The common theme in both stories, is coming of age. In the two stories, the main character was dealing with peer pressure and eventually, the characters realized that they could be independent and make their own decisions. In the story “Initiation,” Millicent was going through initiation to be part of the group. To get in, she had to do everything Bev wanted. However, Millicent realized that she didn’t want to be part of the group because “there were other ways of getting into the great hall, blazing with lights, of people and of life.” This shows that she realized there are other ways of living. Similarly, in “The Cave,” Charley was expected to be part of a gang, however, he realized that he didn’t want to. When Charley met George, he saw