n 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.
In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell, the protagonist is faced with a rite of passage related to his love for fishing and his infatuation with Sheila Mant. The main character, who remains unnamed, struggles with a conflict between his passion for fishing and his desire to impress Sheila, a popular and attractive girl. This conflict is especially evident when he has the opportunity to take out Sheila on a boat ride, but must sacrifice catching a large bass that he has been determined to catch all summer.
The protagonist's internal conflict demonstrates his struggle to navigate the transition from childhood to adolescence. The moment where he has to choose between catching the bass or impressing Sheila becomes a symbolic rite of passage. He ultimately decides to cut the fishing line and let the bass go, showing his willingness to prioritize Sheila's opinion of him over his individual passion.
Similarly, in "Oranges" by Gary Soto, the protagonist experiences a rite of passage related to young love and the transition from childhood to adolescence. The main character, a young boy, goes on a date with a girl named Teresa, whom he is infatuated with. Throughout the poem, the protagonist navigates the complexities of this first date, symbolizing the transition from childhood innocence to adolescent romance.
One specific detail that supports this claim is the mention of the protagonist buying a candy bar and "a nickel's worth of [orange] hard candy." These small purchases show his desire to impress Teresa and demonstrate a willingness to embrace the rites of passage associated with dating. Additionally, the protagonist's nervousness and self-consciousness during the date reflect his wrestling with the unfamiliar emotions and responsibilities that come with romantic relationships.
Both "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" and "Oranges" illustrate how individuals confront rites of passage associated with the transition from childhood to adolescence. These passages involve making difficult decisions, prioritizing newfound desires and responsibilities, and navigating interpersonal relationships.
In the literature selections mentioned, several characters experience rites of passage in different ways. Two selections that prominently feature characters going through significant transitions are "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell and "Oranges" by Gary Soto.
In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the main character, who remains unnamed, goes through a rite of passage related to adolescence and growing up. He is infatuated with Sheila Mant, a girl who represents the world of popularity and social acceptance. The protagonist wants to impress her and show her his worth, which leads him to make difficult choices. One specific detail that supports this claim is when the protagonist decides to let go of a big bass he has caught, sacrificing his personal achievement for a chance to connect with Sheila. This action symbolizes the character prioritizing the transition from self-centered desires to understanding the importance of others and their impression on his own growth.
Similarly, in "Oranges" by Gary Soto, the main character faces a rite of passage linked to young love and self-discovery. The protagonist, a young boy, goes on a date with a girl he likes, described as "the girl with the bright eyes." Throughout the story, the character reveals his insecurities and the turmoil of navigating a new relationship. As they walk together, holding hands, the protagonist becomes aware of his emotions and insecurities, recognizing that this experience is a significant step towards maturity. One specific detail that supports this is the moment when the protagonist buys the girl an orange at the store, symbolizing his desire to share something meaningful and express affection. This gesture signifies his transition into a more emotionally aware and considerate individual.
These selections illustrate how rites of passage can manifest in different ways, but they often involve themes of self-discovery, transitions, and personal growth. Both characters confront challenges and make choices that shape their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
To analyze the rites of passage in the literature selections, let's choose two of the texts: "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 main character, the narrator, experiences a rite of passage as he navigates his coming-of-age journey. The specific rite of passage this character confronts is the transition from childhood innocence to adult realization. The narrator is infatuated with Sheila Mant, a girl who represents maturity and sophistication to him. As the story progresses, the narrator faces a dilemma: he catches a big bass while on a date with Sheila Mant but can only keep one. In a moment of self-realization, he decides to release the bass, symbolizing his transition towards maturity and the loss of his childhood innocence.
In "The Scarlet Ibis," the rite of passage is presented through the relationship between the narrator and his younger brother, referred to as Doodle. The narrator experiences a gradual understanding of the responsibility and burden that comes with being an older sibling. Doodle, who suffers from physical disabilities, becomes the object of the narrator's ambition to shape him into a "normal" brother. As the story progresses, the narrator pushes Doodle beyond his limits, aiming to teach him how to walk. However, this pressure on Doodle eventually leads to tragedy, as Doodle is unable to meet the expectations placed upon him, resulting in his untimely death. The narrator's realization of his own actions and their consequences represents his rite of passage, as he confronts the weight of his expectations and the significance of his role as a brother.
By examining the specific details and character developments within these texts, we can understand how the individuals in the selections experience rites of passage in different ways.