In some ways The Virgin Suicides is kind of an anti-coming-of-age novel. Its protagonists are all on the cusp of adulthood, ranging in age from thirteen to seventeen. Unfortunately, they don't make it past adolescence. They choose death rather than facing the challenges of real life growing up. What made the prospect of growing up so unbearable? It could have been grief over losing their sister; or the lack of guidance from their mother; or their mother's imposed isolation that would have made it impossible to have a supportive group of friends who were dealing with the same struggles. Their coming of age would have been distorted and stunted, so they opted out. There's something about the ending of a young life that's particularly tragic; this novel piles it on.
Questions About Coming of Age
- Why do you think it's the youngest daughter that kills herself first?
- What kinds of pressures do the girls face as they grow up?
- How does Mrs. Lisbon deal with her daughters' coming of age?
Chew on This
That anyone survives the turbulence of adolescence is a minor miracle, especially if you have parents like the Lisbons.
Most people make it through the teen years without serious problems. The Lisbon sisters are an aberration.