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Thus, Hinton and Ness’s novels analyze how trauma, inevitable and necessary,
affects an adolescent’s growth into adulthood. Through Byron and Conor’s discovery that
life is uncontrollable no matter what financial or mentorship status the pair has, the
protagonists and readers are witnesses to the hard truth that life as an impending adult is
vastly complicated. By showing honest optimism from Byron and Conor’s trauma,
Hinton and Ness deconstruct old perceptions of trauma being incurable and everlasting.
Traumatic events and transitions in growth do, indeed, affect adolescents powerfully and
negatively. However, the novels also show trauma as a part of adolescent life. With the
understanding of reality gained from trauma, Byron and Conor have the necessary
experience to survive adulthood. Ultimately, Ness and Hinton’s novels not only discuss
adolescents changed by traumatic events, but show these adolescents surviving the
difficult and natural trauma of growing up.
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