BILDUNGSROM AN Coming of Age Stories What is

BILDUNGSROM AN Coming of Age Stories

What is Bildungsroman? ■ The growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood (coming of age), in which character change is extremely important. ■ A Bildungsroman relates the growing up or "coming of age" of a sensitive person who goes in search of answers to life's questions with the expectation that these will result from gaining experience of the world. ■ The genre evolved from folklore tales of a dunce or youngest son going out in the world to seek his fortune. ■ Usually in the beginning of the story there is an emotional loss which makes the protagonist leave on his journey.

What is Bildungsroman? Cont’d ■ The goal is maturity, and the protagonist achieves it gradually and with difficulty. The genre often features a main conflict between the main character and society. Typically, the values of society are gradually accepted by the protagonist and he/she is ultimately accepted into society — the protagonist's mistakes and disappointments are over. In some works, the protagonist is able to reach out and help others after having achieved maturity. ■ In film, coming of age is a genre of teen films. Coming-of-age films focus on the psychological and moral growth or transition of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. ■ Personal growth and change is an important characteristic of this genre, which relies on dialogue and emotional responses, rather than action. The main character is typically male, around mid-teen and the story is often told in the form of a flashback.

Sometimes called a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story focuses on the following: ■ A protagonist who is – Socially or psychologically maturing – Receiving an “education” but not just in a traditional school

The character’s growth begins when ■ He/she is faced with loss or discovery… – Character may lose innocence – Character may struggle with knowledge that the adult world is complex – Character may find the “absolutes” of childhood no longer exist ( there is not always a right or wrong answer)

The character’s growth is shown by ■ Clashes between what he/she wants and rules of society ■ The character trying to establish his/her own rules ■ The character trying to become an active participant in the world

Sometimes the stories contain: ■ An initiation, trial, or rite of passage – Religious ceremony, membership in a club, birthday, etc. ■ An epiphany (aka “aha” moment)… a sudden realization of truth about him/herself or the world – sometimes includes seeing the world for what it really is or people for who they are ■ Loss of innocence – Common symbols are fruit, gardens/forests, purity that has spoiled or gone rotten ■ A journey – A real or symbolic one

The Breakfast Club as a Bildungsroman ■ What are some of the conventions (widely used and accepted devices, practices, or techniques) of coming-of-age films that The Breakfast Club exemplifies in style, subject matter, and values? – What conventions of style in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? Why? – What conventions of subject matter in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? – What conventions of morals/themes/values in coming-of-age films does The Breakfast Club exhibit? What lessons does The Breakfast Club teach or what behaviors does the film approve? ■ How are teenagers portrayed in this coming-of-age film? Where do they belong in this setting, and what is their central conflict? Why? ■ How is this film a product of its sociocultural context (when and