Coming Of Age In The Body By Stephen King

1522 Words4 Pages

Your age doesn't determine how or if you are coming of age, Your mindset and mentality to move forward determines that. The Novella “The Body” by Stephen King is about a group of boys who all come from abusive, dysfunctional families and this book is their journey to discover a dead body. They are young and their immaturity makes them excited to see a dead body, but along the way, they begin to realize various things and begin to grow. In this book, the four boys Gordie, Chris, Vern, and Teddy come of age. In this essay, there will be brief descriptions about three of the four of the boys from this novella. Chris came from a bad family and was thought to come out the exact same way as his family and was doubted his whole life. Teddy came from …show more content…

Right after Chris was jumped by his brother and the police came after him, Chris says, “tell her,’Chris said implacably,’ to do it right away. Unless she maybe wants my brother to go to jail”(431). After being beaten by his older brother, Chris was able to forgive him and still want to protect him from being arrested. Chris was able to forgive his brother even after being jumped by him. Despite what his brother did he still protected him from being arrested, This is a sign of Chris coming of age because he was able to be mature despite what happened and show his brother forgiveness and protect him. Chris comes of age because when his brother jumps him, he has his childhood torn away from him, but matures through this process which meets the definition of coming of age exactly. Also, King talks about what Chris’ family is like at home. King states, “Chris came from a bad family, all right, and everyone thought he would turn out bad’(307). Chris came from a bad family and this led everyone to believe that since his family was bad that he would turn out just like them. Despite being underestimated by everyone who knows him, Chris was able to overcome being doubted and avoid every chance of being like his family. Including not drinking, avoiding issues and protecting his family. In conclusion, King was able to show through …show more content…

Throughout the book and these kids, journey to find the body they were all able to discover key parts in coming of age. King was able to point out key factors about how these kids were able to do so and the main points we’re that these kids despite coming from dysfunctional families and being stripped of their childhood they were able to grow up throughout the book and forgive and be able to move on from huge parts of their life. These kids have been through a lot and they were able to come face to face with these issues and be able to move forward. These are things that many people struggle with in life is being able to identify the root of their hurt and being able to move forward. Many people struggle with this and get stuck in the past. King was able to let him realize how to let down the barriers and be able to overcome these issues and be able to move

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