If you ever need to grow up fast, then just follow Eilis' example—cross the sea in a cruddy ocean liner, meet a hunky Italian-American, and then return home for a confusing visit to Ireland following your sister's death. Easy, right?
While you might not be able to follow Eilis' example to a "t," we're more than confident that her struggles in Brooklyn—and boy are there struggles—will teach you quite a bit about what it means to grow up, to adapt to new places, and to persevere through hardships. Not a bad day at the office, huh?
Questions About Coming of Age
- Is there a specific moment that marks Eilis' transition into adulthood? If so, why is this moment important?
- Does Rose help or hinder Eilis' coming of age?
- How does the change in culture affect Eilis' coming of age experience?
- Is Eilis a mature adult by the end of the novel? Why or why not?