Brighton Beach Memoirs: End of Act 1; Act 2

This morning, please take 10-15 minutes to do the following:

• Print out your 500 word short story draft and turn in if you have not yet done so
• Print out your poetry walk poetry draft and turn in if you have not yet done so
• Upload any film footage for your human interest video project (or upload to Youtube and send me your URL in the COMMENT section below if you're done...)
• Extra Credit: There are 4 stages of the coming of age story:
• REALIZATION -- changing, emotional and mental preparation, growing, physical changes
• REMOVAL -- change of status quo or familiar environment; separation from support units (family, friends, social institutions), experimentation with "forbidden" issues/activities--testing the limits of support units/social institutions, breaking rules/laws or beliefs, etc.
• CHALLENGE --- proving oneself; overcome a major problem or resolve a major conflict (killing the boss monster, growing mature, taking on responsibility, etc.)
• REINTEGRATION - protagonist comes back into society; character undergoes a rebirth, new status, or new understanding or epiphany of his/her situation.

Choose a book you have read in the past (for pleasure or for school), or a film you have watched and explain how it follows the 4 stages of the coming of age story. 

Example: Star Wars, A New Hope: Luke Skywalker, at first left behind by his friends on Tatooine, learns about a rebel plot and the Force [realization]. When his aunt and uncle are slaughtered by the Empire, Luke sets out with his mentor Obi Wan and pilot Han Solo to recover a princess [removal]. Along the way, Luke struggles to find his force within, fights storm troopers, manages to survive a trash compactor, rescues a princess, and trains for the final battle against the Empire's "Death Star" [challenge]. Luke uses the force to blow up the Death Star and returns a hero [Reintegration].

Post your book or film choice and your explanation in the COMMENT section of this post. 

Let's continue reading Brighton Beach Memoirs this morning.

Nine Characteristics of a Coming of Age experience or story

1. Usually the protagonist is between the ages of 12-18, but can be younger
2. Adults are either "bad guys" or not important--they represent society or laws or rules--the natural order of things; in some stories a parent is missing, absent, or dead. Authority figures are often antagonists to the protagonist. (see below)
3. Usually involves a journey of some sort (this can by a physical, mental, or spiritual journey)
4. Protagonist must confront his/her fears or weaknesses
5. Conflicts with a parent /guardian/authority figure
6. Protagonist learns something important (usually about him/herself)
7. There are usually a series of tests or challenges that the protagonist must face and overcome
8. The ending may be bittersweet--there is often a loss of innocence as a protagonist matures
9. Scarification (there are often scars left--physical or/and emotional), but these "wounds" mark the protagonist as a hero--he/she has come through the "storm" and is "wiser" for the experience. Sorta like this class...

A memoir is a story about a memory. In essence the writer looks back on his/her youth and remembers a specific time period, or personal or historical event. In a MEMORY PLAY--a character does this remembering. He/she often breaks the 4th wall and speaks directly to the audience about what he/she remembers. Plays like this are SUBJECTIVE.

HOMEWORK: Aim to finish your FILMING of your human interest story by the end of the week (or weekend). Bring in your footage to upload and edit by next week. Our due date for the film will be next week.