Coming of age influences young minds
Mia Saco
English 1 Period 8
March 20th, 2023 Have you ever connected with the protagonist of a book and later developed a relationship with them throughout their story? In coming-of-age stories, the author is able to create a certain connection with the reader based on the thematic lessons. Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis features an Iranian girl who had to mature in a time of revolt, with gender norms and expectations and social class being of some importance. Scout, another protagonist, struggles with her self-confidence and being discriminated against by people who disagree with her. Throughout their life stories, readers see the struggle they face due to their lack of freedom.
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Dubose, who yelled at her, "What are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grow up waiting on tables if somebody doesn’t change their ways!" (Lee, 118) Due to the Scout community, she develops feelings of worthlessness and continues to feel like she doesn’t fit in, which causes a change in her mindset. Scout will eventually begin to lose confidence and her identity due to the harsh comments made to her at such a young age that will stick with her forever. The theme of "coming of age’ can help impact and shape young readers' identities and mindsets by creating a character they can learn from and relate to. Whether it is towards being included in a minority or adapting to the character because they lost confidence and later regained …show more content…
In "Coming of Age" books, the readers are able to view the discrimination amongst minority groups. Not just by their physical appearance or culture but also by stereotypes within the social classes. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the readers witness the mistreatment of Tom Robinson, who is an African American man accused of raping Mayella Ewell. An African American man of lower classes and social status is abused and manipulated because of his expected lack of education, which is due to the social class and minority he is in. His mindset is caused by the mental and physical abuse he receives as a black man in Alabama. Which influences his actions that he takes due to his race. In Persepolis, Marji’s parents had to send Mariji away because of the dangers their social class was in. Also including the revolt against the Shah and the new laws placed among women that helped the parents' decisions to send her away for a better