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 ...
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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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adult 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. Essayworld.com, 30 May. 2006. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Theme-Of-Coming-Age-Literature/46779>
"The Theme Of Coming Of Age In Literature." Essayworld.com. May 30, 2006. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Theme-Of-Coming-Age-Literature/46779.
"The Theme Of Coming Of Age In Literature." Essayworld.com. May 30, 2006. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Theme-Of-Coming-Age-Literature/46779.
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