The Maze Runner and Fast Food Nation

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Recommended: Critically evaluate the social responsibility of business

After reading The Maze Runner and Fast Food Nation, I have learned a lot about the dynamics and importance of government and the fast food industry. Social contract and the ideas of Locke and Hobbes both relate to the two books and how government and corporations work hand in hand. The importance of addressing issues as they happen, instead of sweeping them under the rug or making small changes is another thing that was addressed in both book, both directly and indirectly.

The Maze Runner

“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner is the first in a young adult dystopian science fiction trilogy. The book was published October 2009. It is currently in the process of becoming a movie, set to be released September 19, 2014. The book takes place in the Glade, a mini society built by teenage boys who are brought there with no memory of their past life. When Thomas arrives, strange events start happening. Thomas feels like he holds the secret to finding the way out of the Glade, but must discover how to get his memories back in order to save the Gladers.
About the Author
James Dashner grew up in Georgia, but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his wife and four kids. He got his Bachelors degree in accounting, and worked in finance. After the release of the first book in “The Maze Runner” trilogy, he quit accounting and works full time as a writer.
Dashner says that most of the ideas for the trilogy came at the very beginning. He always knew that there would be three books, and had a good idea on how the books would be divided. As an avid reader, much of his inspiration comes from the books he has read. James says The Maze Runner was influenced by The Enders Game by Orson Scott Card and also Lord of the Flies by William Golding. He say...

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...opportunity to use critical thinking skills and learn more about theories on government and society. The number one thing I took away from this project is that in order for a government to be successful, it needs to meet the needs of the people, not major corporations or organizations.

Works Cited
Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. New York: Delacorte, 2009. Print.
"Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Social Contract Theory []. N.p., 2009. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.
Pavao, Kate. "Q & A with James Dashner." PublishersWeekly.com. Publishers Weekly, 02 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print.
Schlosser, Eric. "Still a Fast Food Nation." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
"Schlosser on Food and Finance." PBS. PBS, 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.

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