Literature Lessons: Rites of Passage (Growing Up)

Many cultures have a rite of passage. This is generally a notable event in a child's life that heralds their transition into adulthood. This event doesn't necessarily have a specific time, but it can be associated with an age and generally has some ceremony.

Some examples of rites of passage that you might be familiar with include a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, the Quinceañera; in America, 18 years of age and your ability to vote, 21 years of age and being legally allowed to drink, and getting a driver's license. There are numerous others and many that I'm probably not aware of, but the big picture is that the transition into adulthood is universally celebrated. It just differs on the timing and event.

Rites of passage can be culturally important because they celebrate the individual and show support for their emerging identity. In Island Whispers, Monica is put through a rite of passage which is called: The Test of Strength. If a demon survives the test, they are considered an adult and given more privilege in their hierarchy. Some of this privilege means freedom of movement. After the test, Monica is allowed to leave the caves whenever she wishes and is given different responsibilities.

The Test of Strength is just as it's named, a test of endurance and ability, a mental and physical challenge. It is a maze of tunnels and caves which leads a young demon to use everything they've learned until that point. A capable demon is able to find their way to the end. The demons value strength because it forms the foundation of their society. Strength = Safety.

The strongest among them are the protectors and warriors responsible for keeping the rest safe. The caves are also a hardy environment and so the test is about eliminating the weak so that only the "most fit" demons are living. Weeding out weakness is a practice of the dominate and Monica comes to realize that it isn't fair or right. She begins to think that perhaps an ancient transition to adulthood is not necessarily the best way to define a young demon as an adult.

Standing up to tradition can be difficult and it raises questions; are we abandoning our culture or are we transforming our culture to continue growing/learning/improving? There are many ways to view this. I don't want to say that rites of passage are good or bad. It's not so easy to look at it as one or the other. Many rites of passage are beneficial, providing social support, a sense of identity and community. However, it's important to be aware of our traditions. Do they cultivate wellbeing and positive affect in others or are they harmful meant to command a mindset and exclude others?

Monica has begun considering those questions and perhaps now, with her newfound adult status, she can begin to change things.