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Coming Of Age In The Glass Castle, And Never Let Me Go

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The term “Coming of age” displays the personal and intellectual growth and development of a character in a story. It usually starts when the protagonist shows growth from childhood to adulthood. This is the core theme of the semester, seen throughout the novels we read in class. I believe there should be no changes made to the required reading list. The reading list should stay the same because in each individual text, at least one character overcomes a new change and understanding of the world around them. One thing I did question is, “Does coming of age necessarily have to be a good change or can be bad as well?” This question almost challenges what it means to come of age. For example, in Never Let Me Go, it’s almost hard for the characters …show more content…

Coming of age can be considered a good or bad transformation simply based on the circumstances the character is in. Tommy’s transition might be seen as a minor change because he still releases anger, but this can be interpreted as coming to terms of the truth and reality. Moving on from the truth of false hope with a positive mindset demonstrates “coming of age” which Tommy possessed. In the other texts on the list, most of them primarily show exactly the transition from adolescent to adulthood. The novels The Glass Castle, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Fun Home, the protagonist or main character looks back into their childhood and reflects on their transformation. Jeanette Walls in The Glass Castle grew up in an abnormal, unstable environment that she didn’t realize was odd until she was exposed more to the real world. What I love the most is that she told “her truth”. Not only did she do what’s best for her, but Jeannette came to an understanding of where her parents wanted to be. What makes me intrigued about these particular texts is that “coming of age” can have many different aspects and …show more content…

From reading these texts over the course of the semester, I would say the most important characteristics of the “coming of age” theme is confrontation with the adult world, acceptance of reality, awareness of self, and

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