Coming Of Age Quotes

Coming of age is a life-changing experience, a turning point where innocence is exchanged for self-awareness and the desire for personal development. "If You Come Softly" is a novel that introduces two teenage lovers who have to deal with real-world problems because of their different races, and the author shows how the characters perspectives change through the course of the novel. In the novel "If You Come Softly" by Jacqueline Woodson, it shows how Ellie and Miah’s perspectives change about the world to convey the theme that coming-of-age experiences can affect one's personality.

The coming-of-age experience immensely shapes Ellie's perspective of the world, leading to a shift in her beliefs, values, and understanding of social dynamics.

The quote showcases Ellie's growing maturity as she acknowledges her own naivety and the shortcomings of her previous beliefs. She was able to experience racism when spending time with Jeremiah, which opened her eyes about society and how it can be very cruel towards black people. The quote also implies a sense of regret for her previous naivety, indicating that Ellie has come to see the problem of racial issues. But as the story progresses, Ellie becomes much more mature and does not rely on anyone else like she has in the past to help defend Jeremiah. It is stated that "Last Saturday, after they left the library, he and Ellie had been walking alone down Fifth Avenue holding hands when these white boys started acting stupid—saying stuff like "jungle fever" and "who turned out the lights?" Miah had clenched his jaw and held tighter to Ellie's hand. Walk through the rain, Ellie had said (136). Ellie witnesses racist comments made by a group of white boys, and her response demonstrates her maturity and empathy. Instead of ignoring the situation or responding with anger, Ellie suggests walking through the rain, indicating her desire to shield Jeremiah from the hurtful comments and protect him from further judgment.

During the beginning of the novel, Jeremiah does not understand himself; it states that "all the things people had always said to him—yeah, he'd heard them again and again. But sometimes, looking in the mirror, he had no idea who he was or why he was in this world" (11). Jeremiah's struggle to understand his own identity and purpose signifies a deep longing for self-understanding and a search for meaning beyond the racism he experiences. Throughout the course of the novel, Jeremiah's journey towards maturity involves the exploration of his identity beyond stereotypes. Through his relationship with Ellie, he learns to be more accepting of himself. Being accepting of himself showcases his maturity in the novel. Coming of age changed the way Jeremiah felt about himself, and he feels much more comfortable in his own skin. Near the end of the novel, Jeremiah has gained a new perspective on life and wants to continue his basketball dream while being with Ellie. In the novel, it states, "But he couldn’t stop. He was too close. He was going for that layup again. This time, he’d make it. Two points was all the team needed, and he’d make those two points and be a hero" (171). Near the end of the novel, Jeremiah is finally accepting who he is and who he wants to be when he grows up. He wants to be identified as a hero; he wants to make Ellie and