Young men and women become adults through experience. As people age, they lose their innocence by living and encountering new aspects of life. Charles Ryder, from the novel Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh, displays this archetypal loss of innocence. Throughout the story, Charles undergoes the classic cycle of separation, transformation, and return, which leads him into becoming a mature adult.

Early in the novel, Charles seems sure of himself, but he does not know what he is or what he wishes to become. He has had little experience in life and does not hold the wisdom to make knowledgeable decisions about his beliefs and goals. Charles first starts to move away from this innocent way of life when he meets Sebastian Flyte. Charles was drawn into Sebastian's "different" way of life. He states, "I date my Oxford life from my first meeting with Sebastian" (24). Sebastian is a socialite who holds great charm, which he uses as protection from the outside world. Sebastian acts as a guide for Charles showing him a new side of Oxford, and a side of life that Charles has not known. The two party together, spend money lavishly, living a way of life that Charles hasn't lived before; one

As Charles progresses through life, he endures the model process of separation, initiation and return. He tackles much in life and learns from times gone by, enabling him to better understand himself and others. The more Charles travels through life, the more wisdom he gains, but he never leaves the past behind him. The archetypal transformation includes a return. Charles's return is symbolic and literal when he returns to Brideshead and reflects upon his yesteryear. Finally, at the age of 39, he completes his journey to understanding his life and the lives of people close to him. Charles has reached his point of self-satisfaction, just as we all hope to do someday in life.

that he can use to look back upon later in life. Even while still at Oxford Charles uses his life with Sebastian to help affect his thoughts. Charles admits, "I felt at heart that this was not all Oxford had to offer" (28). Charles gains experience in life, which helps him come to this conclusion. In his early days at Oxford, Charles is able to separate from his past way of innocent life through Sebastian, and he begins to analyze the world around him more thoroughly.

Charles concludes his process of maturation when he returns to Brideshead while working as a captain in the military. After going through so much with the Marchmaims, his wife, painting, and the war Charles has gained much wisdom in life. Charles Ryder feels as if he has gone through it all and seen all he nee

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Approximate Word count = 989
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)