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Teen Stereotypes

Decent Essays
John Marsden, the author of Tomorrow, When the War Began once said about teenagers: “I believe passionately in their strength, intelligence and abilities and I think we often underestimate their capabilities.” The way society and the media negatively perceive young teenagers does not necessarily represent reality. Through Marsden’s popular text, different characters demonstrate several aspects of courage and leadership. As one of the protagonists, Ellie Linton discovers that there is a new potential truth for Australia. The author raises three key concepts about teenage stereotypes by Ellie’s survival during the invasion of a foreign force. John Marsden suggests that she experiences a rapid transformation from a ‘tomboy’ to a hero and is placed in dangerous situations where the consequences are everlasting. Through Ellie’s actions, behaviours and reactions, he also informs the reader about her alters in reality when she learns about the qualities she thought she never had.

In the novel, Ellie undergoes major changes when forced to face the brutality of the war. She mentally and physically transforms herself from being an unsophisticated, country girl to a headstrong, independent woman. “At that moment I stopped being an innocent rural teenager and started becoming someone else, a more complicated capable person, a force to be reckoned with even, not just a polite obedient kid.” (Page 82) In addition, “We believed we were safe. That was the big fantasy. Now we know we’re
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