Coming of Age
Write a speech about the above topic
150+ words
Answers
‘Coming of age’ is the attainment of freedom to do almost everything, legally; but most of us overlook the responsibilities it brings along. Coming of age is celebrated and welcomed by all. However, the truth is this is the most unstable and challenging period. The irony about coming of age is one feels as described beautifully by Ash Huang’s words: ‘When your age says you’re an adult, but you don’t really feel like one.’
This coming of age is the period to make or mar one’s life. In a majority of cases, the excitement and furore of the happening leads youngsters astray. Most of them get tempted to taste the forbidden fruits. It is during this period only that they take to smoking, drinking, and other carnal pleasures at the cost of higher ideals such as career, character, and secure future.
The best thing to be done at the occasion of coming of age is giving the youngsters training concerning the challenges involved in coming of age. They must be told coming of age is not about misusing the freedom in dissipation; rather it is a freedom given to them to make healthy and right choices which will further determine their overall health, wealth, and happiness.
The elders must initiate the youngsters to the coming of age by teaching them how to make the best out of this freedom.
What defines ones personality? What moulds ones identity? Coming of age is a crucial phase in life. It’s the time where our character is shaped through challenges we face and experiences we encounter. Coming of age is displayed throughout the novel, Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson. There are three main stages of coming of age; changes, gaining independence and sense of belonging. All these ideas are depicted in the novel using various language techniques. Change is the initial and most noticeable stage of coming of age. It occurs both physically and mentally, and it plays a major role in the configuration of characters.
Change is displayed when Ping looks in the mirror for the first time in several months and thinks to herself “ my rosy red cheeks have faded into a rich cream colour and my skin looks as soft as silk…” This combination of alliteration and a simile describes the physical changes that ping has undergone and it shows that as Ping began to face more challenges her rate of development increased as well as these physical changes ping was face with many mental changes. Independence is a pivotal attribute in order for survival. Independence is one of the hardest characteristics to gain in the novel.