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.
One of the selections that depicts a rite of passage is "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell. In this story, the protagonist, who remains unnamed, experiences a coming-of-age moment during a fishing trip with Sheila Mant, the girl he has a crush on. Throughout the story, the protagonist struggles with his conflicting desires of impressing Sheila and maintaining his passion for fishing. This internal conflict reaches its climax when he has the opportunity to choose between catching a small bass or continuing to impress Sheila.
The protagonist's rite of passage is evident when he ultimately decides to let go of the bass instead of impressing Sheila. The text states, "I took out my penknife and reached over to cut the line above the hook. I hauled him through the water, listening to the grown-up roar of the river clear into my heart, and when I held him under for an instant I loved him."
This moment symbolizes the protagonist's transition from seeking validation from others, in this case, Sheila, to embracing his own passions and values. By willingly letting go of the bass, the protagonist demonstrates his maturity and understanding of what truly matters to him.
Another selection that portrays a rite of passage is Maya Angelou's memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." In this autobiography, Angelou details her childhood experiences growing up in a racially segregated society. One specific rite of passage can be seen when Angelou attends her eighth-grade graduation ceremony.
During the graduation, Angelou is chosen to deliver the class poem, "A Brave and Startling Truth." Despite her fear and anxiety, Angelou finds the courage to stand up and recite the poem flawlessly. This moment marks a significant coming-of-age experience for Angelou as she conquers her self-doubt and finds her voice.
The text describes Angelou's empowering experience: "All these, I gathered, were about us—all the living, all the dead—all bundled and baked into one beautiful poem." This passage signifies Angelou's realization that her words have the power to unite and inspire others.
In both these selections, individuals confront rites of passage that lead them to personal growth and self-discovery. The protagonist in "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" sacrifices his desire for validation in order to stay true to himself, while Maya Angelou's graduation ceremony in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" highlights her ability to overcome her fears and find her voice. These rites of passage not only shape the characters but also serve as powerful moments of transformation and enlightenment.
In the literature selections provided, two selections that showcase individuals experiencing rites of passage are "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell and "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins.
In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the protagonist, a young boy, faces a rite of passage when he must make a choice between catching a fish he loves or impressing the girl he has a crush on. The boy's pursuit of Sheila Mant represents his transition from childhood innocence to the complexities of adolescence. Evidence of this rite of passage can be found when the boy describes his realization, saying, "My self-image swam away like the bass...It was replaced by a savage awareness that I was still a child, that I was not destined to be Sheila Mant's summer romance."
In "On Turning Ten," the speaker reflects on the rite of passage of transitioning from childhood to early adolescence. The poem explores the loss of innocence and the realization of growing older. Specific details that support this claim include the lines, "It seems only yesterday I used to believe / there was nothing under my skin but light" and "I begin to understand that I was never / meant to be a child."
Both selections, "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" and "On Turning Ten," illustrate the rites of passage experienced by individuals as they navigate the challenges of maturity, facing the loss of innocence and the complexities of growing up.