In exploring the themes of identity and self-discovery in "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper and "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds, this essay will delve into these coming of age stories following characters that deal with many societal expectations and limitations, as well as their struggles with finding peace in the drastic changes their lives go through, while also highlighting the similarities and differences of the portrayals of said theme by the authors of each text Themes provide significance to stories and give them an air of relatability that readers are drawn to, the specific theme of self-discovery and the journey coming of age, while quite versatile, it is deeply relatable especially to younger audiences, many of whom are going through these and can use representation and perspective. The "Ghost" by Jason Journeys and Can Use Representation are two works that, although Reynolds and "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper are two works quite different, have similar roots and key ideas such as class segregation, …show more content…
draper, he still acts as a guide for the main character. Castle has a few friends whom he is not very close with in the beginning of the book. However, he bonds with his track mates at the newbie dinner over sharing their secrets while Isabella already has a close friend group at the beginning of the book. Both Isabella and Castle have a make or break event they are excited to participate in, Isabella has a piano recital that she has been practising with her teacher, Madame Edna, in Ghost on the other hand, Castle has his track race, which is the first of the
The outlook on our future is promising due to teenagers realizing how crucial uniqueness is in this world. Teenagers are coming to the realization that a person’s heart is much more important than their outer appearance. Teenagers are beginning to understand that a person’s outer appearance isn’t what’s going to make the world better, their heart is. In both “The Uglies” and in “Harrison Bergeron”, the authors show how they believe the future is going to turn out. Their predictions show a future that is not so promising and a future that is completely controlled by their government. Reading these stories should inspire young teenagers minds and help them realize that this isn’t the type of future they want, which will then lead to teenagers
Life is a complicated process. It’s filled with many things that keep it interesting but at the same time, very dull. Life’s what you make it and for many, it’s something we all strive for. In the story, The Space Between, the author takes full advantage of the premise as there’s rarely a dull moment- as in life. The book is filled with many literary devices that work nicely with the plot and dialogue. These include; metaphors, similes, irony, personification, and many more. We follow a young man who is finding his way in the world. He has only a week to change his life for the better. But he will face many obstacles on the way that brings the readers into a startling and fun journey.
Someone once said, “Maturity is not measured by age. It’s an attitude built by experience.” (SearchQuotes). These experiences help advance maturity and prepare adolescence for adulthood. In coming of age literature, the key is to evolve an authentic character through different incidents. Accordingly, Evan Hunter demonstrates this characteristic development in “On the Sidewalk Bleeding”, through the protagonist, Andy. Within the story, there are moments that illustrate the development in thinking realistically rather than idealistically, a prominent transition from ignorance to knowledge and experiences that demonstrate a shift from selfishness to selflessness. Consequently, the various developments Andy encounters in “On the Sidewalk Bleeding”
“I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees” (11). Adolescence brings on many changes in one’s life and is the time when a person is shaped into who they will be forever. Sandra Cisneros shows the experiences one may go through while growing up through this book. A child, especially during their adolescence, is a very moldable person. The situations they go through and their position socially can greatly impact who they become. Cisneros touches on the importance of friends, life at home, and experiences in the real world that can influence a child’s life. In The House On Mango Street, Cisneros uses strong descriptive words, first person point of view, and suspense
Stories about youth and the transition from that stage of life into adulthood form a very solidly populated segment of literature. In three such stories, John Updike’s “A & P,” Richard Wright’s “The Man Who Was Almost a Man,” and James Joyce’s “Araby”, young men face their transitions into adulthood. Each of these boys faces a different element of youth that requires a fundamental shift in their attitudes. Sammy, in “A&P”, must make a moral decision about his associations with adult institutions that mistreat others. Dave, in “The Man Who Was Almost a Man,” struggles with the idea that what defines a man is physical power. The narrator of “Araby,” struggles with the mistaken belief that the world can be easily categorized and kept within only one limited framework of thought. Each of these stories gives us a surprise ending, a view of ourselves as young people, and a confirmation that the fears of youth are but the foundation of our adulthood.
The critics who perceived this book's central theme to be teen-age angst miss the deep underlying theme of grief and bereavement. Ambrosio asks the question, "Is silence for a writer tantamount to suicide? Why does the wr...
It could be said that the book goes beyond the theme of teenage angst. It paints a vivid picture of self-knowledge and self-acceptance in the making.
The main character is completely alienated from the world around him. He is a black man living in a white world, a man who was born in the South but is now living in the North, and his only form of companionship is his dying wife, Laura, whom he is desperate to save. He is unable to work since he has no birth certificate—no official identity. Without a job he is unable to make his mark in the world, and if his wife dies, not only would he lose his lover but also any evidence that he ever existed. As the story progresses he loses his own awareness of his identity—“somehow he had forgotten his own name.” The author emphasizes the main character’s mistreatment in life by white society during a vivid recollection of an event in his childhood when he was chased by a train filled with “white people laughing as he ran screaming,” a hallucination which was triggered by his exploration of the “old scars” on his body. This connection between alienation and oppression highlight Ellison’s central idea.
This essay will focus on how the novel Passing by Nella Larsen engages with the theme identity. Before proceeding, it is worth defining identity in order to understand how that definition does and does not work in the analysis of Passing. According to the Oxford dictionary, identity means ‘the fact of being who or what a person or thing is’, it is ‘the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is’. A person retains a sense of self identity, or a sense that they belong in a culture or people. The characters in Passing do not adhere to this definition. Larsen explores the complex issue of racial identity and identification in her novel Passing. The novel not only refers to the sociological occurrence of blacks passing as white peoples, but it signifies the loss of racial identity. Even though they are trying to tolerate identities appointed to them by society, they have lost a sense of belonging; they are detached and isolated from their race. With the abrupt ending of the two protagonists failing, Larsen illustrates that ‘passing’, while useful in order to gain acceptance, ultimately limits a person’s independence to the extent of death.
To conclude, the three major symbols throughout this novel are coming of age, jealousy and identity. The theme of identity was shown by the deep desire that Gene had to become more like Finny. Next, jealousy was displayed in A Separate Peace throughout the friendship of Gene and Finny. Third, coming of age was shown during the preparation for war and also the maturing of the boys who were currently attending Devon prep school. This novel has many common themes that people in the world have today such as jealousy. There are many people all over the world that are jealous of others surrounding them whether it is their own family member or even a close friend. Whether it is real life or a book coming of age, jealousy and identity are themes that everybody faces throughout their lifetime.
In Conclusion, Both authors has struggled with self identity and/or confidence growing up; but they did not let negativity ruin the path to success and becoming comfortable within the skin their
That concludes this paper I am extremely tired and may be figuratively or literally dying of thirst at the moment. I do want to end this by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed “A&P” and that out of all the stories we’ve read this semester “A&P” is my favorite by far. The story incorporates in the reader in such an organic way that you start to believe you are one with Sammy. John Updike does an amazing job of exploring the mind of an adolescent male and describing everything in the process. I can continue, but as I stated earlier I’m tired so I bid you
In the story “Two Kinds”, the author, Amy Tan, intends to make reader think of the meaning behind the story. She doesn’t speak out as an analyzer to illustrate what is the real problem between her and her mother. Instead, she uses her own point of view as a narrator to state what she has experienced and what she feels in her mind all along the story. She has not judged what is right or wrong based on her opinion. Instead of giving instruction of how to solve a family issue, the author chooses to write a narrative diary containing her true feeling toward events during her childhood, which offers reader not only a clear account, but insight on how the narrator feels frustrated due to failing her mother’s expectations which leads to a large conflict between the narrator and her mother.
Both Willa Cather’s and John Updike’s early life experiences in discovering their identities reflect in their short stories, “Paul’s Case” and the “A&P”. Born into a strict family, Willa Cather could express the harsh expectations of teenagers through her protagonist, Paul. Willa
A main theme in this novel is the influence of family relationships in the quest for individual identity. Our family or lack thereof, as children, ultimately influences the way we feel as adults, about ourselves and about others. The effects on us mold our personalities and as a result influence our identities. This story shows us the efforts of struggling black families who transmit patterns and problems that have a negative impact on their family relationships. These patterns continue to go unresolved and are eventually inherited by their children who will also accept this way of life as this vicious circle continues.