So far we have touched upon both the coming of age through ceremony, as well as it being a natural process that comes with a loss of innocence as we grow. The short stories we read seemed to have some interesting parallels in a couple of stories where the characters were preparing for a ceremony while going through their own, more personal Rite of passage at the same time (Sam and his Bar Mitzvah; Yvette and her First Communion), but there was a noticeable lack of emphasis on the importance such events held in the characters' lives. The stories seemed to be brought together through a common theme: innocence.
So, my question is: what do you believe the "true" Rite of Passage is? Is it something that you are trained for like a Confirmation or Bar Mitzvah, where you are raised learning about the significance of the event and what kind of person you will be after it? Or is it something more "natural"? Do you think life is just one big Rite of Passage, but there are defining moments that shape who you are?
Just write what you think, and if you are leaning towards the "natural" process, maybe explain the significance ceremonies have in our lives.
I really think that we can't say what THE definition for what a Rite of Passage is. I definitely feel that every Rite of Passage is unique to the individual. Everyone values certain traditional rites of passage differently, like Confirmation or Bar Mitzvah's, and what really matter's isn't that they go through those ceremony's but the impact it has on the person's life. So in that sense, I don't think there is a "true" rite of passage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Taylor- I certainly do not think that we can pinpoint a specific moment of growth that is universal for all people. I do think, however, that physical rites (like a Bar Mitzvah, Confirmation, Quinceanera) do not necessarily beget a true emotional, spiritual enlightenment. It is assumed that these Rites reflect a maturity or growth in the individual, but it is simply impossible to make such an absolute, universal assumption. Some individuals will indeed reflect growth or maturity around an adolescent age, but others, who may have experienced tragedy at a young age, will experience this loss of innocence much earlier. These physical rites reflect the expectation of maturity, but, as we all know, reality rarely follows expectations!
ReplyDeleteObviously, no one person can define what any persons coming of age moment is. Like Alex and Taylor said, I believe certain religious ceremonies mark one moment in a persons coming of age, but they certainly aren't the only moment; possibly not even the most important moment, I believe that depends on the person. Coming of age and rites of passage are life long processes. Even when we're "adults" we are not done growing as human beings. There are so many other factors that can play into our coming of age, may it be a loss of incense, a terrible tragedy, or some random event that led to a realization of a life lesson. For instance in "Marigolds" Lizabeth’s coming of age moment occurred in her destruction of the old woman's garden. No tragedy had befallen her, and this was not a religious ceremony; it was a random act of rage and emotion that caused her to view the world and those around her differently. Only those who experience it can define their rite of passage.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that a ceremony, religious or otherwise, can make a person a man or woman any more than a promotion can make somebody a manager. Even if a person takes the position and is that person on paper, they have to change their attitude to match their new responsibilities. As such, there cannot really be a designated rite of passage for any person- there can only be that person accepting their role and growing personally. I actually think that the title of this class might be a little misleading, since a rite implies ceremony, but we haven't dealt with much ceremony, and when we have, the ceremonies have all been symbols of personal growth, not the growth itself.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is any "true" rite of passage. Personally, I don't think events like Communion or a Bar Mitzvah make an individual feel like an adult. When I had my first Communion I was just thinking, "Cool, I can eat tasty bread and have a little wine now," not, "I'm an adult!" I don't think it hits you all at once either, like when you move out you don't automatically feel like an adult, it takes a while to sink in. I think life is one big rite of passage, with smaller, yet significant, defining moments.
ReplyDeleteI believe that live is truly one big "Rite of Passage," as we grow older we never stop learning. There are moments that seem more defiant than others, but I know that I cannot even begin to pick just one moment where I have felt that I am truly an adult. I believe that traditional rites of passage, such as a Quinceanera and others coax us to try to grow up, but the things we truly learn from come unexpectedly and force us to make a decision that we will learn from.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many different types of rights of passage that itd be impossible to pick just one point in a persons life, "oh, youre an adult now". This would be perhaps easiest with societal rights of passage, but then theres still culture to consider. Some cultures consider adulthood to be 16, others 18 so one is an adult one place and a child in the other?
ReplyDeleteEven hard as well is to say what does it mean to be an adult? Is it acting in a mature way or is it being the most yourself you will be? By that last option I mean many rights of passage seem to be about learning about one's self and discovering who he/she really is.
Therefore, I do not believe there can be any one rite of passage. A person never truly knows themselves and they are constantly changing as well. A new insight, a new role could certainly be rites of passage, but by itself a single event cannot shape all a person is.
-Danyelle W
I agree with "nlv_11" that life is just one big series of rites of passages. I think that they just pop up whenever they want. Somebody might have a bigger rite of passage buying a pack of gum than somebody having a bar Mitzvah. It's just a little change in one's thought process. They could've been looking at something a certain way forever but one day something just clicks and they get a whole new perspective. Even then this new perspective could still be wrong, it's just a step in the cycle of never ending rites of passages throughout life.
ReplyDeleteLife certainly contains a series of rites of passage. The only person who can label an event as a "real" rite of passage is the person experiencing it. Bar mitzvahs and First Holy Communions certainly hold weight within the family but if the ceremony means nothing to the individual then honestly it has no value. "Real" rites of passage occur when the individual realizes they've grown up a bit. Other people can facilitate maturing situations but they can't force coming of age upon someone else by ceremonies or any other means.
ReplyDelete