On Turning Ten Analysis

These stories are so diverse with such unique writing styles and characters from many realms and circumstances. Yet in a way, when I read them, they are all the same. I pondered why I had this tugging in my heart, a connection to these stories I read in school. Then, I realized that the stories seem universes apart, but the characters are all just the same as me. Yes, the characters have different religions, family situations, and experiences than me, but we are all going through the same thing. It is one of our rites of passage to confront the transition from our simple innocence of childhood to growing up and becoming our own independent, mature beings. Unfortunately, this process takes a while, and many of the struggles we teenagers face …show more content…
He is beginning to look at this upcoming stage in life with fear, depression, and resentment because he does not want the magic of childhood to fade. The boy states, “You tell me it is too early to be looking back, / but that is because you have forgotten / the perfect simplicity of being one / and the beautiful complexity introduced by two. / But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit /…This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,” (page 46-47) Like many of us, he is having a difficult time accepting that he is growing up and will begin going through this rite of passage. There are many changes that take place, and our worlds are completely changed. This apprehension is merely a phase that all of us go through during this rite of passage. He needs to uncover the courage, strength, hope, and endurance that he has within himself to make it through these next few …show more content…
Rachel had always spent countless hours with her sister and tried to be patient, kind, and understanding. Though, everyone else at school laughed at Beth and thought of her and her classmates as weird. Rachel found herself feeling different and guilty. As time went by, Rachel started wanting to detach herself from Beth when in public and not be branded by her sister. Rachel admitted, “I go into class and swallow my disloyalty and just feel disgusted for us all… I was so ashamed.” (Page 117 and 122) A part of this rite of passage of growing up is that we want to become independent, and be liked, so we may distance ourselves from things we once loved because our peers see it as different. Rachel got caught up in this for a while, and it was a real struggle. Luckily, she eventually was able to cultivate humility, charity, and compassion, and learn from these