Turning Pages

The development of Jason throughout Black Swan Green is one of my favorite character developments I have seen out of all the coming of age novels we’ve read. Jason's story line really fits the definition that comes to my mind when I think of coming of age. Throughout the novel Jason transitions from insecure and searching for validation to confident and care-free ( carefree as it applies to Jason wanting to be accepted by his peers).  You can really see this when you compare Jason's attitudes and actions from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. For example, take a look at page five of Black Swan Green when Jason's mother ask him why he doesn't want to wear his black parka and he tells us (the reader) that he doesn’t want to wear it because it would give off the appearance that he is cocky, too full of himself, or as Jason phrases it “fancies himself as a hard knock”. Jason is worried about how he may be perceived by how he dresses so much that he avoids ...

  Gender expression plays a huge part in the relationship between Bruce and Alison in Fun Home. Bruce seems to carry a lot of shame with him as regards to his sexuality. I think one of the main reasons he is so adamant on keeping Alison as ‘feminine’ as possible is to help her avoid the same shame he carries with him everyday of his life. When I was first thinking of why Bruce didn’t want young Alison to leave the mainstream ideas of gender identity I thought it was because he was bitter and didn’t want anyone to have a good experience with expressing their gender identity because it would trigger a thought in him that his life didn’t have to turn out the way it did which would fill him with regret. But after finishing the novel I feel like Bruce’s cold and aggressive attitude towards young Alison probably stemmed from his lack of ability to connect with young children. As Alison gets older Bruce’s hostility melts away and the two grow close through their love of literature. Bruce ...

It's hard to read The Bell Jar knowing the similarities between Esther and Sylvia Plath and not make assumptions about Esther's coming of age. Ester specifically mentions how after her therapy she is no longer trapped under the bell jar but she says she is still under the bell jar and that it is lingering over her head. With admitting the bell jar still lingering over her head Esther is saying that at any point in time it can drop and her depression can once again pollute the air around her and suffocate her. With the idea that at any moment a somewhat healthy Esther can fall right back into depression I can’t help but look at Sylvia Plath and fill in the question marks of Ester’s story with what happened to Plath. The Bell Jar was written as an autobiography of sorts and in that context the reader can infer that during Sylvia's time being institutionalized she was under a bell jar, but at some point the bell jar lifted, fresh air came in and for a period of time she could...

In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Holden as a nonchalant, sarcastic, care-free, observant, and overly critical narrator. In addition to that we see that Holden generally expresses a strong feeling of contempt towards people and the way society functions as a whole. This story is narrated in quite a unique way allowing the reader to feel like Holden's closest friend and confidant. As the reader we see Holden's private and public self, due to this unique position we are able to clearly see Holden's downward spiral as he evades the concept of growing up throughout the novel. Holden not applying himself in school is a great example of his refusal to face adulthood. When a kid graduates high school it is usually looked at as a crossing from childhood to adulthood; from depending on your parents to independence. Holden's refusal to apply himself and reach the next step in life shows how he is attempting to evade growing up. In addition to not applying himself...

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So far in ‘ Song of Solomon’ Milkman, Ruth, and Macon have been very stagnant and stuck in their pasts. Despite the book moving through time periods so quickly these characters are never seen truly looking forward instead of back.  First we have Ruth (Foster) Dead who is ‘starved for love’ as Pilate puts it. In the beginning of her life she sticks uncomfortably close to her father, feeling like an outcast to the rest of the children due to her social status. She then craves that same love and adoration from her husband and son which she is denied. Throughout the portion of the novel we have read so far Ruth has been craving a feeling of love, comfort, and belonging. That same feeling her father had given to her in her past but she hasn’t been able to find it again since her father had passed. Ruth has stayed stuck in the past chasing and craving something that is and has been gone for a long time. Then we have Macon Dead II. From a young age Macon had been driven by money. When he...

  The relationship between Meursault and Raymond is one of the most essential relationships in The Stranger . Raymond pulling Meursault into his world and Meursault allowing him to is one of the main reasons Meursault ended up on that beach with a gun in his hand  The quote that kickstarted the toxic and explosive relationship between Meursault and Raymond was. " If it isn't that pitiful!" He asked me didn't I think it was disgusting and I said no." I believe these questions about Salamano directed towards Meursault was Raymond's way of feeling out Meursault and seeing if he would judge him for his lifestyle. Due to the fact that Meursault didn't judge Salamano Raymond took that as an indication that Meursault wouldn't judge him for the things he does. In other words Meursault passed Raymond's test.  Raymond was looking for a person who would justify/ agree with/not judge any of his decisions and choices which is exactly what Meursault did. For ...