As a teenager of the 21st century, it is in my best interest to examine how teens are portrayed throughout the world. This is in my best interest because if the view of a teenager in society is negative, and does not pertain to me at all, only I, as a current teen can change it.
Once a novel is finished, I am often left with such a strong connection to a character that I wish that he was my best friend in real life. I often wish he is someone I can see every day. However, it is difficult to create this connection. To create this connection an author must connect with me as a teenager. In order to do this, he must have a character that embodies all of the following characteristics. This character must be going through some kind of exterior struggle, he must be having some internal struggle, and something must be lost or gained from his experience. If an author successfully embodies all of these characteristics into a character, that character forms a special connection with me. William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, successfully displays all three characteristics in his characters. Each character struggles exteriorly because they are stranded on an island, and internally because they must make a difficult decision. This decision is whether or not they want to kill and murder to survive or peacefully hope a passing ship will see them. Furthermore, Catcher in the Rye’s Holden, displays all of the characteristics as well. He is physically struggling to survive in the rough streets of New York and is mentally struggling over his discussion on what to do with his life, as he is no longer in school. However, towards the very end of the novel hold gains experience and “comes of age” to finally become an adult. Moreover, the novel The Alchemist also displays these important characteristics. The main character, Santiago is in a constant struggle with the desert around him and is internally struggling to find the purpose of his existence. He too, gains experiences and finally begins to understand the purpose of life.
As a teenager, I too am going through the same experiences as these characters. For this reason, I develop a special connection with these characters, because of this, I believe that do correctly display the life of an average teenager.
Once a novel is finished, I am often left with such a strong connection to a character that I wish that he was my best friend in real life. I often wish he is someone I can see every day. However, it is difficult to create this connection. To create this connection an author must connect with me as a teenager. In order to do this, he must have a character that embodies all of the following characteristics. This character must be going through some kind of exterior struggle, he must be having some internal struggle, and something must be lost or gained from his experience. If an author successfully embodies all of these characteristics into a character, that character forms a special connection with me. William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, successfully displays all three characteristics in his characters. Each character struggles exteriorly because they are stranded on an island, and internally because they must make a difficult decision. This decision is whether or not they want to kill and murder to survive or peacefully hope a passing ship will see them. Furthermore, Catcher in the Rye’s Holden, displays all of the characteristics as well. He is physically struggling to survive in the rough streets of New York and is mentally struggling over his discussion on what to do with his life, as he is no longer in school. However, towards the very end of the novel hold gains experience and “comes of age” to finally become an adult. Moreover, the novel The Alchemist also displays these important characteristics. The main character, Santiago is in a constant struggle with the desert around him and is internally struggling to find the purpose of his existence. He too, gains experiences and finally begins to understand the purpose of life.
As a teenager, I too am going through the same experiences as these characters. For this reason, I develop a special connection with these characters, because of this, I believe that do correctly display the life of an average teenager.