![]() Especially in YA fantasy and historical fiction, girls may dress and act as boys to receive education, training, and other privileges they wouldn’t normally receive because of their gender. What often results is a painful internal conflict peppered with questions like “Am I a good person?” and “Why can’t I be who I really am?” Teen readers can relate to this struggle in real life, since they may also find themselves caught between how their parents, friends, or other influencers see them and how they see themselves.Įxample: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Graceling by Kristin Cashore Angle #4: Hiding Your True IdentityĪnother frequent angle is the idea of hiding one’s true identity. Other times, supporting characters or society at large may force the character to conform in ways that make them feel uncomfortable – because those actions or behaviors aren’t aligned with their own beliefs. Sometimes their situation dictates the role they must play at that moment. Some YA novels explore what happens when the protagonist is torn between who they are and who others want them to be. And for many young readers, bonding with characters whose struggles are similar to their own can reassure them that they, too, can find a way to succeed.Įxamples: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, When The Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore, Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall Angle #3: Caught In an Identity Crisis ![]() Rather, their stories are about seeking acceptance from others as well as themselves and learning to be comfortable with who they are. These characters aren’t hiding who they are. Protagonists who suffer from depression, social anxiety, and other mental health disorders may also isolate themselves for fear of rejection despite their craving for connection. Their circumstances at home, in school, or in certain relationships can make it difficult for them to share their traumatic pasts, sexual orientation, or gender identity with others. Self-acceptance can be a hard-fought battle for many teens and YA characters. Rowling, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Angle #2: Learning to Accept Who You Are And when they eventually embrace their many layers, the outcome of their choice inspires young readers and teaches them that all teens, real and fictional, yearn to understand who they are – and once they do, that knowledge can be empowering beyond words.Įxamples: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Yet as the protagonists watch adults or other teens coming to terms with their individual identities, they realize how complex and ever-changing one’s sense of self can be. Or, maybe they’ve made poor decisions in the past and now aspire to be a better person. Maybe the character wants to exhibit a quality they admire, like compassion, physical strength, or honesty, but they find it challenging to do so. ![]() In many YA novels, protagonists learn that they can decide who they want to be – which sounds fantastic, until they realize how difficult that decision is. Angle #1: Identity Is a (Complicated) Choice ![]() So instead, let’s take a broad look at some of the angles in which YA lit explores identity, as well as examples from across the YA spectrum. In fact, there are so many that I couldn’t choose which ones to use as case study examples. Luckily, YA literature abounds with novels that address identity as a literary theme. It’s awkward, confusing, and frustrating at times – and it can wreck havoc on a teen’s self-esteem. But at the heart of this transition stage between childhood and adulthood lies an existential dilemma: figuring out who you are. Even adults can remember how challenging this period in our lives was, between school, friendships, dating, family, the pressures of responsibility, and an increasing craving for respect and freedom. ![]() If these questions sound familiar, it might be because they’re part of being a teenager. ![]()
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