Coming to age

COMING TO AGEBy: Mike Turrie

3rd Block

OVERVIEW

Growing up

Becoming mature

Acting appropriate

Through experiences

NOVELS

A Separate Peace

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

A SEPARATE PEACE

During World War I

Main character Gene

Misjudges situation at beginning

“Grows up” by approaching situations correctly the next time

“I never killed anybody and I

never developed an intense level of

hatred for the enemy. Because

my war ended before I ever put

on a uniform…”

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN

Francie Nolan – main character lived life in poverty

“Tree of Heaven” in front yard, grows no matter where seed is planted

Francie overcomes her background to become successful

Does this by being mature and being herself

“Some people

called it the Tree

of Heaven. No

matter where its

seed fell, it made a

tree which

struggled to reach

the sky.”

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER

Tom Sawyer does not accept consequences for actions

• Cannot control freedom

Tom learns through experience that freedom is powerful

Giving up freedom is not growing up, but learning how to use it correctly

"Tom was a glittering hero once more—the pet of the old, the envy of the young. His name even went into immortal print, for the village paper magnified him. There were some that believed he would be President, yet, if he escaped hanging"

TOM SAWYER PART II

Tom also does not take responsibility for his actions

Friends look to him as leader during troublesome situations

Tom grows as the leader and cares for his friends

Whenever he puts them in a situation, Tom finds a way out

Mature as the leader and accepting responsibility

"Aunt Polly it ain't fair. Somebody's gotta be glad to see Huck."