Growing up and coming of age is a universal theme that resonates with individuals as they navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a time of self-discovery, transformation, and the acquisition of wisdom and maturity. This journey is often marked by a series of pivotal experiences and challenges that test one's resilience, shape their identity, and define their future. The three stories, Too Soon A Woman, The Challenge, and President Cleveland Where are You all demonstrate this properly. Too Soon A Woman is a story about a young girl named Mary who temporarily stays with a family and takes care of the family’s young children. The Challenge is about a young boy named Jose who has a crush on a girl named Estela. President Cleveland Where are You is about a young boy named Jerry who learns the important things in life through the things he is willing to sacrifice for his family. Through all three stories, we are able to see how each character grows and matures.
The function of a story structure is to provide a framework that organizes and guides the narrative, allowing it to unfold in a coherent and engaging manner. Story structure serves as the backbone of a story, ensuring that it has a logical progression and a satisfying resolution. It also helps to amplify the impact of the story's main themes and messages, allowing for deeper exploration and understanding. The structure of a story is the main stream that brings all the plots together in the end. It also showcases the characters’ growth throughout the story. At first, Mary, from Too Soon A Woman, relies on the family for support. In the end, as the plot unfolds, we are able to see that she changed and proves her reliability to the family and earns the trust of the father. In The Challenge, the story structure shows the change of attitude of Jose. At first, he doesn’t admit that he is weak, but as the plot unfolds, he understands and accepts reality, showing his maturity. Jerry, at the beginning of the story, is selfish and self centered, but as the structure of the story is unfolded, we see that he understands sacrifices much more and is much more mature. The function of a story structure is to provide a framework that organizes the narrative, creates tension, maintains interest, and amplifies the impact of the story's themes. The function of a story serves as a storytelling tool that ensures a compelling and fulfilling experience for both the creator and the audience.
A character’s change throughout the story can reflect the theme of the story and story flow. How a character acts and their choices as the story moves on can often slowly reveal the theme/message the author is trying to convey. In The Challenge, Jose has many failed attempts to get Estela’s attention. These failed attempts create irony in the story, as whatever Jose does, he fails. Throughout the story, Jose also realizes the importance of being honest and being yourself which are both major themes in the story. Jerry’s change throughout the story builds to the themes of selfishness, sacrifices, and love for family. At first, he is selfish and doesn’t want to sacrifice his own needs for his family, but as he grows throughout the story, he starts to understand that he has to make sacrifices for his family because he loves them, which builds to the theme of sacrifices, and love for family. In all these examples, the main character’s action somehow ties to the major theme or a major theme. A character’s action and growth can shape a story and tell the readers a message and convey the theme of the story.
Conflicts that are consistently enclosed within the theme of growing up serve as powerful vehicles for exploration and personal development. The process of maturing and navigating adolescence is often a tumultuous journey filled with various internal and external conflicts. These conflicts can encompass a wide range of experiences, such as the struggle to find one's identity, the tension between conformity and individuality, or the challenges of understanding and reconciling with one's emotions. Jose from The Challenge struggles to show who he truly is to others with confidence. His story also shows the struggles of acting based on one’s emotions. He likes Estela, but struggles to tell her. Another prominent conflict in the theme of growing up revolves around the desire for independence versus the need for guidance and support. At first, Mary needs the support of the family, however, by the end of the story, she is able to be trusted by other adults and proves herself reliable and independent. Becoming mature/growing up also means being able to make choices. Jerry experiences this as he is forced to choose between himself or his family. These conflicts provide opportunities for growth, self-reflection, and the development of resilience and character. They offer valuable life lessons and teach the importance of perseverance, self-discovery, and self-acceptance. Conflicts within the theme of growing up serve to illustrate the universal challenges that individuals face when transitioning into adulthood.
The process of growing up is rife with poignant moments of self-reflection, self-doubt, and moments of clarity. It is a period marked by immense personal growth, where individuals strive to find their place in the world, pushing themselves to overcome obstacles, and ultimately emerge as confident, empathetic, and well-rounded individuals. The Challenge, Too Soon A Woman, and President Cleveland Where are You are all perfect examples of growing up and maturing. The theme of growing up and coming of age encapsulates the universal longing for self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the pursuit of a fulfilling and authentic life. As individuals mature, they are confronted with new responsibilities, independence, and complex emotions. They grapple with defining their values, beliefs, and ideals, while also forging meaningful relationships based on trust, love, and understanding.
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