Coming-of-age stories detail the growth—physical, mental, and emotional—of a young character who is aging into adulthood. The character in question is often presented with obstacles in their journey. These obstacles can range from internal conflicts to adversaries who feel threatened by (or do not understand) the protagonist. The main character must pass the impediments in their path, and learn to understand who they are in the process. Verlyn Flieger's Pig Tale shows its audience the life and trials of a young girl named Mokie on her path to adolescence. Ever since she was born, Mokie has been subjected to multiple injustices uncommon to most at the hands of both children and adults. Born and abandoned in a literal storm near the village
…show more content…
First observing the trio in a hut in the woods, she later becomes a member of their troupe after learning several tricks from them. "They have found its conventions, derived from fairy tale, romance, supernatural legend, and myth, appropriate vehicles for conveying the ideas and experiences they found significant enough to work into narrative form" (Attebery 4). While Mokie learns more about the myths surrounding the Wickenwood and the Crystal Folk from her new friends, love is the most important lesson she learns from the trio. Initially, she is hesitant to love anyone, either platonically or intimately, after the abuse she has been faced to endure in Little Wicken. However, she allows herself to love and be loved after meeting the trio of gypsies, specifically Lally (who taught her how to love herself) and John (how taught her how love is supposed to …show more content…
Their growth of self-awareness usually comes with struggling, pain, and even suffering" (Chen 2). Throughout the course of her journey, Mokie learns how to express herself. Instead of keeping her thoughts to herself, she becomes more vocal about her opinions, especially when it concerns the safety and well-being of herself and/or others. She learns to understand that her assault at the hands of Dommel and the village boys was not her fault, and that she has every right to be angry. Mokie expresses her concern to save Apple from abandonment to both farmer Grime and the gypsies, and both times she saves the pig's life. Mokie's experiences allow her to develop her emotions and become a strong-willed young
First observing the trio in a hut in the woods, she later becomes a member of their troupe after learning several tricks from them. "They have found its conventions, derived from fairy tale, romance, supernatural legend, and myth, appropriate vehicles for conveying the ideas and experiences they found significant enough to work into narrative form" (Attebery 4). While Mokie learns more about the myths surrounding the Wickenwood and the Crystal Folk from her new friends, love is the most important lesson she learns from the trio. Initially, she is hesitant to love anyone, either platonically or intimately, after the abuse she has been faced to endure in Little Wicken. However, she allows herself to love and be loved after meeting the trio of gypsies, specifically Lally (who taught her how to love herself) and John (how taught her how love is supposed to …show more content…
Their growth of self-awareness usually comes with struggling, pain, and even suffering" (Chen 2). Throughout the course of her journey, Mokie learns how to express herself. Instead of keeping her thoughts to herself, she becomes more vocal about her opinions, especially when it concerns the safety and well-being of herself and/or others. She learns to understand that her assault at the hands of Dommel and the village boys was not her fault, and that she has every right to be angry. Mokie expresses her concern to save Apple from abandonment to both farmer Grime and the gypsies, and both times she saves the pig's life. Mokie's experiences allow her to develop her emotions and become a strong-willed young