1. Coming of Age Stories

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Sometimes the stories contain
An initiation, trial, or rite of passage
Religious ceremony, membership in a club, birthday, etc.

6. Sometimes the stories contain
An epiphany… a sudden realization of truth about him/herself or the world
Seeing the world for what it really is or people for who they are
An epiphany is sometimes called an “aha” moment.

7. Sometimes the stories contain
Loss of innocence
Common symbols are fruit, gardens/forests, purity that has spoiled or gone rotten

8. Sometimes the stories contain
A journey
A real or symbolic one

9. Cassie is our protagonist.
Look for her
Growth
Clashes with society
Rite of passage
Epiphany
Journey