What exactly is the purpose of teenage reinvention? Does it exist out of necessity for growth, or merely to fit in with a developed crowd? These questions are explored in Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead, through the coming-of-age story of a 15-year-old black male named Benji. Benji reinvents himself in countless ways to stray from the past version of himself after moving to a more upscale, preppy town outside the city. This does not only include small details about himself like his nickname, but larger aspects like how he acts and appears to others. Though pertaining more to racial and socioeconomic themes, much of Benji’s story is relatable to the general teenage crowd, as almost all young people experience a longing to fit in and appear desirable …show more content…
However, after meeting people who accept me wholeheartedly, I also found that it is not worth losing the unique parts of yourself to avoid having people talk behind your back. At Bucknell, I expect that my confidence will allow me to remain strong in my strong, lively personality. However, I do expect small shifts in my quirks and habits due to being away from home and with new people for so long. For example, I may pick up new words or phrases from my roommate, or adjust my lifestyle to fit the environment of our room. Much like Benji’s story, a large portion of my childhood was shaped by media, including music and movies. For example, an artist that means a lot to me as a person is Lana Del Rey, as she has always spoken to my emotions and has shaped me stylistically, both singing and fashion-wise. A movie that has shaped me into the person I am since childhood was Grease, which fostered my love of everything vintage and helped me to grow a passion for musicals and performing. Additionally, the TV show Gravity Falls was a favorite of my brother’s and mine, which sparked our curiosity and pushed us into our adventurous