Concept / Coming-of-age theme

Coming-of-age theme

A narrative theme about a young person moving toward growth, independence, or a change of role

A narrative theme about a young person moving toward growth, independence, or a change of role.

A phrase to start with

Directs the scene toward a narrative theme of growth or movement toward independence.

Appearance and effects

The image can read with a narrative focus on growth, independence, or change of role.

Visual traits

  • growth focus
  • movement toward independence
  • narrative theme

Expected changes

  • A narrative focus on growth or change of role is more likely to appear

Five examples

1 — A neutral cube against a plain background

The fixed dog has no theme of a young person's growth or independence to compare, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single cube against a plain background with no cues to age, growth, role, rite, or cultural symbols

  • a single cube against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to growth
Open image ↗
2 — A neutral sphere against a plain background

The fixed cat has no theme of a young person's growth or independence to compare, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single sphere against a plain background with no cues to age, growth, role, rite, or cultural symbols

  • a single sphere against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to growth
Open image ↗
3 — A neutral panel against a plain background

The fixed boy pre-stages age but cannot compare a growth theme, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single panel against a plain background with no cues to age, growth, role, rite, or cultural symbols

  • a single panel against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to growth
Open image ↗
4 — A single chair against a plain background

The fixed unoccupied room has no subject for a growth theme, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single chair against a plain background with no cues to age, growth, role, rite, or cultural symbols

  • a single chair against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to growth
Open image ↗
5 — A neutral stone against a plain background

The fixed valley landscape has no subject for a growth theme, so it is replaced with a neutral object that does not pre-stage the theme.

a single stone against a plain background with no cues to age, growth, role, rite, or cultural symbols

  • a single stone against a plain background
  • a state with no cue to growth
Open image ↗

Meaning and scope

Definition

Coming-of-age theme is a narrative theme about a young person moving toward growth, independence, or a change of role. It does not determine a specific age, rite of passage, culture or religion, graduation, gender, success, or family relationship.

In more detail

It concerns a narrative focus on moving toward growth and independence. A rite of passage in a specific culture or religion, including a living cultural practice, is not inferred or generalized from this broad theme alone.

Includes

  • A narrative theme about a young person moving toward growth, independence, or a change of role

Excludes

  • A specific age, rite of passage, culture or religion, graduation, gender, success, or family relationship
  • Generalization of a rite of passage from a living culture

What this does not imply

  • A specific age, rite of passage, culture or religion, graduation, gender, success, or family relationship

Variability

Subjects, event, setting, and outcome can be adjusted separately.

Usage and adjustments

Usage

  • Use it as a narrative theme of growth or independence

Distinguish similar expressions

  • Specify age, culture, rite, or outcome separately only when needed

Typical uses

  • Compose movement toward growth or independence as a narrative theme

Possible failure modes

  • It is fixed as graduation or a rite, introduces a culture or religion without support, or adds success or family relationship automatically

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From the same theme

Items linked through explicit membership in the same theme.