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Which stories are being criticized here? I can't think of any examples of this kind of coming of age story.
I can't come up with examples from modern popular culture, but I do remember the C.S. Lewis novels in the Narnia series often ending that way, as though the battles in Narnia were somehow less real. But those stories are a bit niche at this point.
Aslan didn't allow the oldest girl into "heaven" with the other kids in the last book because she... checks notes... wore makeup and liked boys. C S Lewis got reeeal puritanical towards the end of that series.
That's not a great representation, she didn't die in the train crash because she became distant from her family, so since she's still alive on earth she's obviously not going to "heaven".
There is a one off line about those being her interests which was a weird choice, but it's not like she went to wardrobe hell lol
No it mentions her interest in things Aslan disapproved of a few times or at least alludes to it a few times throughout. Frankly his attude to women and the girls is bloody awful at best.
Got any examples? Wouldn't be surprised, the Christianity themes are not subtle lol, but the line I'm thinking of that references makeup is really just a weird one-off line that he doesn't elaborate on.
But regardless, her story is left open ended because she's still alive. She wasn't denied access into big kitty heaven.
I can't find nd my copy of the books but did find this quote from C.S Lewis
“Peter gets back to Narnia in it. I am afraid Susan does not. Haven’t you noticed in the two you have read that she is rather fond of being too grownup? I am sorry to say that side of her got stronger and she forgot about Narnia.”
It's just such a narrow attitude to children growing up. I love how Philip Pullman covers the same subject by celebrating the change from child to adult (or young adult). C.S Lewis is seems angry that childhood ends and children might have the audacity to change.
Didn't they age into adults in Narnia and ruled there? Then they went home and it was only a few minutes and then they all died as kids at the end, so they didn't so much "lose their powers" as they just straight up died lol. Been a long time since I've read the books though.
Pretty clear that Digimon is one. Which links it to childhood and seems to have a sad/bittersweet ending multiple times. (though averted/retconned for 2 incarnations.)
Not entirely about lost powers but see the Growing Up Sucks trope (and the example subpages)
The concept of "childhood's end" will probably be clearly illustrated, with the now-grown-up character losing something that was fundamental to their happiness as a child.
The child may lose his guardians, Mons, or even his powers, if these all come with a time limit or are directly linked to his status as a child. For example, children are assumed to be wide-eyed, curious, innocent and trusting; adults are usually portrayed as pragmatic, cynical and set in their ways.
A recurring theme in Hayao Miyazaki's films
Sometimes it might be subtle, and sometimes the time limit is an open/common reminder such as Fairly Odd Parents (lose+forget fairies after turning 18, though it being a long-running show I don't know if they even actually ended on that note).
Most magic stories about getting your powers before adulthood hits. Wednesday, Harry Potter, magic school, almost any magic series you search in both Netflix and prime, If you don’t start sensing it before you hit x age you’re not magical just ordinary. It really overplays on the crushing potential older people put on younger people too. This is pretty much all YA formula in books and what has been converted from YA books
Locke & Key has the forgetting magic when becoming an adult trope.
The Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place has all the kids competing to keep their magic powers when they enter adulthood