In The Maze Runner, James Dashner decided to set the story in an imaginary place called the “Glade” - a large courtyard enclosed by tall ivy-stone walls. However, he does not directly specify what time period the book is set in, further evoking mystery in the novel amongst the readers. Therefore, Dashner’s creation of an imaginary world called the Glade, generates a sense of suspense, tension and mystery in The Maze Runner. In particular, the sense of being “trapped” within the Glade, allows Dashner to evoke tension, whilst this is furthered by his deliberate choice to make the protagonist, Thomas, to possess limited knowledge about the Maze. For example, Dashner incorporates sentences such as “The floor of the courtyard looked like it was made of huge stone blocks, many of them cracked and filled with long grasses and weeds.” (Pg. 7 Ch2) to create a sense of mystery about the place, while quotes including “Where was he? What was this place? Was it some kind of prison?” increase a sense of confusion, thereby building a tense atmosphere for the readers.