In the following literature selections, individuals experience rites of passage in various ways:
"The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell
"Oranges" by Gary Soto
from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
"First Lesson" by Phillip Booth (Standard course only)
"On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
"Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde
from My Forbidden Face by Latifa
"The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst (Standard course only)
"My Brother's Keeper" by Jay Bennett
from Riding the Bus with my Sister by Rachel Simon (Foundations course only)
Choose at least two of the selections above and write about the rites of passage that individuals in the selections confront. Provide evidence by including names of characters as well as specific details from the text to
support your claim.
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In the short story "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell, the main character, an unnamed teenage boy, faces a rite of passage as he navigates the complexities of adolescence and first love. The story takes place during a summer vacation, when the boy becomes infatuated with a girl named Sheila Mant. He believes that taking her on a date will mark his transition into adulthood, as he feels that he needs to prove himself to her and to himself.
Throughout the story, the boy struggles with the conflict between his love for fishing and his desire to impress Sheila. He goes on a canoe trip with her, but he also wants to catch a large bass that he has been pursuing for years. During the trip, the boy is faced with a choice: to impress and win over Sheila by keeping the line and potentially losing the fish, or to prioritize his passion for fishing and risk losing Sheila's interest.
This choice symbolizes the boy's transition from childhood to adulthood, as he must decide what is truly important to him. In the end, he chooses to let go of the fish, sacrificing his desire to catch it in order to keep Sheila entertained and interested. This decision represents his willingness to prioritize the potential future of his relationship with Sheila over his own personal desires.
Another rite of passage is depicted in the poem "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins. The speaker in the poem reflects on the experience of reaching the age of ten and the realization that he is becoming older. The poem explores the bittersweet emotions that come with growing up, as the speaker mourns the loss of his childhood innocence and sense of wonder.
The speaker mentions specific details from his childhood, such as his belief in magical powers and his collection of toys. These details serve as reminders of the speaker's transition into adolescence, as he begins to let go of his imagination and embrace the realities of the adult world. The poem captures the universal experience of maturing and confronting the passage of time, as the speaker grapples with the conflicting emotions of excitement and nostalgia.
Both of these selections depict rites of passage that individuals go through as they navigate the complexities of growing up. Whether it is sacrificing personal desires to prioritize relationships or reflecting on the loss of childhood innocence, these experiences serve as milestones in the process of maturation.
Among the literature selections listed, two stories that depict individuals experiencing rites of passage are "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell and "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst.
In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the protagonist, an unnamed teenage boy, undergoes a significant rite of passage related to his first infatuation and the choices he must make. Throughout the story, the boy becomes infatuated with Sheila Mant, a beautiful and popular girl who is older and seemingly out of his league. This infatuation puts the boy in a position where he must decide between his love for fishing and impressing Sheila. The climax of the story occurs when the boy has the chance to catch a trophy-sized bass while on a date with Sheila. However, he chooses to sacrifice this opportunity in order to impress Sheila by pretending that he is not interested in fishing. This moment demonstrates his transition from boyhood to young adulthood, as he prioritizes the pursuit of romantic attention over his passion for fishing.
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the rite of passage is portrayed through the relationship between the narrator and his younger brother, Doodle. Doodle is born with physical disabilities, causing the narrator to feel embarrassed and frustrated by his brother's limitations. Throughout the story, the narrator's coming of age is characterized by his internal struggle to accept and support Doodle. The pivotal moment occurs when the narrator pushes Doodle too hard during a storm, resulting in Doodle's exhaustion and eventual death. This tragic event serves as a painful rite of passage for the narrator, as he realizes the consequences of his selfishness and the importance of accepting and cherishing his brother as he is.
Both of these stories highlight the rites of passage experienced by the protagonists. In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the teenage boy navigates the complexities of first love and the choices he must make to impress Sheila. In "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator confronts his own pride and learns the harsh lessons of acceptance and empathy through his relationship with his disabled brother. The rites of passage depicted in these stories serve as transformative moments, where the characters are compelled to confront their personal growth and the consequences of their actions.