In the following literature selections, individuals experience rites of passage in various ways:

Question

"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 Philip Booth
"On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
"Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde
from My Forbidden Face by Latifa
Shelf Life by Gary Paulsen
“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
"Memory" by Lucille Clifton
"The Courage That My Mother Had" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
"Lineage" by Margaret Walker
"My Brother's Keeper" by Jay Bennett
Choose at least three 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.

Answer 1

In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell, the protagonist faces a rite of passage as he navigates his first crush and experiences the disappointment of sacrificing his passions for love. The character, referred to as the narrator, is an adolescent boy who becomes infatuated with a girl named Sheila Mant. He believes that taking her out on a date will impress her and cement his place in her life. However, during their date, the narrator catches a large bass, which becomes a point of conflict for him. He struggles with whether to prioritize Sheila's opinion or his love for fishing. The narrator ultimately chooses to sacrifice the bass and lets it go, representing his transition from childhood innocence to the complexities of teenage life and the importance of making choices.

In "Oranges" by Gary Soto, the protagonist undergoes a rite of passage as he experiences a transformative first date and the emotions that come with it. The character, a young boy, goes on a date with a girl he likes and feels immense pressure to impress her. As the date progresses, the protagonist encounters obstacles such as paying for the girl's fruit, navigating tense encounters with her family, and facing his own anxieties and insecurities. However, by the end of the poem, the protagonist displays growth and maturity as he reflects on the sweet and memorable moments from their date, highlighting his transition from childhood into the confusion and excitement of adolescence.

In "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, the main character confronts a rite of passage in the form of sibling love and the consequences of his actions. The story centers around a young boy, referred to as Brother, and his younger brother, Doodle, who is born with a physical disability. Brother initially feels embarrassed and ashamed by Doodle's condition, but eventually grows to care deeply for him. As the story progresses, Brother pushes Doodle to overcome his limitations, teaching him how to walk, run, and swim. However, in his desire to make Doodle more "normal," Brother pushes him too far and ultimately causes Doodle's death. This tragic event forces Brother to confront the cruelty of his actions and the realization that his treatment of Doodle stemmed from his own pride and desire to conform to societal expectations. Through this haunting tale, the character experiences a rite of passage that awakens him to the power and consequences of his actions, leading to a deep sense of regret and maturity.

These selections demonstrate the diverse ways in which individuals wrestle with rites of passage, whether it be the sacrifice of personal passions for love, the complexities of first dates and adolescence, or the consequences of one's actions on loved ones.