Coming Of Age In Huggan's Celia Behind Me

The theme "coming of age" can be illustrated as the reader witnesses a character in the story transition from childhood immaturity to more complex and adult-like thoughts and actions. Huggan's short story, "Celia Behind Me", evidently illustrates the coming of age theme as the reader follows the protagonist, Elizabeth, through many hardships including the struggle for social acceptance, guilt, anxiety, and her own insecurities. Though seemingly simple, the "coming of age" topic is, in truth, a very complex topic. As the reader observes the coming of age theme in the story, they are also exposed to the many difficulties test the main character has to face to reach maturity. In "Celia Behind Me," the reader is introduced to a clique composed of middle-school girls who take pleasure in tormenting those …show more content…
Belonging to the clique is the protagonist, Elizabeth, who strives for social acceptance. "I hated Celia with a dreadful and absolute passion" (Huggan 75). In order to fit in the group, Elizabeth has to agree with their beliefs and behavior. It is unclear whether this opinion is actually Elizabeth's, or one that the clique enforced upon her. As evidenced in the text, Elizabeth's group of friends care very little about her well being. "[They would] throw millions of snowballs just for the joy of seeing me whipped" (Huggan 75). This quote demonstrates the indirect fear tactic used on Elizabeth to keep her within the boundaries of her behavior, thoughts, and actions. Elizabeth's main desire is to be accepted as part of the school; public humiliation would increase her isolation. Although Elizabeth stated that she dislikes Celia because of her appearance and weaknesses, the reader catches a glimpse of the immense stress Elizabeth is under due to unhealthy social atmosphere. "I felt pity, and a rising urge within me to cry as hard as I could so that Celia would cry