Coming of Age in Literature: Three Characters Who learned to Become Adults

📌Category: Books, Literature
📌Words: 671
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 15 January 2022

Coming of Age is defined as a young person’s transition from young to adulthood. Coming of Age is represented in three works of literature: Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez, “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier, and “Fish Cheeks'' by Amy Tan. In these works of literature, Coming of Age is achieved by (1) realizing that not everyone is going to like you, (2) learning that making mistakes is a part of growing up, (3) and learning the importance of taking pride in your culture.

Keeping your pride and dignity is part of surviving the long haul. For instance, in the story, Luis and his brother Rano proceed into the white neighborhood and get jumped by a group of white youths. Luis in “Always Running” says, “It was his one last thing to hold onto, his rep as someone who could take a belt whipping, who could take a beating in the neighborhood and still go back risking more—it was this pathetic plea from the pavement I remember”. Thus, this infers that although Rano got beaten like dead meat, he withholds the one beat down from bringing their desires and risks to a halt. Luis attained a heap of motivation from Rano’s strong perseverance and developed encouragement and affirmation to do the same. Luis exudes to the realization that pride is crucial in growing up and instead of losing courage, he ought to prepare himself. This experience taught them the significance of, having pride grants you to move forward on the path to success.

Understanding that it’s okay to make mistakes is a part of growing up. For example, In “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth sentiments repentance and remorse as she comes to the lucid perception of Ms. Lottie after wrecking her marigolds. Lizabeth says, “The years have put words to the things I knew in that moment, and as I look back upon it, I know that that moment marked the end of innocence“ (Collier 5). This quote shows that Lizabeth is now conscious that what she did was wrong; she learns to be more considerate of her actions. Subsequent to wrecking her marigolds she realizes all of whatever was of bliss that was crammed out of Miss. Lotties’ life was in the marigolds she so cherished and planted. This was her beginning of compassion as she delved into the depths of Ms. Lottie and she grasped the understanding that mistakes are made to help you learn and give you guidance to grow into something greater. This taught Lizabeth that mistakes are acceptable and their purpose is to help you grow to the best version of yourself.

Teaching yourself to always be proud of your culture and own uniqueness is fundamental in growing up. For example in the story, Amy felt ashamed as they had an Asian dinner that she reckoned to seem “weird” in front of her crush’s family. Amy’s mother in “Fish Cheeks” says "But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame." This quote stresses that her only shame is to have shame in her roots and to instead recognize and treasure it. Amy’s mother knowing the minister’s family was of a different community outside of the Asian community decided to make specifically an Asian cuisine for their dinner to spread their culture. Amy apprehended the true importance of obtaining pride in yourself and having regard for all the unique parts that not everyone else has. Amy realized that accepting yourself is more important than looking good for others.

Learning that you can’t please everyone, you won’t always be perfect, and learning to be proud of who you are, are all coming-of-age experiences. In Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez, Luis learned that he can’t always be everyone’s cup of tea; in “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth learned that she isn’t perfect but that is how she grows into something greater; and in “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan, Amy learned to be proud of who she is and to embrace her pride. Gaining an understanding from all these important lessons helps give others a headstart to know what is right and to be the best we can all possibly be. These stories illustrate the importance of coming of age because this period of one’s life serves as a transition from childhood to adulthood.

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