Difficulties

Author’s note: This is a piece on the similar themes used in the two books April Morning and I Am Number Four.

In life there are certain aspects to the passage from childhood to adulthood that create this transition. In the books April Morning by Howard Fast and I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore the disagreements between the adult authority figure and the adolescent play a key role in this theme. There are many similar themes in these two books but the main one is “growing up”. This theme presents many challenges to the main characters of each book. Some of the challenges are conflicts, loss of innocence and overcoming adversity. The challenges experienced by the main characters play pivotal roles in their transition from childhood to adulthood.

Conflicts are one of the many challenges adolescents face and can be very hard to overcome. Some conflicts that occur in both books are arguments between the guardian and child. For example in both books the characters have tantamount arguments with their guardian. In April Morning, the main character (Adam) gets into arguments with his dad (Moses) about him being a man. Adam feels that he should be considered a man but his dad doesn’t. This argument affects on how Adam looks at his dad, and realizes the authority needed to be an adult. While in the other book the main character (John) gets in an argument with his guardian about why he tried to run away. John argued with Henri, saying it was because he wanted to start a normal life but eventually Henri explained to him that this is not possible. John realizes what would have happened to him and ends up apologizing to Henri, and is closer to adulthood because he now knows how much thought is needed before he acts.

Another challenge that takes place during the process of growing up would be the loss of innocence. The loss of innocence reflects the changes that a person experiences as they grow up and comes to certain realizations that things aren’t as perfect as they once thought. Coincidently, both of the characters have the same tragic loss of innocence. Moses of April Morning dies in the latter part of the book after getting shot during the war. Adam was present when this happened and experiencing Moses’ death was definitely a cause of the loss of his innocence. Henri, on the other hand, dies while protecting John from the Mogadorians (bad guys). The Mogadorians are trying to kill John and because Henri is John’s guardian he tries to save him, but tragically ends up getting himself killed. The loss of innocence is a common aspect experience by individuals as they mature.

Although these are tough challenges that a person faces in life, I feel that the most difficult one is overcoming adversity. In childhood there are many things a person needs to overcome such as the death of a close family member or friend, injuries to yourself both mentally and physically, or it could even be an argument with someone. When an individual starts overcoming these adversities, they begin to mature. Even a small child faces adversity when overcoming little challenges like walking and taking their first few steps. Each time a person overcomes a new adversity they get a step closer to adulthood. On the journey to this reaching adulthood, an individual is growing up.

            The transition from childhood to adulthood involves many challenges. In both April Morning and I Am Number Four, the main characters faced similar adversities on their passage. Despite the initial non-realization of the importance of the advice they are provided from their guardians, they eventually realize the wisdom and importance of it. Once they accept the advice, it becomes clear that using the knowledge will help to overcome the challenges presented.  It will also assist them into successfully complete their journeys into adulthood.