerable way of describing literature as an

art is to regard it as a form of imitation. This defines literature in relation

to life, seeing it as a way of reproducing or recreating the experiences of

life in outline and color. (1961: 8)

It can be concluded from the statement above that there is a connection between

literature and real life. Literature and life have a close connection because

literature is the medium between life and work of art which is illustrated through

words or text.

From both quotations above, we can conclude that literature is not only

becoming a medium to express humans‘ experiences, feelings, and imaginations

but also becoming a bridge for humans‘ life. Then, literature can give a lesson,

reflection, moral value, etc in order to make them realize or aware of their life, so

that they can be prepared and anticipate every single thing which will happen in

the real life.

The Maze Runner is a great example of modern fiction novel that contains

several moral messages. Then, with message contained in the literary work, the

reader can enjoy reading the literary work and getting a better understanding

which author tries to give to the reader. Message also can make the readers

prepare their steps and also motivate them in order to face and also solve their

problems. The reason why the writer chooses The Maze Runner as the object of

this study is because he novel not only entertains the reader through word by word

or plot, but also it gives several moral messages which can become reflection to

the reader.


3

The Maze Runner tells about some people who live in a place called

Glade. The novel tells about the struggle of the people who live in the Glade.

They try to find out the reason why they are in the Glade because when they come

to the Glade, all of the characters lose all of their memories. However, the only

thing that they can remember is just their names.

This story also has some conflicts experienced by the main character

whose name is Thomas and also the other characters. Most of their conflicts are

happening when they have to make a decision whether they want to stay in the

Glade or to leave the Glade and to solve the Maze in order to find out the way

home. The rising of conflict starts when Thomas arrives in the Glade. Since

Thomas arrives in the Glade, he persuades all of people in the Glade to think

twice that they would stay safe in the Glade or try to solve the Maze outside the

Glade. It is because Thomas thinks that there must be a reason why all of them are

being sent in to the Glade and there must be a person behind all of this.

From the conflict in the story, there are several messages that the reader

can get and learn. Those become the reason why the writer chooses this novel as

the object of this paper because the messages of the story are reflecting human‘s

life. There are a lot of messages which are very suitable with this modern era even

though it is not the reality but just the author‘s imagination. This study will focus

on the messages which are revealed through Thomas‘ conflicts. Therefore, the

reader can get the messages which the author tries to give in this novel.


4

B. Problem Formulation

1. How is Thomas described in this story?

2. What are the conflicts faced by Thomas?

3. What are the messages revealed through Thomas' conflict in the story?

C. Objectives of the Study

The first objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of Thomas

in the story. The second objective is to find out the conflicts which are faced by

Thomas from the beginning until the end of story. The third objective is to find

out the messages which revealed through the conflicts faced by Thomas in Maze

Runner story.

D. Definition of Terms

In order to avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding about the meaning of

the terms, the writer uses the following definitions to help the reader to understand

this study.

1. Character

Characters are the persons represented in a dramatic or narrative work,

who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with particular moral,

intellectual, and emotional qualities by inferences from what the persons

say and their distinctive ways of saying it and from what they do (Abrams,

1999: 32).

2. Conflicts

According to Holman and Harmon in their book A Handbook to

Literature, conflict is

The struggle that grows out of the interplay of the two opposing forces in

the plot. Conflict may be an argument between opposing forces, like man

against man, nature, fate, society or perhaps the internal one between the

two opposing parts of man‘s personality (1986: 107).


5

3. Messages

Messages, according to Beaty and Hunter in New Worlds of Literature, is

defined as the real meaning or some easy conclusion that can be simply stated or

summarized inside a work of art (1989: 899).


6

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies

In this study, the writer summarizes some papers which are related to this

study. The first study is The Messages as Revealed by the Characters’ Series of

Tragedy in Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

written by Natasha Godeliva (2011) from Sanata Dharma University. She explains

that

It is important for any works of literature, especially novel to communicate

the messages that are intended by the author, so that the reader can

understand what is intended and gain some good points and better

perspective in their life. (Godeliva, 2011: 17).

In Godeliva‘s undergraduate thesis, she has three purposes in writing her thesis.

First, she wants to find the children‘s characters and characterizations. Second,

she wants to describe the tragedy which happens in the story. Third, she wants to

know the moral message which is revealed by the characters.

It is the same with this study which also wants to find the messages of the

story. However, the difference of this study to Godeliva‘s is that this study is more

focusing on theory of conflict in order to find out the message inside of the story.

The writer also found another thesis from Sanata Dharma University

entitled The Messages Revealed Through Hasari Pal and His Conflicts in

Dominique Lapierre’s the City of Joy by Agustinus Damar Priyanugraha. He

explains that


7

Message in a story is intended as suggestion related to practical lesson that

can be taken by the readers through the story. They are closely related to

the problems in life, such as attitude, and behavior. The readers can find

them in a real life, in the same manners as they are reflected on the story

through its characters. (Priyanugraha, 2013: 13)

Another explanation from him is that

The message is distributed through those various ways. By contrast, if the

readers want to understand or interpret the message, they should do it

based on the story and the character‘s life. (Priyanugraha, 2013:13)

The previous study has similarities with this study which discusses about

messages. Priyanugraha also wants to find out the messages of the story from

Hasari Pal‘s characterization and also his conflict. Even though the approaches of

the studies are the same, it differs with this study because this study uses The

Maze Runner as the object of the study.

The other thesis is from Chintia Arlita Eka Wijaya entitiled The Messages

Revealed Through the Way the Main Characters Solve the Conflicts in Anne

Schraff’s Lost and Found

Message in literary work can be taken from the way the main character

solve the conflicts. Message can be taken when the readers interpret the

conflicts in the story. (Wijaya, 2015:21)

The study above also has similarities with this study which also discusses about

messages. Wijaya wants to find out the message through the way main characters

solve the conflicts. Then, the message can be revealed when all of their conflicts

have been solved.

However, it is different with this study because this study does not concern

on whether Thomas solves his conflicts or not, but on the way he develops his

mind when he faces his conflicts are the messages that the writer wants to express.


8

B. Review of Related Theories

1. Theory of Character and Characterization

According to Abrams‘ A Glossary of Literary Terms

Characters are the persons characterized in a story, who are interpreted by

the reader as being gifted with specific moral, intellectual, and emotional

qualities by inferences from characters‘ conversation and their distinctive

ways of saying it and from what they do (Abrams, 1999:32).

In order to have a clear explanation in the analysis, the writer provides the

details about characterization theory by M.J Murphy in his book Understanding

the Unseen (1972:161-173).

a. Personal description

The author can describe a character‘s appearance like the face, body, or

the outfits of the character. The personal description is very important because

each character has specific appearance in the novel or play.

b. Character as seen by another

The author can describe a character through another person‘s eyes and

opinions. What people in the story think about certain people will help the reader

to understand more about the character.

c. Speech

The author can give some clues or insights to the characters through what

the character says. Whenever the character is in conversation with another

character and gives an opinion, the author is giving us some clues about the

characteristic of the character.


9

d. Past life

By permitting the readers learn something about people past life, the

author can give some clues to the events that will help the readers to

understand the character better.

e. Conversation of others

The author can also give the reader some clues to a person‘s character

through what other character say about the character in the story.

f. Reaction

The author can also give the readers some clues to a person‘s character by

giving the readers the way the character react to certain situation or condition.

g. Direct comment

The author can give the readers direct knowledge of what a person is

thinking about, what is the person‘s mind and he feels reflect his character.

h. Thought

The author gives the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking

about. He is able to tell the readers various thoughts that are experienced by

different people. In other words, the author gives the reader a privilege to know

them in most thoughts of the character in the novel.

i. Mannerism

The author can describe a person‘s mannerism, or habits which are may

also tell us something about the character. The habits or the attitude that the

persons has are also the clue in observing the character closely.


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2. Theory of Conflict

According to Holman and Harmon in A Handbook to Literature, conflict is

the struggle that grows out of the interplay of the two opposing focus in the plot

(1986: 107). They also state that conflicts may occur in various situations as

described below.

a. A struggle against nature

It presents the character‘s struggle when they deal with the natural forces

such as hurricane, flood, storm, earthquake, tornado, landslide and etc.

b. A struggle against another person

It presents the character‘s struggle when they deal with another character.

c. A struggle against society

It presents the character‘s struggle when they deal with a society‘s value

systems.

d. A struggle against fate or destiny

It presents the character‘s struggle when they deal with their creator, God.

It shows the struggle of the character when they try to change their own fate or

destiny.

Stanton in An Introduction to Fiction divides conflict in to two, internal

and external conflict.

a. Internal Conflict

This kind of conflict is identified by the term Man vs. Himself. It takes

place inside the protagonist, meaning that he/she is arguing with himself/herself.


11

He spends the entire story arguing with himself about what to do before

something finally happens that forces him to make a decision.

b. External Conflict

This conflict is happens when the protagonist has trouble and conflict

against the others characters. The protagonist is opposed by another character.

Frequently he fights with a single person or more than one (1965: 16).

3. Theory of Message

An Introduction to the Study of Literature book which was written by

Henry Hudson states that a good message is a message that discloses new a large

possibility they do not realize, most writers would try to tell and to show those

possibilities by using their work. A good messages does not tend to follow general

pattern or norm but it creates new pattern based on human values (1958: 23)

According to Beaty and Hunter, in their book New Worlds of Literature, a

message is defined as the real meaning or some easy conclusion that can be

simply stated or summarized inside a work of art (1989: 899). Therefore, message

can be said as the whole idea of the work of art.

The other theory of message comes from Sinclair which said that:

Messages is something important in the story, message can evaluate us for

better life. Message is defined as an idea that someone tries to

communicate to people. It is also the meaning, thought or idea that is

intended to express (Sinclair, 1956: 490).

From the quotation above, message can be defined as a tool for the reader

to understand about the meaning of life. It makes the reader to appreciate life

because life only comes once and it will be not repeated again. Therefore, it

makes us a better person who can solve problems wisely.


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C. Theoretical Framework

The topic that the writer wants to discuss in this study is the messages that

are reflected through the conflict faced by Thomas in The Maze Runner. The

theories mentioned above are used as guidance in answering the questions given

in the problem formulation.

Theories of character and characterization are used to answer the first

question, to examine the character of Thomas, the main character of the story. It is

important because the writer needs to know the characteristic of Thomas firstly

before the writer examines his conflict in the story.

The theories of conflict are used to answer the second question. Theory of

conflict helps the writer in order to see which conflicts are faced by Thomas in the

story. This theory is also used to support what Thomas description is.

Another theory that is needed to analyze this novel is theory of message.

Theory of message is needed to reveal the message through the character of

Thomas. The writer can identify the lesson through the character of Thomas and

his conflicts. Then, the writer will be able to see the lesson given by Thomas to

become the messages of this story.


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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Object of the Study

The writer analyzes James Dashner‘s novel entitled The Maze Runner. The

book The Maze Runner consists of 375 pages and it was first published in October

6th

2009 by Delacorte Press.

James Dashner is the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze

Runner series, as well as the Mortality Doctrine series, the 13th

Reality series, and

two books in the Infinity Ring series: A Mutiny in Time and The Iron Empire. He

was born and raised in Georgia, but now lives and writes in Rocky Mountains.

There are three major groups of characters in the book of The Maze

Runner; they are Gladers, including Thomas, the main character, Grievers, and

Creators. Gladers are a group of people who lives in Glade which is a wall

enclosed area surrounded by a Maze that changes at night. Inside the Maze, there

are full of horrific creatures known as Grievers. All of Gladers are a part of

Creators‘ experiments to help and save humanity from the Flare. Grievers are a

creature that lives in the Maze and comes out after dark. Its purpose is to harass

and even kill the Gladers who venture into the Maze. Then, Creators are a group

of WICKED (World In Catastrophe Killzone Experiment Department)

organization who create and control all of things including the Glade and its

system, Maze, and Grievers. They are also responsible for putting the Gladers in

the Glade.


14

The Maze Runner tells about Gladers who lose their memories except their

names and inhabited the Maze. However, at the end they know that their names

taken from important people‘s name. For example, Thomas comes from Thomas

Alva Edison, Gally comes from Galileo Galilei, Teresa comes from Mother

Teresa and so on.

Every day, they must run through the Maze outside the Glade, a place

where they live. They are not just running, it is their way to survive because by

running they hope to find a way out of that cursed place. However, the trajectory

of the Maze always changes every day, it means that it seems impossible to get

out of that place.

One day, the protective stone door is no longer shut down, it means that

the creatures named Griever can go in anytime. Every day, one boy is taken away

and disappear. Thomas, one of the Gladers, think that he must solve the Maze to

save himself and the other Gladers. However, it is not easy to escape from the

Maze because there are some Grievers which can kill all of them. Although it is

dangerous to leave the Glade, they must take risks in order to change their life.

B. Approach of the Study

In this study, the writer chooses the new criticism with the intention of

analyzing James Dashner‘s The Maze Runner because it is appropriate for this

study. The reason why the writer chooses new criticism is because this approach

mainly examines the literary work itself. It describes the literary work as an

independent work and it means that the reader is not necessary to connect the

literary work to the other aspects.


15

In order to give evidence for the statement which has been mentioned

above, the writer provides some quotation from experts. Wilfred L Guerin in his

book A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature states that a new criticism

approach concentrates on the literary work itself (1979:20). From the quotation

above, new criticism delivers the analysis based on the text itself.

Selden, Widdowson and Brooker in A Reader’s Guide to Contemporary

Literary Theory states that new criticism is a method which does not talk about

context – historical, biographical, intellectual and so on in analyzing literary work.

However, new criticism only focuses on analyzing the ―text in itself‖, with its

language and organization. New criticism does not reach text‘s meaning but the

way the text ‗speaks itself‘ (2005:19).

Then, it emphasizes that new criticism is not affected by the other

elements from outside the novel. Therefore, the writer believes that this approach

is the most suitable approach in order to help the writer to analyzing this study.

C. Method of the Study

This study uses library research method in order to analyzing this study.

The primary source is the James Dashner‘s The Maze Runner. The second sources

are taken from some articles, books, internet and journals. The writer also uses

some studies on the novels and internet references in order to provide additional

data

In analyzing this kind of literary work, the writer applies five steps. The

first step is the writer begins to read the novel The Maze Runner by James

Dashner and try to understand well about the story. Second, the writer decides the


16

topic that is going to be discussed and make the problem formulation which

discusses about character and characterization, conflict and message. Third, the

writer needs to understand the conflicts before analyzes what the messages that

the reader can get from the story.

Fourth, the writer decides the suitable approach for this study and also

collects sources and references from book and internet in order to support the

evidences or arguments when analyzes the story. Fifth, the writer analyzes the

conflicts which faced by Thomas and the possible messages through the character

of Thomas and his conflicts. The last step, the writer makes conclusion based on

the entire analysis in this study.


17

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

This chapter consists of the analysis of the literary work in order to answer

the problems formulated. The analysis is divided into three parts. First, the writer

explains the description of Thomas in the story. Second, the writer explains about

the conflicts faced by Thomas in the story. Finally, after knowing the description

of Thomas and also his conflicts, the writer explains the message which can be

acquired from the story. However, the writer only focuses on the message which

revealed through the conflicts faced by the character of Thomas.

A. The Characteristics of Thomas

Thomas is one of the characters in the story. He is the one of the Gladers

who lives inside the Glade. The Glade is the area in the center of the Maze that

functions as a living place for all of people called Gladers. The Glade has four

large Walls that encase it and separate it from the Maze. Each wall has an opening

in its center called the Door that closes every night and re-opens every morning.

Outside the Glade lies the Maze with many twisting and turning paths which

always changes. Thomas is probably sixteen years old as has been mentioned by

Chuck, the first Glader who becomes friend with Thomas.

The boy scanned him up and down. ―I‘d say you‘re sixteen. And in case

you were wondering, five foot nine…brown hair. Oh, and ugly as fried

liver on a stick.‖ He snorted a laugh (Dashner, 2009: 15).

The writer can understand Thomas description from another character

conversation. Through Chuck‘s conversation with Thomas, it is seen that Thomas

is a young boy. Then, sometimes other Gladers call him Greenie, it is because he


18

is a newcomer in the Glade before the woman Glader, Teresa, arrives. The other

characteristics which can be seen from Thomas are curious, smart, brave, and

selfless. Those characteristics are explained in the next section.

1. Curious

According to Hornby in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current

English, the meaning of curious is having a strong desire to know about

something (2007: 286).

Thomas can be considered as a curious person because he always has a lot

of questions in his mind. He always asks some questions to everyone in the Glade

and being curious about the something that makes him confused.

Because of his curiosity, Thomas often interrupts when someone

explaining or answering his question. It happens when Thomas comes in the

Glade for the first time. Thomas looks confused and questions why he could be in

the Glade. Then, he asks Alby who is the leader in the Glade. Alby becomes the

leader in Glade because everybody believes that he is the oldest person.

Alby spread his arms out, palms up. ―This place is called the Glade, all

right? It‘s where we live, where we eat, where we sleep-we call ourselves

the Gladers. That‘s all you-― (Dashner, 2009: 9).

From the quotation above, it can be seen that Alby tries to explain about the Glade

to Thomas. However, Thomas‘ curiosity forced him to interrupt Alby‘s

explanation.

―Who sent me here?‖ Thomas demanded, fear finally giving way to anger.

―How‘d-― (Dashner, 2009:9).

Consequently, Alby gets mad because Thomas interrupts him. However, Thomas

still does not care about it


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―No interruptions, boy!‖ Alby shouted. ―Whacker, if we told you

everything, you‘d die on the spot, right after you klunked your pants.

Bagger‘sd drag you off, and you ain‘t no good to us then, are ya?

―I don‘t even know what you‘re talking about,‖ Thomas said slowly,

shocked at how steady his voice sounded (Dashner, 2009: 10).

From the quotation above, it can be seen that his curious characteristic can

be seen through his manner. Thomas‘ habit or attitude shows that he is very

curious about the reason why he can be inside the Glade. He feels scared and

confused because, he does not have any background knowledge and experiences

being inside the Glade. However, he pushes himself to ask for explanation and

hopefully can find the answers even though he still feels scared and confused.

Another fact that strengthens the idea that Thomas is a curious person is

when he meets Minho for the first time. Minho is the Keeper of the Runners,

whose job is entering the Maze every morning, mapping it, memorizing and trying

to find a way out. Minho comes back to the Glade after he does his job which

becomes the Maze runner. At that time, Thomas looks confused when Minho

laughed about Thomas‘ statement that Alby is their leader.

Thomas didn‘t know what to make of the conversation—it was hard to tell

when Minho was joking. ―So who is the leader if he isn‘t?‖ (Dashner,

2009: 81).

Once again, Thomas‘ curiosity is really annoying for people like Minho. After

that, Minho said

―Greenie, just shut it before you confuse yourself more.‖ Sighed as if

bored, then muttered, almost to himself, ―Why do you shanks always come

in here asking stupid questions? It‘s really annoying‖ (Dashner, 2009: 81).


20

Then, after they have a little conversation with each other, Thomas‘ curiosity

appears again as can be seen when Thomas asks Minho about what Minho finds

while he enters the Maze.

After a long pause, Thomas decided to take a chance. ―So…,‖ he asked

cautiously, ―did you find anything today?‖

Minho‘s eyes opened wide; he focused on Thomas. ―You know what,

Greenie?‖ That‘s usually dumbest shuck-faced thing you could ask a

Runner.‖ He closed his again. ―But not today‖ (Dashner, 2009: 83).

Thomas who looks not satisfied asks Minho once more with the hope that Minho

will give him an answer

―What do you mean?‖ Thomas dared to hope information. An answer, he

thought. Please just give me an answer! (Dashner, 2009: 83)

Based on Thomas‘ conversation with Minho, it can be seen that he always

wants to know every single thing that has been told by Minho. He forces Minho to

answer his questions even though Minho annoyed about it.

2. Smart

Thomas is a smart person. His intelligence is shown in the way he deals

with his problem during the story. According to Hornby, the meaning of smart is

the same with the meaning of intelligent. Intelligent means good at learning,

understanding and thinking in logical way about things; showing this ability

(2007: 1119).

When Thomas comes to the Glade at the first time, he does not have

background knowledge and experience about the Glade itself. Thomas does not

know anything at all because all of his memories have been wiped. However,

Thomas surprises all of the Gladers when he decides to enter the Maze and


21

successfully saves Alby and Minho. It is really surprising because nobody can

survive inside the Maze in the night.

He thought of the wall, the ivy. Minho hadn‘t explained, but he had made

it sound as if climbing the walls was impossible. Still…

A plan formed in his mind. It all depended on the unknown abilities of the

Grievers, but it was the best thing he could come up with (Dashner, 2009:

121).

Thomas‘s thought in the novel is enough to shows that he is a smart

person. Thomas does not have any background knowledge and experience about

the Maze, but he can quickly find a solution to survive inside the Maze. While he

is trapped in the Maze, he uses vines to tie Alby off the ground. Thomas quickly

thinks a plan, so that it can prevent his friend from being taken away and killed by

the Grievers. A Griever is a creature that lives in the Maze and comes out after

dark. Its purpose is to harass and even kill the Gladers who venture into the Maze.

Then, in order to avoid from the Grievers, he uses the resources around him. He

uses vine of ivy to hung Alby and himself, so that the Grievers cannot see them.

He does not let the unfamiliarity of being in the Maze for the first time disturbs

his intention to save his friends.

Even though his idea fails because the Grievers can climb the wall, he

does not give up. He then comes face to face with three more Grievers. Thomas‘

quick-thinking works once more, he makes a dive maneuver move to avoid the

Grievers. After Minho sees what Thomas do, he gets an idea to make the Grievers

go away from them.

As they rounded the next corner, Minho attempted to speak. Between

heaving breaths, he gasped, ―I just saw… the dive move you did… back

there… gave me an idea… we only have to last… a little while longer

(Dashner, 2009:135).


22

Thomas still runs with Minho even though he does not know what the idea was.

Minho said that he must go to the Cliff as fast as possible. Minho still does not

explain what the idea is and it makes Thomas feels confused and wonder why

they should go to the Cliff. Suddenly he remembered about the Cliff because

Minho said the word, then he already know what is Minho‘s idea

Thomas remembered hearing the word Cliff before, but couldn‘t place it at

the moment. Seeing the vast, open sky in front of and below him had put

him into some kind of hypnotized stupor. He shook himself back to reality

and turned to face the oncoming Grievers. They were now only dozens of

yards away, single file, charging in with a vengeance, moving surprisingly

fast.

Everything clicked, then, even before Minho explained what they were

going to do (Dashner, 2009: 137).

This idea shows that Thomas is a smart person because he can think quickly about

the idea to escape from the Grievers. It helps Thomas make a new way to escape

from the Grievers in a short time even though he does not know about the

Grievers very well. The quick-thinking allows him to perform this clever

maneuver. Thomas tricks a Griever into the Cliff by running at it and diving at the

last second, so that it has too much momentum to stop.

3. Brave

Thomas can be considered as a brave person because Thomas dares to risk

his life. His bravery is shown in the way he save their friends. According to

Hornby, the meaning of brave is willing to do things which are difficult,

dangerous or painful; not afraid (Hornby, 2007: 133).

Thomas is just a newcomer who enters the Glade for the first time and he

does not know anything about it. The evidence is that Thomas has no memory of


23

the past it means that he has lack of survival knowledge. Regardless of his

unfamiliarity with the people and the environment, Thomas shows that he is brave

enough to become a Runner even though he does not know about his surrounding

Thomas stood and started folding up his sleeping gear. ―Newt, I mean it. I

can‘t pull weeds all day—I‘ll go nnuts. I don‘t have a clue what I did

before they shipped me here in that metal box, but my gut tells me that

being a Runner is what I‘m supposed to do. I can do it (Dashner, 2009:

101).

The other evidence also can be seen from the way he reacts to certain

condition or situation. The situation is when Thomas sees Alby and Minho in their

way to Glade. Alby is injured and not able go back in time, before the walls close

for the night. However, he remains hesitant whether he decides to help them or

just stays inside the Glade.

He knew he should run into the Maze and help, but the rule about not

leaving the Glade was seared into his mind (Dashner, 2009:111).

Thomas feels confused to make the decision. If he enters the Maze he will

break one of the major rules, that all of the Gladers are not allowed to step out of

the Glade, unless the person is a Maze runner.

You think I sent Newt to ya before the wake-up just for kicks? Freak,

that‘s the Number One Rule, the only one you‘ll never be forgiven for

breaking. Ain‘t nobody—nobody—allowed in the Maze except Runners.

Break that rule, and if you ain‘t killed by the Grievers, we‘ll kill you

ourselves, you got me? (Dashner, 2009: 46)

The quotation shows that Thomas is a brave person. He has the courage to

enter the Maze without worrying about the consequence if he breaks the rule.

Without hesitating, he runs out into the Maze to help Alby and Minho even

though he knows that no one has ever survived a night in the Maze, he might be

killed by the Grievers. He accepts the consequence and then enters the Maze and


24

saves his friends. He also risks his life to save Alby and Minho even though he

does not know them very well.

Another fact that strengthens the idea that Thomas is a brave person can be

seen when he saves Dave. Dave is also a Glader, but he never has a conversation

with Thomas.

The Griever holding Dave—a kid Thomas had never spoken to—was

rolling along on its spikes toward the West Door, churching and whirring.

The other Grievers had already gathered in the courtyard and followed

their companion toward the Maze. Without hesitating knowing the others

would think he was trying to commit suicide, Thomas sprinted in their

direction until he found himself in the middle of the pack of creatures.

Having been taken by surprise, the Grievers hesitated (Dashner,

2009:294).

Thomas surprises the Gladers once more with his decision to save Dave. Through

his reaction to saves Dave from the Grievers, it shows that Thomas is a brave

person. Based on the quotation above, it can be seen that Thomas does not know

about Dave very well. He is willing to risk his life in order to save Dave even

though Thomas never speaks with him.

4. Selfless

Selfless characteristic of Thomas can be seen when he wants to get stung

by the Grievers in order to get his memories back and also find out a way to exit

the Maze. According to Hornby, the meaning of selfless is thinking more of the

needs and welfare of others than of one‘s own (Hornby, 2007: 1066). In the story,

nobody wants to get stung by the Grievers because they still want to be alive.

However, Thomas acts differently from the others because he sacrifices himself to


25

save Dave from the Grievers in purpose the hope of that he could be stung by the

Grievers.

Three of the Grievers swarmed on him at once, their long pincers and

claspers and needles flying in from all directions. Thomas flailed his arms

and legs, knocking away the horrible metallic arms as he kicked at the

pulsating blubber of the Grievers‘ bodies—he only wanted to be stung, not

take like Dave. Their relentless attack intensified, and Thomas felt pain

erupt over every inch of his body—needle pricks that told him he‘d

succeeded. Screaming, he kicked an pushed and thrashed, throwing his

body in a roll, trying to get away from them. Struggling, bursting with

adrenaline, he finally found an open spot to get his feet under him and ran

with all his power (Dashner, 2007: 295).

Thomas does not care about his own, he is willing to endure extreme pain. Even

though he already knows the consequence, he still accepts the possibility of going

insane, like some of the previous kids who got stung.

Another situation to prove Thomas‘ selfless characteristic can be seen

when Thomas has an idea to escape from the Maze. After Thomas has been stung

by the Grievers and been cured, he told all of the Gladers that they should go to

Grievers hole. Thomas believes that inside Grievers hole there is a computer and

if they could enter the code which they get previously to the computer and they

might be able to open the door and exit the Maze. However, nobody wants to go

inside the Grievers hole because it might be really dangerous and they could be

killed by the Grievers. Then, Thomas shows his selfless characteristic by

volunteering himself in order to go inside the Grievers hole.

The room went silent until the Blood House Keeper barker a loud laugh.

―Excuse me?‖ Winston asked. ―So your suggestion is that we throw some

poor kid to the wolves so the rest of us can escape? This is your brilliant

suggestion?‖

Thomas refused to admit how bad the sounded, but an idea hit him. ―Yes,

Winston, I‘m glad you‘re so good at paying attention.‖ He ignored the

glare that got him. ―And it seems obvious who the poor kid should be.‖


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―Oh, yeah?‖ Winston asked. ―Who?‖

Thomas folded his arms. ―Me‖ (Dashner, 2009:314).

All of the Gladers think that Thomas‘ decision of sacrifice himself to enter the

Grievers hole is a stupid idea. As a normal people, it is common that nobody

wants to put himself or herself into a dangerous situation especially enter the

Griever hole. However, Thomas shows different thing in this story.

But it didn‘t matter what Newt said. What anyone said. Thomas bore the

responsibility anyway—and it was growing heavier the more he thought

about it. ―I just … feel like I need to save everyone. To redeem myself‖

(Dashner, 2007: 316).

Thomas feels that it is his fault because he helps the Creator design the Maze, so

that he is willing to enter to Grievers Hole. He wants to save everybody and exit

the Maze so that they could return to their family.

All of quotations above show his selfless characteristic because he is

willing to risk his life, so that all of the Gladers could exit the Maze safely. He

does not care about his own safety.

B. The Conflicts Faced by Thomas

In this part, the writer finds the conflicts happens by the main character,

Thomas. Then, the writer also describes each conflict in details.

1. Thomas’ Internal Conflict

Internal conflict based on Stanton in An Introduction to Fiction is defined

as kind of conflict which identified by term Man vs. Himself. It takes place inside

the character, meaning that he or she is arguing with himself or herself. He spends

the entire day arguing with himself about what to do before something finally

happens that forces him to make decision (1992:16).


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Thomas‘s internal conflict happened when he faces a dilemma in the

beginning of the story. He struggles to decide whether he must save his friends or

just stay inside the Glade. He sees Alby and Minho are turning back into the

Glade, but they do not have chance of making in time to turn back to the Glade.

He knows that he should help them, but it is forbidden for him to enter the Maze

in order to save them.

Thomas was so stunned by the turn of the events, it took a moment for him

to act. ―Newt!‖ he finally screamed, forcing his gaze away from Minho

and Alby to face the other direction. ―They‘re coming! I can see ‗em!‖ He

knew he should run into the Maze and help, but the rule about not leaving

the Glade was seared into his mind (Dashner, 2009: 111).

The situation makes Thomas‘ mind struggles greatly. As a selfless person,

the first thought which comes up through his mind is that he should help his

friends without worrying about the consequence. Thomas wants to help them even

though he does not know them very well because he is a newcomer in the Glade.

However, his mind struggles greatly because his heart really wants to help them,

but he also thinks about the rule of the Glade. As a newcomer, it is really hard for

Thomas to make those decisions. It is really dangerous if he dares to risk his life

to enter the Maze. Thomas gambles too much with his decision to enter the Maze,

because he does not have any strong plan to save his friends.

Another reason why he holds his urge to help Alby and Minho is because

Newt says that everybody must not enter the Maze no matter what happens. It is

because everybody already swore an oath to not enter the Maze except the person

who was already chosen by a Keeper.

Newt‘s face softened. ―You don‘t get it yet, Tommy. Going out there at

night is beggin‘ for death. We‘d just be throwin‘ more lives away. If those

shanks don‘t make it back…‖ He paused, seeming hesitant to say what


28

everyone was thinking. ―Both of ‗em swore an oath, just like I did. Like

we all did. You, too, when you go to your first Gathering and get chosen

by a Keeper. Never go out at night. No matter what. Never‖ (Dashner,

2009: 110).

It seems that Newt‘s statement makes Thomas really scared about going to the

Maze at night. Then, Chuck also emphasizes that what Newt said is true. It can be

seen from the quotation below.

―Newt won‘t say it,‖ the boy said, ―so I will. If they‘re not back, it means

they‘re dead. Minho‘s too smart to get lost. Impossible. They‘re dead‖

(Dashner, 2009:110).

By hearing the statement which is said by Newt and Chuck makes the situation

become so grave. Thomas does not know how to react and he feels a pit of

emptiness in his heart. Newt and Chuck always remind Thomas that it is

forbidden for him to enter the Maze and it affects Thomas to think twice to help

Alby and Minho. However, his selfless and brave characteristics lead him to

decide to save Alby and Minho. Therefore, Thomas‘ bravery and selfless

characteristics are important in order to make decision.

Then, it can be said that Thomas‘ internal conflict happens when he

struggles with his own mind to make a choice between two paths. The conflict

happens because he struggles to make decision whether he should obey the rule or

fight his fear of the rule about not leaving the Glade, so that he can enter the Maze

to help Alby and Minho. The situation forces Thomas to make decision, and in the

end he makes the decision to enter the Maze to save Alby and Minho.

2. Thomas’ External Conflict

According to Holman and Harmon in A Handbook to Literature, conflict is

the struggle that grows out of the interplay of the two opposing focus in the plot.


29

They also state that conflicts may occur in the struggle against nature, against

another person, against society, and the struggle for misery. Conflicts may be an

argument between opposing forces, like man against man, man against nature,

man against fate or perhaps an internal one between the two opposing parts of

man‘s personality (1986: 107).

a. Thomas conflicts against Grievers

Thomas faces several external conflicts in the story. The first conflict

happens between Thomas and the Grievers. It happens because Thomas, Alby

and, Minho enter the Maze. Then, the Grievers attack them and try to kill them

because the Creator makes the Grievers with purposes to harass and even kill the

Gladers who venture into the Maze. Each of Gladers have their own purposes why

they enter the Maze as well as Thomas, Alby, and Minho. The Gladers enter the

Maze to gather some information or find a way so that they can escape from the

Maze. However, the Grievers prevent the Gladers from escaping the Maze. The

main purpose why the Creator make the Grievers and put them inside the Maze is

that the Creator wants to test the Gladers who can deal with the most severe

challenge and escape so that the Creator can study their genes and brain activity.

Thomas meets the Griever for the first time when he decides to enter the

Maze in order to save Alby and Minho. They enter the Maze because in the

previous day Minho see a Griever dies inside it. Thomas runs into the Maze

before the door closed because he knows that they do not have enough time to go

back into the Glade. However, after Thomas enters the Maze, Minho run away

and leaves Alby who is injured behind with Thomas. Thomas struggles to help


30

Alby and to escape from the Grievers, but in the end he realizes that he must fight

the Grievers so that he can bring Alby and Minho back to the Glade.

When, Thomas hears the Griever‘s noise grows louder, he quickly thinks

that he should quit wasting time waiting for them to come and end his life. He

should survive and bring Alby and Minho back to the Glade. He hangs Alby on

the wall with a purpose that the Griever would not find him. Unfortunately, the

Grievers can see them and the Griever can climb the wall. Then, he knows the

only option left is running to distract Griever‘s attention, so the Griever will not

come to Alby.

He knew the only option left was to run. I’m sorry, Alby, he thought as he

unraveled the the thick vine from his chest. Using left hand to hold tight to

the foliage above him, he finished unwrapping himself and prepared to

move. He knew he couldn‘t go up—that would bring the Griever across

the path of Alby. Down, of course, was only an option if he wanted to die

as quickly as possible (Dashner, 2009: 130).

Thomas still runs to avoid the Grievers which are chasing him. Sadly, when he

turns to the junction he meets three Grievers waiting in front him. Thomas‘ quick-

thinking leads him to make a decision that it is better to turning back to the

previous Griever rather than fight the three Grievers in front of him. Once again,

his quick-thinking works. Consequently, he sees that there is something strange

with the Grievers reaction when he makes avoidance movement. Suddenly, Minho

comes in time to help Thomas to fight the Grievers. After that, Thomas and

Minho makes a plan to defeat the Grievers by pushing them into the Cliff. They

think that the Grievers cannot stop because the Grievers‘ movement becomes a lot

faster when they rolling their body


31

Just as the first Griever‘s arm extended out to nip at them, Minho and

Thomas dove in opposite directions, each toward one of the outer walls of

the corridor. The tactic had worked for Thomas earlier, and judging by the

horrible screeching sound that escaped the first Griever, it had worked

again. The monster flew off the edge of the Cliff. Oddly, its battle cry cut

sharply instead of fading as it plummeted to depths beyond (Dashner,

2009: 138).

However, the last Griever is able to stop in time before it falls into the Cliff. Then,

it does not make Minho and Thomas panic. Thomas instinctively knows what he

should do with the Griever. They decide to run to the Griever and kick it, so that

the Griever falls into the Cliff.

b. Thomas conflicts against Alby

The conflict between Thomas and Alby happens because they have

different ideas. Thomas tries to persuade all of the Gladers to follow him to find a

way to leave the Maze because he believes that there is a chance for them to leave

the Maze. However, Alby as a leader of the Gladers refuses the idea. He does not

agree with Thomas idea, and he believes that it just a trick from Thomas to regain

his trust. Thomas realizes that all of the Gladers cannot live in the Glade forever.

Since Teresa who is the only female Glader arrives in the Glade, everything is

going weird. For example, when Teresa speaks to Thomas that she just triggers

the Ending. In the next morning, the sun disappears, everything changes

immediately. The doors do not close anymore and the supplies do not come as

usual. This situation makes all of the Gladers worried about the continuation of

their life. As a result, it makes Thomas believe that there must be a chance to find

a way to escape from the Maze and they could find their way to home. Therefore,


32

Thomas said to everyone that all of them must fight until they find a way out from

the Maze and bring all of them out of there.

Thomas had an overwhelming feeling that all of these changes were a

spur, a catalyst for the endgame. ―Because now we have to solve it. We‘ll

be forced to. We can‘t live that way anymore, day to day, thinking that

what matters most is getting back to the Glade before the Doors close,

snug and safe‖ (Dashner, 2009: 244).

Even though it seems hopeless that he will never be able to find a way out he still

never gives up. Then, at last Thomas tells everyone that there is something that

they can do, so that they can leave the Maze to go back to their home. Thomas

said that there is a computer inside the Grievers Hole and they just need to enter

the code. However, Alby disagrees with Thomas‘ idea because Alby does not trust

Thomas anymore. Alby sees Thomas in his dream when he go through Changing

phases, then he knows that he is one of the Creators who build the place and also

put all of them there.

―Now you‘re being a shuck idiot,‖ he said, glaring at Thomas. ―Or a

traitor. How can we trust a word you say if you helped design the place,

put us here! We can‘t handle one Griever on our own ground, much less

fight a whole horde of them in their little hole. What are you really up to?‖

(Dashner, 2009:310).

It is hard for Thomas to convince all of them because everyone knows that

Thomas is the one who help the Creator builds and designs the Maze. Even

though Thomas already convinces all of them that he tries to help to find a way to

exit the Maze, Alby still does not trust Thomas.

―Maybe that was a trick to gain our trust. If you‘re in league with the

shucks who sent us here, you wouldn‘t have had to worry about the

Grievers hurting you—maybe it was all an act‖ (Dashner, 2009: 310).

Alby who has got stung and gone through the Changing phase is sure that

all of them cannot exit from the Maze. The Changing is a state of unconsciousness


33

that occurs immediately after a person is stung by a Griever. After the Changing,

the person gets back some of the memories that were wiped before he or she came

into the Glade. As well as Alby, he regains some of his memory and he is really

sure that their life will get worse after they successfully get out from the Maze.

However, Thomas does not give up with his situation, he still attempts to regain

all of the Gladers‘ trust including Alby.

c. Thomas conflicts against all of Gladers

The conflict between Thomas and all of Gladers happens because Thomas‘

attitude often annoys all of them. Thomas often asks a lot of questions to the

Gladers and annoys all of them. One of the examples is when Thomas tries to help

Alby and Minho who trap inside the Maze. Thomas and Minho have different

perception toward Thomas idea to enter the Maze. Thomas just tries to help Alby

and Minho, he feels that he cannot just do nothing and leave them inside the

Maze. However, Minho thinks differently, he thinks that Thomas‘ assistance is

useless and he thinks that Thomas just committed suicide. Minho also believes

that there is nothing they can do in order to survive inside the Maze because no

one ever survives inside the Maze at night. Thomas feels angry with Minho‘s

attitude because he is trying to remain hopeful.

Thomas was annoyed at Minho‘s attitude constant negativity. ―Oh, come

on—there has to be something we can do. How many Grievers‘ll come at

us?‖ He peered down the corridor that led deeper into the Maze, as if

expecting the creatures to arrive then, summoned by the sound of their

name (Dashner, 2009: 114).

Even though it seems hopeless for them to survive, Thomas still believes

that there is a way to survive inside the Maze. Suddenly, Thomas remembers


34

about Ben and Gally who are also the Gladers. He asks if anyone has ever been

stuck outside during the night and survived like Ben and Gally, but Minho

answers in the negative.

A thought sprang into Thomas‘s mind, giving him hope. ―But…what

about Ben? And Gally, and others who‘ve been stung and survived?‖

(Dashner. 2009: 115).

All Thomas‘ questions make Minho angry because he thinks that Thomas

tells implicitly that he is a stupid person. Minho believes that all of Thomas‘

thought are already tried and it does not work at all. He also believes that there is

not a way to survive inside the Maze at night. In contrast, Thomas still believes

that there is something that they can do in order to survive inside the Maze.

Therefore, he asks several questions to Minho, so that he can learn the strategy

that he can use to survive inside the Maze.

The other conflict which happens between Thomas and all of Gladers is

when Thomas tries to persuade all of the Gladers to follow him in order to find the

way out of the Maze. Thomas proposes an idea that all of them should enters to

the Grievers hole, a place where all of Grievers live. However, some of the

Gladers think that Thomas‘ idea is crazy and as a result they do not agree with his

idea. The other factor why some of the Gladers do not agree is because Thomas is

the one of the Creator who helps design the Maze.

In previous event, Thomas realizes that he must sacrifice himself for get

stung by the Griever in order to go through Changing phase. Thomas believes that

go through Changing phase is the only way to regain his memory, so that he can

find a way out from the Maze.


35

All the same, Thomas now had a plan. As bad as it was, he had a plan.

They needed more clues about the code. They needed memories. So he

was going to get stung by a Griever. Go through the Changing. On

purpose. (2009:291)

Thomas sacrifices himself to help the Gladers find a way out of the Maze

and back to home. He does not know whether he will survive or not through the

Changing, he is uncertain about what he will experience and the after-life of the

Changing but he does it anyway for everyone else. After went through Changing

phase, finally Thomas finds the answer why all of them are sent to the Glade. The

Creators are testing all of them and they want the winners or survivors to do

something important.

Then, Thomas also makes confession that Thomas and Teresa who is the

only girl in the Glade are different because both of them have the ability of

telepathy. The confession made all of the Gladers doubt, but Thomas tries to

convince them that he and Teresa can find a way out from the Maze.

―It‘s true, and I‘m sorry,‖ Thomas continued. ―But I can tell you this—I‘m

in the same boat with you now. Teresa and I were sent here just like

anyone else, and we can die just as easily. But the Creators have seen

enough—it‘s time for the final test. I guess I needed the Changing to add

the final pieces of the puzzle. Anyway, I wanted you to know the truth, to

know there‘s a chance we can do this‖ (Dashner, 2009:308).

Thomas tries to reassure all of the Gladers that he can help all of them to

find the way out even though they already know the true identity of Thomas and

Teresa. They are one of the Creators who design the Maze and create the whole

thing. Thomas also convinces them that he needed the Changing in order to get

the final clue to get out from the Maze.

After go through Changing phase, finally Thomas finds the answer why all

of them are sent to the Glade. Thomas believes that there must something about


36

the code which obtains from the Maze‘s movement. He believes that there is a

connection or relation between the code and the Maze. He also believes that all of

them could get out from the Maze if they already have the code. He has a plan to

get out but there‘s no assurance whether the plan will be a success or a failure. No

one knows whether they will be alive or dead by the end of the night. Then,

Thomas proposes the idea of jumping into the griever hole when they decipher the

hidden words concealed in the Maze patterns. The plan sounds crazy for some of

the Gladers, but it is the only choice for them if they want to exit from the Maze.

Finally, Thomas success to convince all of the Gladers to follows his plan in order

to find a way home.

C. The Messages as Revealed through the Thomas’ Conflicts

In this last part of analysis, the writer tries to reveal the messages through

the conflicts faced by Thomas.

According to Beaty in New Worlds of Literature, a message is defined as

the real meaning or some easy conclusion that can be simply stated or summarized

inside a work of art (1989: 899). Then, it might be concluded that message is the

main essence that can cover the whole idea of the work of art or literary work.

The messages which revealed through Thomas‘ conflict are never giving up

with the difficult situation, daring to take a risk for our goal, and sacrificing for

something we want achieve. Those messages‘ detail will be explained in the next

section.


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1. Never Giving up with the Difficult Situation

Thomas‘ conflict between the Grievers proves that he has willingness to

keep survive in any situation. He sees Alby and Minho try to return to the Glade,

but they do not have enough time. Thomas wants to help them, but he always

remembers about the rule about not to enter the Maze. Thomas also does not know

anything about the Maze and how to defeat the Grievers, but he enters the Maze

anyway to save Alby and Minho. However, Minho looks unhappy with Thomas

decision, because he thinks that Thomas‘ help is useless. It is different with

Thomas who believes that there is a hope and there must be something that they

can do in order to survive inside the Maze.

Thomas was annoyed at Minho‘s constant negativity. ―Oh, come on—

there has to be something we can do. How many Grievers‘ll come at us?‖

He peered down the corridor that led deeper into the Maze, as if expecting

the creatures to arrive then, summoned by the sound of their name

(Dashner, 2009: 114).

Minho is the Keeper of the runner and he is supposed to know well about the

Maze and know how to escape from the Grievers. However, they have pretty

much all lost hope, especially for Minho. He thinks that they will not survive in

the Maze because the Grievers will chase them wherever they go and they will be

dead.

You don‘t understand, shuck-face! You don‘t know anything, and you‘re

just making it worse by trying to have hope! We‘re dead, you hear me?

Dead! (Dashner, 2009:117).

However, he gives up and decides to leave Alby and Thomas behind in order to

save himself. In contrast, Thomas decides to stay with Alby and figure out a

solution so that both of them can survive from the Grievers. Surviving in the new

place and without background knowledge about it is not an easy thing. However,


38

Thomas never gives up with his situation and keeps trying to find a way to save

Alby who injured, though he knows that it is difficult. Thomas still has

willingness to survive and he does not surrender and does nothing though his plan

does not work well.

However, when Thomas finds a way to trick the Grievers, Minho realizes

that there is a way to survive the night and it makes him has hope again. Then,

they trick three Grievers into falling off the Cliff and Minho is shocked and said

Minho snorted. ―Somehow we made it to sunrise, or we would‘ve had ten

more on our butts before long.‖ He shifted his body, wincing and

groaning. ―I can‘t believe it. Seriously. We made it through the whole

night—never been done before‖ (Dashner, 2009: 140).

Even though some of Thomas‘ ideas to escape from the Grievers are unsuccessful,

he still struggles to look for a way to defeat the Grievers. Thomas‘ struggle is not

in vain, Minho and he finally find a way to defeat the Grievers and they

successfully defeat all of Grievers which chase them.

Another situation is when Thomas promises himself that he will keep

struggle to find a way to exit from the Maze on the day when he officially

becomes a runner.

Tomorrow, his training would begin. Tomorrow, he could start helping

them find that missing something. Right then Thomas made a decision.

Forget all the weird stuff. Forget all the bad things. Forget all. He wouldn‘t

quit until he‘d solved the puzzle and found a way home (Dashner, 2009:

200).

Though there is no hope for Thomas‘ conflicts, he insists on not to give up.

Thomas knows that it is dangerous to go out of there, but he does not let that to

stop his desire to help all of the Gladers from achieving freedom. They can be


39

victorious, even over their worst nightmares and they must have the courage to

step out of their comfort zone.

2. Daring to Take a Risk for Our Goal

Described as a curious and smart person, it makes Thomas has ability to

gather some useful information in order to achieve something. Thomas asks all of

the Gladers a lot of question because he wants to know all of the things. It can be

seen when Thomas asks Minho about the Gladers who have been stung and

survived.

A thought sprang into Thomas‘s mind, giving him hope. ―But…what

about Ben? And Gally, and others who‘ve been stung and survived?‖

(Dashner. 2009: 115).

Thomas believes that Minho and he can survive like Ben and Gally. He also

believes that there must be something that they can do, but Minho says that there

is no hope for them to survive. However, all of his questions have a purpose

because Thomas is able to gather information on what strategies have been tried

before, what lessons were learnt from the past, and what he should avoid doing in

the future. Thomas knows that Minho is the Keeper of the Runner who knows

more about the Maze. While Thomas‘ attitude frustrates the Gladers who are been

in the Glades for quite some time, it allows Thomas to make wiser decisions. At

last, it also allows him to make decisions as he leads the group towards their

escape from the Glade. In order to move forward, Thomas should constantly be

curious. He asks all sorts of questions, even if it may seem dumb. Thomas will

never know what he will find out until he asks. Thomas will be able to make more


40

informed decisions which cut his risks down significantly and let him lead with

more confidence.

The message also can be seen when Thomas proposes the idea of jumping

into the Griever Hole when they decipher the hidden words concealed in the Maze

patterns. He has a plan to get out but there is no assurance whether the plan will

be a success or a failure. No one knows whether they will be alive or dead by the

end of the night.

Thomas asks Newt, ―So they agreed to go?‖ and Newt responds saying,

―All of them… Those shanks‘ve seen what happens at night with those

bloody Doors open. We can‘t get out of the stupid Maze. Gotta try

something (Dashner, 2009: 320).

Finally, Thomas successfully convinces all of the Gladers to follow him

even though it seems hopeless for all of them to find a way out of the Maze. He

already knows that the Maze cannot be solved from Alby and Teresa. However, it

does not stop him to find another idea to get out from the place. He tries to gather

more information until he finds the code from the Maze movement and he

believes that the code can lead them to exit from the Maze. Although the idea of

jumping into the Griever is never done before, they need to try it whether the idea

is successful or not.

3. Sacrificing for Something We Want to Achieve

Since Thomas is in the Glade, all of the Gladers get some clues little by

little. In the end, Thomas finds eight codes from the Maps by comparing the

newest Maps to old Maps. However, Thomas does not know what he is supposed

to do with the code and it makes him frustrated.

All the same, Thomas now had a plan. As bad as it was, he had a plan.

They needed more clues about the code. They needed memories. So he


41

was going to get stung by a Griever. Go through the Changing. On purpose

(Dashner, 2009: 291).

Thomas needs to find a few more clues in order to get the way to exit the Maze.

Therefore, he thinks that stung by the Griever is the solution for all of them to find

the answer. Thomas believes that all he needs is just his memories, and then he

sacrifices himself to help the Gladers find a way out of the Maze and back home.

He does not know whether he will survive or not through the Changing, he is

uncertain about what he will experience in the after-life of the Changing but he

does it anyway for everyone else.

Once again, Thomas attempts to sacrifice himself to save the others, so

that the others can escape from the Maze safely. Thomas thinks that all of them

need to do something rather than waiting the Grievers kill one of them each day.

It doesn‘t do the Creators any good if we all die—this thing is meant to be

hard, not impossible. I think we finally know for sure that the Grievers are

programmed to only kill one of us each day. So somebody can sacrifice

himself to save the others while we run to the Hole. I think this might be

how it‘s supposed to happen (Dashner, 2009: 313).

Thomas proposes the idea of jumping into the Griever Hole, but he also

tell that somebody should hold the Grievers outside the Hole, so that the others

can enter the code to the computer and leave the Maze safely. All of the Gladers

do not agree with the idea because they believe that nobody want to volunteering

himself to fight with the Grievers. However, it is the only choice for them if they

want to exit from the Maze. Surprisingly, Thomas says that he will sacrifice

himself to fight with the Grievers while the other runs to the Hole.

―I‘m perfectly willing to do it.‖ Thomas meant it, but only because of the

guilt that racked him. Guild that he‘d somehow helped design the Maze.

But deep dow, he held on to the hope that he could fight long enough for


42

someone to punch in the code and shut down the Grievers before they

killed him. Open the door (Dashner, 2009: 315).

Some of the Gladers feel that Thomas should not do that, because they

believe that Thomas cannot help what the Creators forced him to do, so it is not

his fault at all. However, Thomas still wants to sacrifice himself because he must

have his responsibility to save everyone and to redeem himself.


43

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

This chapter concludes the analysis of this study. The writer writes this

study in order to find out the message that can be revealed from Thomas‘

conflicts. The writer uses the novel The Maze Runner as the object of the study.

The writer sees that Thomas conflicts in the story are interesting to be discussed.

Thomas conflicts are about his struggle to survive and find a way out from the

Maze. By analyzing the story, the writer can draw several conclusions which

answer the problem formulation.

First, the writer analyzes the characteristic of character, Thomas, in the

first analysis. The writer can find four characteristics of Thomas in the story; they

are curious, smart, brave, and selfless. Those characteristics of Thomas are

important in order to see his personality

Thomas is one of the Gladers who lives inside the Glade. He often faces

many problems in searching the reason why he and the Gladers are sent inside the

Glade. The situations reveal Thomas‘ personalities; those are curious, smart,

brave, and selfless. Then, the answer of the first problem formulation is used to

make the analysis of the second problem formulation.

The second problem formulation of this study is the conflicts faced by

Thomas. The writer find that there two types of conflicts faced by Thomas,

internal and external conflicts. Thomas‘ internal conflict happens when he faces a


44

dilemma in the beginning of the story. He struggles to decide whether he must

save his friends or just stay inside the Glade.

Thomas‘ external conflict happens when he faces the situation against

nature and his society. His conflict against occurs when he enters the Maze and

fight the Grievers in order to survive. Then, his conflict against society happens

when he has different point of view or idea between Alby, his leader and all of

Gladers.

Then, from the conflicts faced by Thomas in the story, the writer can

reveal several messages. The first message is never giving up with the difficult

situation. People should have willingness to survive in any situation. It can be

seen in Thomas‘ conflict against Grievers; he does not give in despite his difficult

situation. He tries to fight back the Grievers in order to survive inside the Maze.

The second message is daring to take a risk for our goal. Sometimes, people do

not dare to take a risk to achieve something. They prefer to stay in their comfort

zone rather than try some new possibilities. However, this kind of thought makes

some people stuck and they will not get what they want. Therefore, whatever the

situation or the problem, people should dare to take a risk in achieving their goal.

Third message is sacrificing for something we want achieve. When people really

want to achieve their goal, they should be ready to sacrifice anything, even they

must sacrifice themselves.


45

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