Bildungsroman Coming of Age Stories

What is Bildungsroman? The growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood (coming of age), in which character change is extremely important. A Bildungsroman relates the growing up or "coming of age" of a sensitive person who goes in search of answers to life's questions with the expectation that these will result from gaining experience of the world. The genre evolved from folklore tales of a dunce or youngest son going out in the world to seek his fortune. Usually in the beginning of the story there is an emotional loss which makes the protagonist leave on his journey.

What is Bildungsroman? Cont’d The goal is maturity, and the protagonist achieves it gradually and with difficulty. The genre often features a main conflict between the main character and society. Typically, the values of society are gradually accepted by the protagonist and he/she is ultimately accepted into society — the protagonist's mistakes and disappointments are over. In some works, the protagonist is able to reach out and help others after having achieved maturity. In film, coming of age is a genre of teen films. Coming-of-age films focus on the psychological and moral growth or transition of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. Personal growth and change is an important characteristic of this genre, which relies on dialogue and emotional responses, rather than action. The main character is typically male, around mid-teen and the story is often told in the form of a flashback.

Sometimes called a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story focuses on the following: A protagonist who is Socially or psychologically maturing Receiving an “education” but not just in a traditional school

The character’s growth begins when He/she is faced with loss or discovery… Character may lose innocence Character may struggle with knowledge that the adult world is complex Character may find the “absolutes” of childhood no longer exist ( there is not always a right or wrong answer)

The character’s growth is shown by Clashes between what he/she wants and rules of society The character trying to establish his/her own rules The character trying to become an active participant in the world

Sometimes the stories contain: An initiation, trial, or rite of passage Religious ceremony, membership in a club, birthday, etc. An epiphany (aka “aha” moment)… a sudden realization of truth about him/herself or the world sometimes includes seeing the world for what it really is or people for who they are Loss of innocence Common symbols are fruit, gardens/forests, purity that has spoiled or gone rotten A journey A real or symbolic one

The Breakfast Club as a Bildungsroman What are some of the conventions (widely used and accepted devices, practices, or techniques) of coming-of-age films that The Breakfast Club exemplifies in style, subject matter, and values? What conventions of style in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? Why? What conventions of subject matter in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? What conventions of morals/themes/values in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? What lessons does The Breakfast Club teach or what behaviors does the film approve? How are teenagers portrayed in this coming-of-age film? Where do they belong in this setting, and what is their central conflict? Why? How is this film a product of its sociocultural context (when and where it was made)?