Coming Of Age Literature

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Humans experience an array of milestones in their lives. A child waddling into their first day of kindergarten, a teenager marching across stage to receive their diploma, and a woman walking down the aisle, are all events that people look forward to. But one stepping stone that is always forgotten is when a child transitions into an adult. Coined as “coming of age”, it is when a person comes into themselves. In literature, coming of age is just as important as it is in real life. It gives dimension and connectability to characters. Coming of age is a crucial part in a character’s development because it allows them to separate themselves from their childhood and assimilate themselves in the adult world .
There is a time in every child’s life when …show more content…
Not only did her success reaffirm the idea that she is worthy, but it sparked a purpose in her. She was able to make her own money and spend it how she pleased. Celie could rely solely on herself. This marks a huge transition for her. Most of her life was spent under the thumb of abusers and now, she could be independent. When she had first met Shug, she had remarked that, “Mr. not going to let his wife wear pants” (Walker 146). Celie could not even imagine herself wearing pants, let alone making them. They were yet another thing that she could not have. But after she was allowed to grow, she saw the pants as liberation. After Mr.____ had asked her about the business she confessed that, “I really started it right here in your house to keep from killing you” (Walker 258). Here, a woman who was once afraid to look a man in the eyes, is talking to one as if he was an equal. She speaks with raw truth and honesty, something that was kept from her. For Celie, the pants business is akin to a child going off to college. It is their first time on their own. It is Celie’s first time as an independent

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