Coming of Age

Coming of age is a major and dominant theme in the novel Ashfall by Mike Mullin. Thematically, coming of age involves the emotional, ethical, spiritual, and character growth or maturation of an individual dealing with real world experiences and encounters. The theme of coming of age affects primarily the characters of Alex and Darla in the novel, each with important and lasting consequences. Indeed, Alex and Darla ultimately learn a lot from each other as they grow as people.

Alex begins the novel as a typical teenager: he plays computer games, hangs out with friends, and doesn't think much about anything else. Forced out of his home by the supervolcano, Alex sees three men killed in front of him as they attempt to break into the house of his neighbors. He sees people having committed suicide, frozen to death, experiences the effects of looting, stealing, rape...