Best coming of age short short stories: How can one identify the best coming of age short short stories?

One great coming of age short story is 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. It shows a young man's growth in the face of extreme danger. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which makes the young protagonist and readers question the traditions they've grown up with. Also, 'A&P' by John Updike is good. It tells about a young store clerk's moment of realization about society and his own place in it.

You can start by asking for recommendations from librarians. They are well - versed in literature and can point you to some great coming - of - age short stories. Also, check out classic literature anthologies. They often include some of the best - known and highly regarded short stories in this genre.

Well, 'The Scarlet Ibis' is an excellent coming - of - age short story. It tells a poignant tale of two brothers, one of whom has a disability, and how the older brother deals with guilt and growth. Then there's 'The Most Dangerous Game' which, while more of an adventure story, also has elements of the main character's coming - of - age as he faces life - threatening situations and moral dilemmas. 'To Build a Fire' can also be considered in a way, as the man in the story learns a harsh lesson about nature and his own limitations, which is a form of coming of age.

The shortcoming could be the limited perspective. Some short coming of age stories only show one side of the coming - of - age experience, like only focusing on the positive aspects of growing up or only the negative. This doesn't give a full and realistic view. Also, the dialogue can be stilted. In an attempt to convey the message quickly, the conversations between characters might not feel natural, lacking the nuances and hesitations that real - life conversations have.

To overcome the lack of character depth, authors can use more internal monologues or flashbacks to reveal the character's past and how it shapes them. For the rushed plot, they can focus on fewer key events and develop them more fully. Regarding clichés, they should try to subvert or twist the typical tropes. For instance, make the rebellious teen have a more complex reason for their rebellion.

A good coming - of - age short story often has a relatable protagonist. For example, a young teen dealing with typical problems like school or family. It also usually has a clear arc of growth, like learning a lesson or changing perspective. For instance, in 'A&P', the main character goes from being a carefree cashier to realizing the implications of his actions.

The theme of growing up and facing reality is prevalent. For instance, in 'To Build a Fire', the man has to face the unforgiving nature which is a harsh reality. Rebellion can also be a theme, like Holden Caulfield's rebellion against the adult world in 'The Catcher in the Rye'. And the theme of first love or romantic awakening is common too, as seen in 'Araby' where the boy experiences his first feelings of love.

One classic is 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. It follows Holden Caulfield as he struggles with the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Another is 'Araby' by James Joyce, which beautifully depicts a young boy's first love and disillusionment. And 'A&P' by John Updike is also great, showing a young clerk's moment of realization about society and his own place in it.

One famous coming of age short story is 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. It follows the journey of Holden Caulfield as he grapples with the transition from adolescence to adulthood, dealing with themes like alienation and the loss of innocence.

These stories can be very inspiring. They can give hope to readers who are also in the process of coming of age. If a character overcomes difficulties in a story, it can encourage the reader to do the same. Moreover, they can educate readers about different cultures and time periods. A coming of age story set in a different country or era can teach us about the unique challenges and values of that place and time.