Importance of Self-Reflection in the Transition into Adulthood

Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
Transition from childhood to adulthood
Unlike other animals, human beings are variegated in the way they behave. This makes complex and diverse characters of different human beings. As a human being grows from childhood to adulthood, one is faced with many different and often confusing elements of life that determine how one relates to other people. However, this does not entirely put young adults transitioning to adulthood into the state of confusion that exists in their social environment. Development of self-reflection and social awareness can be attributed to a smoother transition into adulthood. In reference to the two books, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz and "Greasy Lake" by T. Coraghessan Boyle, this paper explores how self-reflection and social awareness has helped the main characters in the transition to adulthood.
In “Greasy Lake”, the main character is the narrator who is in company of his friends Digby and Jeff set out one night to look for trouble at a town Greasy Lake. Even though Dreasy Lake, as described by the narrator is appalling due to its murky waters and an immoral society; they find it the best place to spend their free time and nights. As the narrator explains, the lake was at some time in the past clean. Then, the lake was known as “Wakan” a name that symbolizes the clarity of its waters by the original Indian inhabitants. The events of the night change the narrator and his two friend’s social lives. When they come out of their hiding places they are now sure what they would want with their lives (Boyle, 1985).
"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" tells of a story of Oscar Wao, a geeky overweight boy living in New Jersey. The novel begins with the earlier life of Oscar Wao as a child through to his life in high school and college. Oscar was socially alienated by friends in school due to his appearance and a penchant for science fiction. Though Oscar is the main character, the story is told through Yunior—a boyfriend to his sister Lola who tries to help Oscar to bring out the man in him. Oscar loves women and is anxious to be intimate with them only to always mess up by doing something that makes them fear. His dreams never materialize. As told in the nove...