I spent most of my pre-teen years fawning over Logan Lerman in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Charlie, Lerman’s character, spoke to me differently than any character had before. I could relate to his socially awkward demeanor, bad decisions, and desperation to stop watching his life through a looking glass. His story not only inspired 12-year-old me to participate fully in life but allowed me to feel represented in my identity. The impact The Perks of Being a Wallflower had on me is connected to the more significant social trend of resonating with the representation and hope in coming-of-age stories. Writer Joe Oliveto best defines the coming-of-age trope as showcasing a character's transition from “the innocence of childhood to the maturity of adulthood.” These stories have a long history, but they give the same gift: hope for the awkward adolescent in all of us.

The history of the “coming-of-age” genre spans various media types. Before the movies, “coming-of-age” novels were quite popular in society. One of the first examples of “coming-of-age” stories was the bildungsroman, or a book that focuses “on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood,” according to Wikipedia. This literary genre includes books such as The Catcher in The Rye, Jane Eyre, Little Women, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

A bildungsroman comprises four main elements that aid the protagonist, or main character, with their transformation: loss, journey, conflict/growth, and maturity. The first aspect, loss, is a significant defeat at the story’s beginning. This could range anywhere from a death to a lost relationship. The next element is the journey, which can be physical or metaphorical. In this section, the character aims to find clarity and hopes to understand the world better. Conflict/growth, the third section, is the moment when the protagonist often makes a mistake or is “at odds with society.” From this, they will learn how to be themselves and truly take control of their story. Lastly, the bildungsroman reaches the maturity phase at the end of the book. Here, the protagonist shows significant change and has a positive outlook on the future. In the example of Jane Eyre, the protagonist loses her childhood to abuse and goes on a journey as a governess to find her place in society. As she falls in love, she learns how to live her life as she wants. These elements are common and present in nearly every “coming-of-age” narrative seen today.

Fairy tales, along with bildungsroman, marked a clear beginning to the extensive history of the genre. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, were a series of original stories that contained elements of magic, despair, and power. These stories included the original tellings of “Rapunzel,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and even “Cinderella.” Furthermore, fairy tales commonly explore the idea that there is a lesson to be learned in every journey and there is often a struggle between a hero and villain. Unlike bildungsromans, the main character grows through fantastical elements and magical realism. For example, Cinderella learns never to let adversity affect her heart through a fairy godmother and a ball. The development of fairy tales also shows that “coming-of-age” stories can be anything the author wants them to be, evil queen included or not.

The emergence of film and cinematography in the late 1800s created a new medium for the “coming-of-age” genre. The 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s brought forth hundreds of popular “coming-of-age” movies, including The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Holes, The Karate Kid, Dead Poets Society, and many more. Almost all of these stories follow the same elements as the bildungsroman and exclusively observe the lives of teenagers. This trend brought in a larger audience of people of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds. As the fanbase for the genre grew, so did the different forms of coming-of-age stories. Television shows, comic books, musicals, podcasts, and modernized versions of literature all cling to the original structure and message of the bildungsroman. In television, sitcoms and series created recurring “coming-of-age” narratives that lasted for years. Shows like Friends or That 70’s Show chronicled the struggles of adolescence and adulthood through stellar ensemble casts and humor. Moreover, due to their long-lasting nature, television shows have multiple phases of journey and growth. It is essential to note that these cycles reflect real life as we all undergo various triumphs and losses on our paths. The development of the “coming-of-age” genre in the mediums mentioned above made these stories accessible to everyone and transformed a centuries-old genre.

The “coming-of-age” genre has profoundly impacted society and media alike. So why is coming of age so important to teenagers and adults worldwide? Most experts credit the feeling of nostalgia, the sentimental longing for the past, and the joy of seeing yourself on the screen. According to Angelica, an Edinburgh International Film Festival writer, “Coming of age films portray the feeling of growing up and moving from one part of your life to the next that every audience can relate to. Even in the most obscure film set in another country or time in history, the audience can still reflect upon their own experiences in relation to the characters.” In addition, the transition from childhood to adulthood is vastly different for everyone and equally compelling for all viewers. “Coming-of-age” stories often contain genuine stories that feature characters battling uncertainty and unfamiliar emotions. In the words of Melissa Linares, “The uncertainty of the future, new feelings, new experiences, as frightening as they might make us feel, also make us feel alive and connected to others.” Whether it is new love, new friends, or getting into college, the stories are constantly engaging and invoke positive feelings. This sense of nostalgia and representation immediately brings you comfort, no matter the circumstances. People worldwide find that we can always turn to “coming-of-age” works to give us peace – allowing this trope to be long-lasting and cement itself in history. The most important aspect of these stories is that life will be good to you if you keep having hope, something everyone needs to learn at least once.

In my case, if there is one thing anyone should know about me, it is that I love the “coming of age” genre more than anything else. Growing up during the peak of Disney Channel (arguably), I found that “coming of age” movies and shows became the light in a dark, narrow tunnel. Shows like Jessie, Shake It Up, and Girl Meets World featured eccentric characters being loved and supported no matter what happened. Being somewhat of an outcast myself, the endless support was something to live vicariously through. When I watched Riley and Maya in Girl Meets World and read the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series in the fifth grade, I knew that my feelings about life were valid. I knew I could have natural, fun adventures if I believed in myself. Those one-of-a-kind teenage experiences provide everyone with a sense of excitement for the future of nostalgia for the past. Moreover, being a high schooler in quarantine, “coming of age” films quickly become a guardian of never-ending comfort. That same sense of comfort is found in earlier stories from around the world.

The coming-of-age genre is easily one of the greatest gifts that the arts have given us. It encourages teenagers, who were consistently beaten down by society, to hope for the future. For years, the trope has been dictated by one truth – no matter how hard life gets, there is always hope. Whether you are queer (Love, Simon), lonely (The Edge of Seventeen), or in trouble with the police for stealing shoes you didn’t steal (Holes), you will always find a character who is living your story in the timeless trope of “coming-age.”

Sources:

Angelica. “Why Are Coming of Age Films So Important to Us?” Edinburgh Film Festival, April 30, 2020. https://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/latest/why-are-coming-age-films-so-important-us.

Barron, Kaelyn. "Bildungsroman Novels: Definition and Examples." TCK Publishing. https://www.tckpublishing.com/bildungsroman-novels/.

Bauer, Alex. “A Look at Coming-Of-Age Stories.” Medium. May 7, 2019. https://medium.com/cinenation-show/coming-of-age-stories-why-they-are-important-and-the-films-to-watch-84d90bb04387.

Holderbaum, Natalie. “The Evolution of Coming of Age Films– Is this Really What it’s Like?” Mxdwn. March 5, 2020. https://movies.mxdwn.com/feature/the-evolution-of-coming-of-age-films-is-this-really-what-its-like/.

Oliveto, Joe. “What Does ‘Coming of Age’ Mean in Movies, Books, and Life?” Cake, April 21, 2022. https://www.joincake.com/blog/coming-of-age/.

Linares, Melissa. “Why Are Coming of Age Stories So Compelling?” Odyssey. July 3, 2016. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/coming-age-stories-compelling.

“Bildungsroman.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bildungsroman.

“Grimms’ Fairy Tales: Coming of Age.” Shmoop. https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/grimms-fairy-tales/themes/coming-of-age.

“What Is a Bildungsroman? Definition and Examples of Bildungsroman in Literature.” MasterClass, August 30, 2021. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-bildungsroman-definition-and-examples-of-bildungsroman-in-literature#how-a-bildungsroman-is-structured.