There are many significant issues that young people face as they grow toward adulthood such as romantic illusions, dealing with authority figures, or a first crush or infatuation. These issues are often hard to understand and become learning experiences that they will never forget.

Young people often have romantic illusions about both people and places. When these illusions turn to disillusionment, it can be very hard for them to deal with. In James Joyce's Araby, the boy has romantic illusions about the bazaar in Araby. He thinks the bazaar will be a wonderful event with people everywhere and many beautiful things to choose from. His purpose in going to the bazaar is to buy a gift for Mangan's sister and he wants to impress her with the fact that he was able to go. When he arrives, he quickly finds that the bazaar is not at all like he had imagined. He arrives late and it is cold and dark. Upon entering the building he observes: "Nearly all the stalls were closed and the greater part of the hall was in darkness. I recognized a silence like that which pervades a church after a service.... A few people were gathered about the stalls which were still open" (85). This image is ve

Dealing with a crush or infatuation is another issue for young people when growing up. This issue ties in closely to that of romantic illusions. Often, young people are all consumed with the person they have the crush on and tend to think of them as larger than life. In Joyce's Araby, the boy has a crush on Mangen's sister. He tells how "Every morning I lay on the floor in the front parlour watching her door. The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that I could not be seen. When she came out on the doorstep my heart leaped" (83). He explains that her image was with him always. The boy's image of her was almost that of an angel. When he describes her, it's as if everything in a dark and dingy room lights up because of her presence. When he goes to the bazaar to buy her a gift, he realizes that he really doesn't even know her and is sad to think that perhaps he doesn't really love her after all.

Another issue that young people face is in dealing with authority figures. Young people like to think they already know everything and tend to rebel against authority in some instances. In Cather's A Lost Lady, it is apparent that this is an issue that Ivy Peters will always have trouble with. Ivy's character seems to rebel against authority. For example, he knows that the Forrester's do not permit hunting on their land but is determined to do it anyway. When the boys are having a picnic and run across Ivy, they tell him that he had better hide his gun or Mrs. Forrester will come down and get him. Ivy's response to this is, "She can't see us from the house. And anyhow, she can't say anything to me. I'm just as good as she is" (14). Ivy's statement reveals a lot about his character. At this point, it is obvious that Ivy does not like to be told what to do and as a result, rebels against authority.

An example of a romantic illusion of a person can be found in Willa Cather's A Lost Lady. Niel is in love with what Mrs. Forrester represents. He thinks of her as a lady who is

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Approximate Word count = 1363
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)