Land The Grand Odlum example essay topic

The Maze in the Heart of the Castle Dorothy Gilman's fiction adventure "The Maze in the Heart of the Castle" is about a young boy named Colin who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. This takes place along time ago, when Colin's parents die tragically when Colin is only 16 years old. Sad and seeking answers, Colin seeks answers from his religious teacher Brother John. John tells Colin that he might want to go see the Grand Odlum, a mysterious man who lived at an old castle.

Colin takes Brother John's advice, and decides to find the Grand Odlum. The Grand Odlum tells Colin that comes from a land far away, and that the only way to get to this land is to travel a long journey, which begins in a huge maze in the heart of a castle. The Odum tells Colin that this trip is not for everyone, and that there is only a possibility that it will answer any of Colin's questions regarding life itself. Colin decides to take the journey, and enters the castle. Colin soon finds that the maze is much larger than he ever thought. It takes him a good 3 days just to get to the end, and even there he has to use teamwork to get through the end.

Out of the maze, Colin finds himself in a desert type area, where he can see snow-capped mountains many miles away in the horizon. Colin travels many miles through the desert, almost perishing before he finds a huge cliff. He then learns an entire civilization rest inside of the rocky cliff called the Talmars. Talmar history tells of a time, hundreds of years ago when a few people journeyed through a maze into the cliffs, where they started a city. Unfortunately, the city was soon overtaken by one of the people, who then declared himself King.

His name was Talmar. This started the horrible dictatorship of the Talmars. Colin becomes friend with a Talmar named Zan, and together they overthrow the dictatorship of King Talmar, and end the dictatorship. Colin, who is sure he hasn't reached the land the Grand Odlum spoke of, decides to continue his journey.

Traveling with a horse that the Talmar's gave him, Colin soon reaches a forest type area, and he can see that the snow-capped mountains have neared. In the forest he meets a girl named Charmian, who he falls in love with. They live months in the woods, slowly reaching the snowy mountains. Colin decides that they should be married, but just as he thought this, Charmian begins to betray Colin. She leaves him to die one morning, taking almost everything that belonged to him. Only Colin's will to reach the end keeps him alive.

Shortly after, he is found by another small group of peoples whom live atop the snowy mountain, in a small cave. They take care of him, and show him many wood trades. They are very kind, yet they don't want him to ever-go outside. He believes that these people are another obstacle that is keeping him from reaching the end of his journey. He decides to break out one night and leaves the warm caves.

He is met by cold snow, but drags on to the other side of the mountain. Shortly after, Colin learns that only a valley lies between him and the land he seeks. A guy who is from this land tells his him this. They become friends, but soon have to go separate ways.

Just as he leaves, he is captured by thieves. The horrible robbers lock him in a cage and charge people money to throw rocks and rotten food at him. Colin's only food is the rotten food left in his cage. He comes near to death, but is saved by his friend from the great land.

The book ends as Colin walks to the top of the valley, and sees the great land that the Grand Odlum foretold.