Saplings in the Storm

1 Pages 266 Words

“Saplings in the Storm”
In “Saplings in the Storm,” written by Mary Pipher the issue of teenage girls as they mature from girls to adults is shown to be a very complex transition. This transition does not end once a girl finishes puberty either, it is a lifelong process. Pipher goes on to discuss the different phases in a girl’s life after she has reached puberty and beyond.
Pipher points out how in a girl’s younger years, she is curious and anxious to learn about the world. Unfortunately, that all changes once she reaches puberty. She no longer is interested in learning about the wonders of the world. She becomes docile, and keeps her thoughts to herself. Her appearance and boys become a much higher priority than expanding the mind. The adventurous nature is gone, and her existence is only for the pleasure of others. Pipher quotes Diredot in a letter to a friend, “You all die at 15,” (267). This quote is very powerful and very true. From my own experience, I can attest to this fact.
Around the time when I was 15, school was no longer a huge priority for me. Boys, who were never important before, became a huge priority in life. I think this is the problem of many girls that age; the opposite sex becomes a central focus in their life. Because of this, my grades dropped drastically. Before, I had many interests, but when I started focusing on boys, my appearance became very time consuming....