Mariam Ebrahimi English WR 301: Ms. Hutchenson October 8, 2024 Reader-Response #7 The Reflection of the Beginnings of Adolescence Audience: Young adults and those reflecting on their own formative experiences with love and identity. In Steve Edwards' essay, "Seventeen," the author explores the complexities of young love, identity, and the challenges of self-discovery amid societal expectations. This essay is particularly interesting for me as for the protagonist as he feels for Rachel. He is filled with the lust of young love, intertwined with confusion and embarrassment. Thesis: This essay highlights that the path to understanding oneself is filled with obstacles, especially when intertwined with the pressures of growing up. As I slowly went through the piece, my mind …show more content…
This touched me personally, as I have always cherished family traditions and those small things that denote love. When the protagonist admitted that he “hardly even knew what [his dad] did there all day long,” Edwards speaks of a disconnection, one that resonates with my own journey of discovering the familial dynamics in my life. This contrast turns out to be one that makes a statement about how our histories influence our emotional reactions and relationships, and it made me think of replacing my own family upbringing with my current and future relationships. The protagonist's experience at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium is very relevant to me. His desire to escape and get involved in life is evident from his thought: “What if instead of being passive and private and cautious, I became joyful and engaged with life like these people I was meeting?” (Edwards). This has mirrored the occasions when I had awakenings in this self-seeking search for connection and experience. I remember up until now, when I felt similarly inspired to explore new ideas and perspectives, only to later feel guilt about leaving behind familiar comforts.