The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

Milestones and rites of passage throughout the story comprise a motif that supports the theme “Growing Up and Growing Wiser.” Some rites of passage are heralded by independent decision making. Byron’s new hairstyle, chosen by him without his parents’ knowledge or permission, is one example; Byron also requires no winter clothing layers the way his younger siblings do, and he skips school occasionally.

This motif is evident in pretend roles as well. When Dad brings home the Ultra-Glide, he welcomes Kenny and Joey into pretend adult roles to reveal the surprise. Kenny used to enjoy the morning shaving ritual in a pretend role but no longer does. He also used to “steer” the car while on his dad’s lap, and he still wants to enjoy this rite of passage: “Yeah, does that mean I get to do it on the way to Alabama?” (124).

When Dad explains to Kenny the reasons why Byron will stay in Birmingham, Dad describes the milestones Byron should be achieving but is not: “[…] there are somethings that Byron has to learn and he’s not learning them in Flint, and the things he is learning are things we don’t want him to” (122). In contrast, Mr. Robert describes his dog who doesn’t hunt any longer, a strong symbol of getting older and leaving milestones behind: “There’s times at night I hear him howl and I know he’s dreaming about being back in the woods, but both of us know that’s gone” (153).