The Theme Of Coming Of Age In Literature
There comes a time is each person's life when they reach the point
where they are no longer children, but adults. The transition from a child
into a young adult is often referred to as the "coming of age," or growing
up. The time when this transition occurs is different in everyone, since
everyone is an individual and no two people are alike. Certain children
reach this stage through a tragic, painful event which affects them to such
extent that they are completely changed. Other children reach this time by
simply growing older and having a better understanding of the world around
them. The coming of age really is indefinite and cannot be marked in
general overview. This stage in ...
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life which is often ignored.
The coming of age is an event which is often celebrated in many different
cultures, through rituals or ceremonies. The rituals, also known as
passage rites, mark the passing of a person from one stage of life to the
next: birth, infancy, childhood, adulthood, old age, and death. The coming
of age is celebrated along with birth, and death because it is known as a
universal life crises. Evoking anxiety, these crises often elicit passage
rites. Arnold Van Gennep stated that "Passage rituals have three steps:
separation from society; inculcation-transformation; and return to society
in the new status." (1995, Grolier Encyclopedia)
All passage rituals serve certain universal functions. "They serve
to dramatize the encounter of new responsibilities, opportunities, dangers.
They alleviate disruption in the equilibrium of the community. They affirm
community solidarity, and the sacredness of common values." (1995, Grolier
Encyclopedia)
In addition, ...
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males. Such
rites maintain adult male togetherness and strengthen cultural continuity.
They resolve boys conflicts about sexual identity and establish clear
attitudes toward fathers and mothers. Such rites dramatize the power of
older over younger males and state that "only women can make babies: but
only men can make men." (1995, Grolier Encyclopedia) Such passage rites
symbolize death of the child and rebirth as a man, as well as male envy of
females. Versions in modern Western society includes religious,
confirmation, fraternity initiation, and military training.
In addition to the different ways that culture celebrates the
coming of age it is also one of the worlds most ...
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"The Theme Of Coming Of Age In Literature." Essayworld.com. October 10, 2004. Accessed April 25, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Theme-Of-Coming-Age-Literature/15660.
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