1. Coming of Age
The Catcher in the Rye

2. About The Catcher in the Rye
Published in 1951
An English teacher was fired in 1960 for assigning the book to his students
Libraries have banned it for “excess vulgar language, sexual scenes, things concerning moral issues, excessive violence and anything dealing with the occult.”--Time
In 1980, 25-year-old Mark David Chapman shot Beatles legend John Lennon in front of his Manhattan home and later gave the book to police as an explanation for why he did it.
The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is considered an unreliable narrator, causing the reader to question the validity and truthfulness of his actions, thoughts, speech, etc.

3. Bildungsroman: coming of age
A bildungsroman (coming of age) is a novel that traces the psychological and moral development and maturation of the main character
Contains experiences which define who one is and is to become
Protagonist faces a decision and the outcome impacts the rest of his/her life
Chronicles a loss of innocence that forces a child to grow up

4. Plot diagram of bildungsroman
Emotional loss for youth
Youth leaves home for a journey
Encounters internal & external conflicts
Youth learns a lesson and matures
Young adult may accept values of society; society accepts him
Adult returns home with new knowledge

5. What the writer does...
Creates situations and relationships that allow the protagonist to experience struggles
Shows the protagonist struggle with the transition between the innocence of childhood and the responsibility of adulthood
Includes the audience in the transition--the audience may be frustrated or in disagreement with the protagonist’s actions, thoughts, etc.
Creates characters that interact with the protagonist and highlight the transition

6. Coach Carter The Victory Within

7. Discussion
Despite losing the championship game, what change have the players undergone?
How did Coach Carter help elicit change for the players?
How does this exemplify a coming of age story?

8. Review Describe in your own words what a bildungsroman is.
How do authors use plot and character development to demonstrate the transition of the protagonist?
What are some additional examples of coming of age stories?

9. Questions? :)