Novels, in particular, can be particularly ambiguous in terms of genre. Murakami’s novel, Sputnik Sweetheart, is no different—it could easily be a mystery, a misshapen romance, or even science fiction. Classifying the novel in these ways, however, all result in a focus on Sumire; when focused on Sumire, the novel’s main character, the novel seems one-dimensional—it’s the story of a young woman who disappears. However, interpreting the novel with an emphasis on Miu, a supporting character, reveals the story’s true complexities and coming-of-age storyline. Miu’s transformation over the course of the novel and the resolution of her identity crisis shows that the novel is, in fact, a coming-of-age novel. As with any coming-of-age novel, Sputnik Sweetheart describes Miu recognizing …show more content…
K says “the Miu before me, though, was not the woman I had waved goodbye to at the harbor on the Greek island,” which clearly indicates that in the short time between Sumire’s disappearance and K seeing her at the end of the novel, she has changed significantly (206). K also says that Miu seems like “an empty shell” and, after seeing Miu driving a Jaguar, “that bronze statue and Miu melted into one in my mind,” which further supports Miu’s change (207). The bronze statue that K refers to is the one in Miu’s hometown in Korea, which is apart of the past that “frightened” Miu (37). Thus, because K puts the image of Miu and a part of her past together, K associates Miu with finally connecting with her past. By embracing and confronting her past, Miu further shows signs of maturity and understanding of herself. Thus, given K’s acknowledgment of change, coupled with Miu’s increased confidence and acceptance of who she is, Miu matures throughout the novel. As a result of Miu’s journey to maturity, Sputnik Sweetheart can be interpreted as a coming of age story, despite Miu only being a supporting
The coming of age of a person could be at the age of twelve, or twenty, or forty – it all depends on each person’s ability to reach a certain level of maturity – not necessarily meaning when one is independent, but rather when one seems sensible and reliable. In terms of maturity, humans have different levels of development some mature faster, while others develop quite gradually. Most of the time, the experiences that one goes through determines the speed of the rate of the maturity of that person because past experiences affect the way that we make decisions that benefit ourselves, and the people around us. Louise Erdrich’s The Round House is a coming-of-age story about Joe Coutts, a thirteen-year-old Native American, who is thrust into adulthood
The narrator has also explained the emotions of the character in way where anyone who reads the story would be able to feel the emotions of each and every characters into the story. The author has also increased the suspense and intrigue of the story as she made the readers solve the mystery at the same time vee, the main character, in the story does. The narration of the story guides those reading it through the story and makes them think if there are any such incidents that has happened in their life before. The author also makes the characters feel real in the way it is being told. Author of this books makes the audience feel that the characters are real as they make mistakes and never
The three young stories that were told in this novel were that of Mikayla, almost 18, is completely engulfed in the love that she has for her boyfriend. He
How To Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, is a book that teaches adolescence how to read and comprehend literature. Foster’s purpose for writing this book was to help adolescents become better readers. Foster also wants to show that literature is not just a story, though it is also a learning experience to help us in life. He teaches us that “Every Trip is a Quest”, Vampires do exist, “It’s All Political”, and much more. After reading this book, readers should understand more about literature and how to connect stories to other stories and real life.
Jordynn Bowers Per-1 Armstrong Eleven Some people believe that turning a year older is exciting and means that you will be treated more maturely. Well, in Sandra Cisneros's short story, “Eleven” Rachel quickly becomes aware that it is anything but that. By using interior monologue, imagery, figurative language, and repetition Sandra Cisneros evokes how rachel really feels about turning a year older. Through the use of interior Sandra Cisneros demonstrates how Rachel has grown from what she experienced on her eleventh birthday.
One of the major turning points in Melinda's life was when she was raped at a senior summer party. After the summer party that Melinda and her good friend Rachel attended, the readers of this novel can see
David Lubar’s book Sleeping Freshmen Never lie is a coming of age novel because the adolescent protagonist Scott Hudson is on his way to maturity. Scott Hudson throughout the novel has proved to mature emotionally, mentally and most notably physically. In the first place, the main character Scott Hudson showed his mental progression in the novel from when on page 217, (his former bully, and now new friend). Was standing one against three; however, Scott saw this and stood by his friend because he is mentally mature enough to stand up with and help his friends.
With the book taking on the themed of history and science fiction equally made a mix that
The Terrors of Youth There are many memories that may come to mind when someone speaks the word of adolescence. Some people recall times of gratification and innocent adventures, but for others the phrase “teenage years” holds horrific memories. For a section of the populace their “teen experiences” may be the most appalling time period, as they begin to undergo many changes. This concept of dark adolescence is present not only in the real world, but in the literary world as well.
Book genres are helpful ways of categorizing diverse author styles and methods of writing. Specific subjects like the Dust Bowl can be written is many ways, but they all have the same ability to reach the reader’s imagination and provide them with knowledge. While non-fiction books use straight forward facts and details while fiction describes the feelings and hardship, both can cause an emotional response from the reader. By braking down stories such as The Storm in the Barn, The Year of Dust, Out of the Dust, and Children of the Dust Bowl we as readers get an idea of how author’s use the genre methods to aid their stories. Despite the many differences in genre techniques in historical fiction and historical non-fiction, they have similar
Novels for Students, edited by Sara Constantakis, vol. 29, Gale, 2009, pp. 45-65. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2278200014/GLS?u=txshracd2560&sid=GLS&xid=3e5549cf. Accessed 4 Apr. 2018 Rand, Ayn. Anthem.
The novel also makes a unyielding point about the dangers of consumerism, emphasizing how creativity and individualism can be reduced by allowing the government and media to think for them. Perhaps the most important feature of the book is that readers understand the value of imagination and cultural heritage. These points would not be understood or accepted by readers if the novel failed to follow narrative structure, which is undeniably the most important aspect of any literary
Novelist, Amy Tan, in her excerpt, Fish Cheeks, reminisces over a boy she had a crush on when she was fourteen. Tan 's purpose is to entertain and teach a lesson. She espouses a sentimental attitude in order to appeal to her adult readers. Tan draws her readers in by making a drastic contrast in the introductory paragraph stating, "He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger.
Knowing that the events of the story didn’t actually happen, coupled with the happy ending, leaves many readers unmoved by the book. Because Márquez fleshed out many of his characters in Living to Tell the Tale and ‘‘Tuesday Siesta,’’ to the point where they seem like actual human beings, his works are much more heart wrenching than Steinbeck’s The Grapes of
What gives someone hope in a world of death and despair? Is it a mother, or a child? Can the generations of your family give hope in a world of darkness? Edwidge Danticat, author of, Krik? Krak!, answers this.