This is a "coming-of-age" story, in the sense that Simon's experiences function as a rite of passage, from boyhood to manhood. Simon's development, over the course of the story, begins when he is a "small" boy, rescuing the falcon from the mast. Two years later, at seventeen, he has significantly matured, physically: "Simon had been small for his age all his life, but this last winter he had grown, and had become strong of limb." Yet, at this point, Simon is still a boy. However, the acts of killing a man (Ivan) and kissing a girl (Nora) function as rites of passage, ushering him into full manhood. After he leaves Nora, Simon enters a house where a group of people are dancing. It is at this point that he experiences a shift in his.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 655 words. This
study guide contains 12,415 words (approx. 41 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our The Sailor-Boy's Tale Access Pass.
