Coming of Age

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“You’re becoming a man (or woman),” is a phrase that is often used by parents. Although it sounds weird, it’s a great feeling. How does that feeling come about? It isn’t necessarily just given out to each and every person in the world. Even though it may seem free, nothing is ever free. Fortunately, it doesn’t always come with a negative cost. In the story, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the author uses imagery in order to portray the theme that coming of age happens through events that involve a conflict and resolution.
Nearly everybody in the United States has gone to school due to the fact that it is required by law. The first day is always big. At that age, it seems to be the best day in the world. Little kids feel like big kids who have more freedom. School is obviously a contribution to one’s coming of age. As Scout is narrating the story nearing the first day of her school career, she remarks, “Jem condescended to take me to school the first day, a job usually done by one’s parents, but Atticus had said Jem would be delighted to show me where my room was” (Lee 20). The painted image of the sarcastic face of Atticus towards Jem in their conflict with each other and confused young Scout allows the reader to understand that Atticus clearly does not want to witness his little girl growing up like most dads and their daughters. Due to the fact that Scout is not being taken to school by her father, the process of coming of age is accelerated. Normally, it is a smaller step but in the way that she willingly accepts the fact that Jem is taking her it allows her independence and womanhood to shine. Next, while Jem explains the new rules of school to Scout, she questions, “’You mean we can’t play any more?’” (Lee 21). After J...

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...t the right ones but whatever happens, happens. This contributes to their coming of age because they grow up through experiencing this conflict.
The truth about the world that we live in is that the fictional world that Scout, Jem, and Dill is not that different. When we experience different things, we learn from them whether it is in a positive way or a negative way. Although learning it can sometimes be harsh, it always gives us insight on what will happen if the same thing or a similar thing occurs again. As we go through life and receive this insight, we grow in knowledge and begin to act more “adult-like”. Everyday holds something new to learn after experiencing some sort of conflict, and through imagery in Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author is able to show the reader that the resolution is a learning experience for the next time something happens.

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