8 Pieces of Coming-of-Age Art

         As I finish life as a high school student, I look back on different works from different pieces of media that best represented, influenced, or have just played a large role in my journey. I think everyone growing up can look at these pieces and learn more about themselves and what they’re going through, or at least better understand that they’re not alone.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

        The reasons why most people don’t like Holden Caulfield, the book’s protagonist, are the same reasons I adore him. He’s rude, critical, and unstable, which is a brutally honest portrayal of a regular sixteen-year-old. Although he has these qualities, Holden is also sensitive and yearns to be vulnerable without fear or judgement. This age is one of struggle, and Holden’s emotions bubble up until they manifest as aggression – a way to escape getting hurt. The subtext throughout the novel showcases Holden’s journey of “figuring things out”, as he desperately tries to reject the condition of society. Salinger does a great job of highlighting the hardest thoughts and flaws  to come to terms with during such a tumultuous period of life.

Superbad directed by Greg Mottola

        This movie has what is quite possibly the most realistic depiction of how teenagers act. We’re stupid, crude, pompous and yet we still crave companionship, love, and acceptance. As a comedy, the movie focuses on the humorous aspects of hormone-filled awkwardness, and does so to great success. A lot of jokes involve extreme situations, like Fogell purchasing a fake ID under the name “McLovin”, but they’re told with a degree of relatability that makes the audience invested into everything that’s happening. Even though it’s a comedy first and foremost, the friendship between Seth and Evan is the genuinely touching emotional crux of the film. Seeing them (Spoiler!) go their separate ways and start what could possibly be the rest of their lives without each other, is a wonderfully heartfelt ending for a movie which main goal is to make you laugh.

It’s a Lot. It’s Seamless by The Brave Little Abacus

        Although the entire album deals with the concept of having to physical move from one place to another, this song stands out to me in particular. It isn’t a very encouraging or uplifting song, but I think that’s also important. There’s a lot of sadness and regret, but as Sufjan Stevens once said, “Nothing can be changed. The past is still the past. The bridge to nowhere”. Nostalgia can be a blinding element that causes us pure agony. There’s so much that we can reflect on and remember, and that could cause a feeling of stagnancy. The more we change and leave pieces of ourselves behind the more we feel “so many many feelings”. I like to think of this song as an understanding of what the concept of change really is. It’s neither positive nor negative, all change is is what we are able to make of it. 

Alright by Supergrass

        This song is truly a teen anthem, and speaks for the feelings many young adults have. This is the quintessential song for teenage freedom and rebellion. Speaking of a carefree and reckless lifestyle, there’s such a relatable and timeless description of what it means to be young. It’s hard not to turn the volume all the way up and sing along to every word when those first few chords start playing. Many teens can understand the expression of passion and independence. 

FLCL directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki

        FLCL is an anime that portrays youth through the lens of surrealism and nonsensical events. Showing how much everything matters and is meaningless simultaneously is exactly just how adolescence is. The protagonist, Naota, tries to be mature by closing himself off from others and simply acting cool. The aliens, robots, and absurdist humor is not what this story is about. This is all a part of Naota’s world, that he tries to dismiss. What’s important in all the craziness of FLCL can be summarized with one question: Do you remember what it was like being 12? It’s a time full of confusion and passion and developing urges. It’s hard to describe this time as being anything other than surreal. What speaks to me the most about Naota, is his rejection of these crazy events in his desire to be more mature, and how that only serves to show his immaturity. By learning to accept his feelings and taking a leap by acting on them, allowing him to make a change in some way, is the catalyst for his growth. FLCL’s message that reached my heart is simply this: Sometimes you won’t sort out all of the absurdity. Sometimes there’s nothing to sort out. But no matter what happens, don’t be afraid to move forward.

Wait by M83

        To me this song illustrates endings and creating new beginnings. There’s no time to keep your head in the past and look backward. Moving on is something that’s each person has to do at some point in their lives. The gorgeous instrumentation by the Orphans String And Brass Orchestra adds to this grand idea of pushing forward. We have no time to waste, and we must live in the present. M83 has talked about “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” and how it relates to memories of his childhood, and I think this song beautifully shows this state of mind. Although it’s easy to mourn and think about the past, we can’t get caught up crying over it when we have an entire future ahead of us.

Funeral by Arcade Fire

        This album is especially meaningful to me because it shows growth in such a fascinating way. Innocence is presented as a current state of mind, but there’s also moments of looking back to these times with nostalgia. The connection between the call to arms made by the youth and the advice given by experienced adults allows for so much to be said about nostalgia and childhood. There’s a lot of pain and grieving throughout Funeral, and the loss of optimism and love is definitely poignant. Even so, through the forced journey into adulthood the album gave me hope. Hope for inner strength enduring and blooming despite any loss of control. Funeral is a real inspiration in my life, and I’ve gained the power to carry this hope in my heart.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

        Both the novel and the movie adaptation are phenomenal at showing different aspects of life and how it influences an individual. The main character is an outcast, but finds a real bond with other outcasts. What’s great about Perks is its boldness in presenting the harsh truths of reality, like the reasons behind someone being unpopular typically being unfair and undeserved. There’s also the classic high school pressures to fit in and be liked by everyone, that’s not shown as a despicable desire, but just a common social feeling. The various pressures, past and current traumas, all of it plays a role in every interaction, which is something that Perks doesn’t shy away from letting the audience know. I’ve always wanted to have my own Tunnel Scene, listening to some empowering song and forcing the world to know that I exist and I matter. Looking back on my experiences throughout high school and I think in some ways, I’ve already had my Tunnel Scene. In bits and pieces throughout the years with people who I’ve spent time with wishing that the clock would never tick again. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt infinite before, but what feels infinite are the memories and moments I just might forget, but have still made me who I am. 

        I’ve experienced times of tremendous highs and crippling lows. At times I was directionless, and had no idea if I would even make it to this point. So much has happened, but I’ve persevered and went through all the twists and turns to end up on this path I’m presently on. I look at my current trajectory and have no idea where I’m going, but I know I’ll make it there in due time. 

Staring Right at a Bright Future,

Peach Fuzz