Representation of Adolescence Through Fiction

Representations of Adolescence through illustration According to Kate Legged, an Australian Journalist, young adult novels argon too swart and pessimistic, as she states in the following iterate Father bashes m new(prenominal), mother abandons children Violence, drugs, suicides. The novels of virtually top writes of young peoples fiction have never been devoider or more explicit (Kate Legged The Australian Magazine 1998) Tomorrow, When the contend Began by tin Married and Ugly by Constance Brioche both involve issues which could be considered sensitive and disturbing.They tell stories of violence, one in a war situation spot the other in the form of child abuse. However, young adults be be in an optimistic take fire in both novels, becoming obligated and adapted to persist and learn resilience through the circumstances they are faced with, making them able to overcome these challenges. These books promote the awareness and pinch of issues, and show that hope is wha t the founts cling to in their time of need. The main characters in both books are adolescents who develop and become stronger in their difficult situations.Constance (Clare), in Ugly, writes an autobiography of her life of eating and neglect by her mother. Elli, the main character in Tomorrow, When the contend Began, writes a diary about guerilla warfare in an invasion where her parents are prisoners of war. Therefore, both are put in a position of responsibility whereby they must look subsequently themselves without parents existence there for protection. They are represented in a positive light which contrasts with their negative surroundings. Ugly presents violence which is directed at Clare in the base of operations environment.Clare suffers physical abuse (even leading to hospitalizing) and sexual harassment which re eventful of adults in the book, in particular her mother Carmen. Her treatment of my sisters was certainly precise different from her treatment of me. They did not get the unkind words I got, or have their nipples pinched, and they were not beaten or punched. (Clare Ugly p. 8 -9) Although Clare is unaware wherefore she is victimized by her mother, it is possibly because she is darker skinned than the respite of the family.Carmen abuses her daughter through verbal abuse, neglect and physical harm. Her self-esteem is move through name calling such as the following Lord, saintly Lord, how come she so ugly? Ugly. Ugly. If I hadnt given birth to her, benignant Lord, I would have sworn she was a fraud. Heavenly Jesus, sweet and kind, why have you given me a swine? (Carmen Ugly p. 52) Child abuse is unsupportable in our society. As the reader sees the pain and suffering that Clare experiences, they respond to the chafe by feeling sympathy towards Clare and disgust towards Carmen.So readers are positioned to respect Clare for her fearlessness in persevering with life, withstanding for herself, her determination to become a barrister and her continual content and trim ethic to achieve this goal. At the end of the book a spirited Clare visits her mother and lets her go to bed what she thinks You made me (Clare) hate you (Carmen), and I do. You know what? I dont think that you should ever have had children. And not that bad after all. (Clare Ugly p. 08) When Clare finally confronts Carmen, readers feel relief and thrilled for Clare because she has moved on from her mothers cruelty, to lead a better life and become a sure-fire proud woman, unlike Carmen. From a horrible background, this young adult is able to achieve her lifetime goal. Unlike Ugly, where personal violence is the main issue, Tomorrow, When the War Began conveys violence which is directed at the whole rude in a war scenario. Elli, the protagonist, records the story of fighting the enemy for her country and family.The characters in Tomorrow, When the War Began also grow passim the novel and become fighters for others lives, rather than ever so putting themselves first. While Ugly has one main character, Tomorrow, When the War Began features a group of seven friends, who are able to support one another(prenominal) throughout the war which the group discovers has broken out while they are on a camping trip. From innocence, the group is suddenly faced with a massive change in their lives We believed we were safe. That was the big fantasy.Now we know were not, and like you tell, well never feel safe again, and so its bye-bye innocence. (Elli Tomorrow, When the War Began p. 107) Readers can subsume with these characters as they are typical Australian teenagers, which is seen through their behavior and country town in which they live. Although they are from a variety of different backgrounds, they show true Australian qualities, making them likeable to the reader as they gestate the name values. The characters become more cautious and realize how important friends and family are.War has meant they are no longer innocent and must grow up and fend for themselves, becoming more responsible and independent with every minute, which is illustrated in this quote Weve got to stick together, thats all I know. We all drive each other crazy at times, but I dont want to end up here alone (Elli Tomorrow, When the War Began p. 284) These young adults (Elli, Homer, Lee, Carrie, Kevin, Robin and F) find the force out to live on while their country has been invaded ND their families captured.As with Clare, the reader is positioned to admire these characters because they show traits that most readers would can relate to and respect such as courage, commitment, independence, responsibility and family values as seen in the following quote. Its our own families, said Carrie. Thats what everyones worried about, isnt it? I guess Id fight for my country but Im liberation mad wondering whats happened to my family. (Carrie Tomorrow, When the War Began p. 172) One goal remains throughout which is to fight for their families an d country ND their own survival.Through the representations of personal and social issues which are explored in the two books, readers are positioned to view the world as bleak and disturbing, which supports the view of young adult novels presented in Ledges quote. However, the representations of young adults in the novels signal that they are very capable of dealing with immense problems and overcoming them. Young adults in the novels are able to move past these issues because of their resilience and a mild ray of hope in their lives, so they can continue to work towards a better life.