In 9th grade work and writing, 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.
In the short story "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell, the main character, who is unnamed, experiences a rite of passage in his journey from adolescence to adulthood. Throughout the story, the main character is infatuated with Sheila Mant, a girl who represents his desire for maturity and acceptance. He believes that impressing Sheila by catching a big fish will mark his transition into adulthood. However, during a boat outing with Sheila, he is faced with a difficult decision. He has to choose between catching a trophy bass or keeping Sheila's attention. Ultimately, he sacrifices the fish and Sheila in order to preserve his passion for fishing. This moment serves as a rite of passage for the main character, as he realizes the importance of staying true to his own values and passions rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.
Similarly, in the poem "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins, a young boy named Billy reflects on his transition from childhood to adolescence. The poem captures the bittersweet nature of this rite of passage, as Billy mourns the loss of his innocence and the carefree nature of childhood. He laments, "It seems only yesterday I used to believe / there was nothing under my skin but light" (Collins). Here, Billy metaphorically expresses his realization that he is growing older and becoming more aware of the complexities and challenges of life. The poem beautifully captures the universal experience of reaching double digits and the conflicted emotions that come with it.
Both selections explore the rites of passage that individuals confront as they navigate the journey from adolescence to adulthood. The characters in these texts experience moments of self-discovery and growth, as they come to terms with their evolving identities and priorities. These rites of passage emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing the inevitable changes that come with growing up.