AGES
150 POINTS
Topic: Coming of Age
Introductions:
Answer the question in your words- What is “coming of age”?
There comes a time is each person's life when they reach the point where they are no longer children,
but adults. The transition from a child into a young adult is often referred to as the "coming of age," or
growing up. The time when this transition occurs is different in everyone, since everyone is an individual
and no two people are alike. Certain children reach this stage through a tragic, painful event which
affects them to such extent that they are completely changed. Other children reach this time by simply
growing older and having a better understanding of the world around them. The coming of age really is
indefinite and cannot be marked in general overview. This stage in life is one of the most important and
most popular themes in literature. The “coming of age” theme
Step 1: Choose a “coming of age” novel from the list below or choose your own “coming of age” novel.
Be sure to have your teacher pre-approve it. You can not select a novel that you have already read.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Lord of the Flies by William Gerald Golding
October Sky by Homer H. Hickam
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
The Help by KathrynStockett
Step 2:
Read your “coming of age” novel.
Step 3:
Write an analytical essay (three to five pages double -spaced)addressing one or more of the
following prompts that displays an in-depth knowledge of the novel and its themes. You must have
your topic approved by your teacher.
DURATION: 10 PERIODS
AGES
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150 POINTS
What are the parallels between the themes in novels with other coming of age tales (ex. movies,
novels, personal experiences)?
Analyze how and if the protagonists and antagonists have evolved over the course of the novel.
Were there any purely good or bad characters in the novel, or were their behaviors dictated by
the situation? Was it a combination of both?
How did the events shape the evolution of one or more of the characters?
Describe the life philosophy of one of the characters in the novel using specific evidence from the
novel to support your analysis.
Guidelines to Help You Write Your Essay:
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Assume that both you and the reader have read the novel.
o
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An analytical essay is not a summary. Do not just retell the story.
An analytical essay breaks the content of the material into components or parts in order
to get a complete understanding of its meaning.
o Your analysis may not be identical to someone else’s idea of the novel, but, if
your investigation is logical, believable, and well-defended, it will be well
received.
Closure:
Share your paragraph with your fellow classmates.
DURATION: 10 PERIODS