Coming of Age

The popular "coming of age" genre, in most if not all forms of both fiction and non-fiction writing, is defined by the journey of a central character from youth to adulthood. Manifestations of this journey can take several forms and affect several different aspects of a character's life - sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, as well as economic. The central character of "A Personal Matter" undergoes exactly this sort of journey, one that manifests (albeit to varying degrees) in each of these main areas. In terms of sexuality, he moves from both relative inexperience and revulsion with the human body into experience and a celebration of the body, and from emotional selfishness to emotional responsibility. He moves from psychological immaturity to a somewhat more adult view of the world and relationships, and from a self-centered, "why me, God?" sort of spirituality into one in which he perceives...