The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin

Those of us that have celebrated those magical birthdays between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one can all share our “coming-of-age” stories; the tales of how we defined ourselves to be grown-ups and independent of our parents or guardians’ care. The transition from adolescence into adulthood varies all around the world. If you were like me and born in the United States, adulthood is recognized by the government once you turn eighteen years old. Although, in this culture, once you turn eighteen perhaps your parents recognized it for you and sent you to college or go into the world and find your own way. Elsewhere in the world, different cultures and religions around the world set their own mark to when they believe this metamorphosis takes place. This can be heavily influenced by one’s parents, religion or through traditional ceremonies or rituals.

I recently explored two coming-of-age stories of William Kamkwamba and James Baldwin. The first memoir I read, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind…” written by William Kamkwamba tells the story of being raised during the 1990s and early 2000s in the country of Malawi, a small country in southeast Africa. Malawi is a place where luxuries or opportunities are scarce and where people still rely on magic or witchcraft. Kamkwamba’s father, a maize and tobacco farmer, taught him from an early age the importance of providing for one’s self and one’s family. Kamkwamba was close to his father who was also a devout Christian and he always served as a source of guidance and inspiration for his entire family which also consisted of Kamkwamba’s mother and six sisters. In Malawi, farming is the primary means of survival, and as a male it is customary for fathers to pass down the practices of farming t...

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...ade in my life as well as how I view authority. I also, without reason, have resented those who have attempted to get close to me and play the role of a father figure. I feel that my transition into adulthood was more drawn out over time through various experiences on my own instead of one defining moment. Because of this I found myself having a special relationship of compassion and understanding with these two texts as it has given me insight to what I think, a fatherly relationship should be.

Works Cited

Kamkwamba, William, and Bryan Mealer. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope. New York: HarperCollins, 2009. Print.

Baldwin, James. “Notes of a Native Son.” (1955): Rpt. In The Writer’s Presence: A pool of Readings. 6th ed. Ed. McQuade, Donald, and Robert Atwan. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 33-49. Print.