This thread of thought connects to the question of why certain ages turn adolescents into adults so suddenly. At age 18 in the US, people are immediately adults and thus their "mistakes" are considered crimes. Although I'm not sure of the rules in late 19th Century Ireland, Stephen seems to think he should be judged before God like an adult. In our customs I think Stephen would be judged as an adolescent because of the age he is. However his self-entitlement as being more mature or special than others his age seems to be part of the reason he judges himself as an adult.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Mistake or Sin?
Making mistakes is a central concept to coming-of-age. Letting adolescents make mistakes is often seen as necessary for growth and maturation. In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen believes he is eternally damned for his indulgence in sin. However, this brings up the question whether Stephen's sin is an adolescent mistake or actual sin. He seems not yet old enough to be damned for life but his actions are, as he says, "mortal sin". How far can young adults go for mistakes to stop be considered life lessons? In our own system, minors aren't tried for crimes the same way adults are. Unlike this, Stephen seems to think he would be judged the same way as an adult in the eyes of God for his sin.
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I think your'e comparison here with god and the Judicial system is super interesting. When Stephen is doing things he's never concerned about the law or what his family will things, it is all god that he doesn't want to get in trouble with. In that sense, god really does seem like the law in Stephens life.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you. Even as scientific research is pointing towards the extended time period of adolescence, by law once you're 18 in the United States, you're accountable for your own actions. But what really separates a 17 teen year old and a 19 year old? In most cases they still rely on their parents for financial support, and different people mature at different rates. And yet, you could argue that someone who commits a crime at 50 may have just been raised in a tumultuous climate or that it is because of certain chance environmental factors that he/she did it. Like you said, at what point can misdemeanors start being what holds a person accountable?
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting to think about. I feel the same turning from 16 to 17, what will change when I turn 18? We are still the same people, so why are crimes treated differently. But I feel like this applies more with young age. If we see a crime committed by a 5 year old we know for sure they haven't matured yet so we do not sentence them. Just like Anna said, at what point can we decide?
ReplyDeleteShort but sweet, for sure. I think that your point about todays society and how as soon as we hit a certain mark we are punished for what we do is valid and a serious concern. This to me goes against COA and the idea of maturity. I second Anna and Saahithi.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to think about how much sin is excusable to kids and young people because they haven't learned. Where should the line be drawn and should there be a line at all? I think that a lot of Stephen's sinning was not a big deal until he made it one.
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