In the following literature selections,individuals experience rites of passage in various ways:
The Bass, the River and Shelia Mant by W.D. Wetherell
Oranges by Gary Soto
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
First Lesson by Philip Booth
On Turning Ten by Billy Collins
Hanging Fire by Audre Lorde
My Forbidden Face by Latifa
The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst
My Brother's Keeper by Jay Bennett
Choose at least two of the selections above and write about the rites of passage that individuals in the selection 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 Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the main character, Doodle, experiences a significant rite of passage. Doodle is born with physical disabilities and has a challenging time keeping up with his older brother. However, the rite of passage occurs when his brother sets the goal of teaching Doodle to walk and become "normal." This goal becomes not just a physical challenge but also an emotional one for Doodle. The text states, "They did not know that I did it for myself; that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother." (Hurst, p. 347) This passage shows that the rite of passage involves both physical accomplishments and emotional growth as Doodle's brother comes to terms with his own feelings of shame.
In Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the main character, Maya, experiences multiple rites of passage as she grows up. One significant rite of passage she encounters is when she is by her mother's boyfriend at the young age of eight. This traumatic event marks a turning point in Maya's life, as it leads her to become selectively mute for several years, feeling shamed and silenced. Maya's healing and growth become apparent when she eventually finds her voice again. She states, "What was to be my place to find my voice, to understand what I've seen, and then to tell it without shame?" (Angelou, p. 82) This passage highlights the transformative nature of Maya's rite of passage, as she learns to reclaim her voice and confront the pain she has experienced.
By examining these two selections, it is evident that the rite of passage experienced by individuals encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological growth. Both Doodle and Maya go through transformative experiences that shape their identities and impact their lives significantly.
To analyze the rites of passage in the selected literature selections, let's take a closer look at two of the works: "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou.
1. "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst:
In this short story, the main character, Doodle, experiences a significant rite of passage. Doodle, who has a physical disability, faces the challenge of developing his physical abilities and fitting in with his brother. The story highlights his journey towards self-acceptance and independence.
Supporting evidence:
- Doodle's physical limitations are evident through phrases like "his little legs...bent and twisted like crippled branches." This physical difference sets him apart.
- Doodle's brother pushes him to become "normal" by teaching him how to walk, swim, and run. This becomes a challenging and transformative experience for Doodle.
- Doodle's accomplishment of learning to walk becomes a symbolic rite of passage, representing his transformation from dependence to independence.
2. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou:
Maya Angelou's memoir explores her own coming-of-age experiences, specifically focusing on the challenges she faces as a young African American girl living in a racially divided society. The book portrays the transition from childhood to adolescence and the rites of passage associated with it, such as self-discovery, accentuating personal identity, and facing racism.
Supporting evidence:
- Maya's experiences with racism, particularly when she is discriminated against at school, serve as pivotal instances of her rite of passage.
- The book reflects Maya's self-growth and self-discovery as she navigates her relationships and confronts societal expectations.
- Maya's overcoming of adversity is vividly described, emphasizing her resilience, strength, and ability to blossom despite difficult circumstances.
By examining these selected works, it becomes evident that both "The Scarlet Ibis" and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" depict powerful rites of passage for their main characters. Through specific details and evidence from the text, the impact of these transformative experiences on the individuals' lives is clearly demonstrated.
Do you know what "rites of passage" means?
http://www.google.com/search?q=rites+of+passage+definition&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS705US707&oq=rites+of+pass&aqs=chrome.2.0j69i57j0l4.5495j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Have you read any or all of those works?
If you haven't read any, get to reading! If you have read some or all of them, re-think them based on the meaning of "rites of passage." Then you'll be ready to brainstorm, draft, edit, etc.