Coming of Age

The Maze is a coming of age story, the tale of a boy on the cusp of manhood, a pivotal stage in his life where he could go down one of two paths. Rick Walker needs to find out who he is. That is the question the judge asks him at both of his hearings: Who is Rick Walker? Rick needs an answer to that question, and in the beginning of the novel, he doesn't have a place to begin or anyone to help him. He is filled with anger and confusion. He is lost in a maze, and if he does not grow up and reach maturity, he won't be able to find his way out.

Rick could remain lost in his anger. He could end up back in Blue Canyon, for a longer sentence, and he could never truly mature. Maturing means learning lessons...