Paragraph Essay Example

one man confronted the three boys and tested their bravery. However, when the situation became overwhelming, they fled the scene, exposing their flaws as even the toughest teenagers can have. Their cowardly retreat raised questions about their integrity and maturity, making people wonder if they would act similarly to avoid looking weak.

Even with their backs against the wall, they cared little about appearances because safety is a priority for everyone. Moreover, the narrator sees himself as a terrified child afraid of growing up but tries to portray a tough persona to fit in. He admits, "I understood, and stumbled back in horror and revulsion, my mind yanked in six different directions (I was nineteen, a mere child, an infant, and here in the space of five minutes I had attacked one greasy character and stumbled upon a waterlogged carcass of a second)" (T. Shortchanges Bayle).

The narrator exploits the fact that he is still a child who never thinks before acting. This could have cost him his elite status. He realizes that being tough suits other people, but not himself. Ultimately, the boys conclude that behaving "bad" may look and feel cool, but it often leads to tragic outcomes if they succumb to peer pressure. In Sylvia Plate's "Inhalation," a quiet question arises: Do teenagers engage in risky behaviors because they truly want to, or simply because everyone else does?

In the story "Initiation," the main character Emollient eagerly waits to be initiated into a secluded sorority. However, as she is assigned chores, she begins to question whether she truly wants to proceed with the initiation. She feels sick and wonders how

she will manage to approach the stern-faced people who are coldly staring out of the window (Sylvia Plate).

Certain initiation dares like this one cause Emollient to regret her decision of joining the sorority. Despite her fears, she overcomes them and completes all the assigned tasks. This displays maturity. However, Emollient occasionally disobeys orders and even gets punished for smiling at a boy.

Emollient reached a point where she no longer feared any task assigned to her and instead found a sense of amusement in her duties. Initiation no longer bothered her, as she confidently moved through Lowliest Square, visiting different stores and making peculiar requests with a joyous attitude. Emollient found it amusing when people initially stared at her but then brightened up, answering her unconventional questions as if she held importance. Sylvia Plate's quote highlights that while Emollient initially conformed to the typical behavior expected during initiation, she ultimately displayed maturity and independence throughout the entire process.

The stories "Greasy Lake" and "Initiation" both emphasize the significance of maturity in various situations, as it is crucial to act like adults rather than children. The narrator in "Greasy Lake" showed no regard for others when he attempted a terrible act with the assistance of his friends. On the other hand, Emollient demonstrated maturity in "Initiation" by accomplishing her goal of becoming a member of the sorority but choosing to distance herself from the group. She believed that she didn't need to be a follower to make friends or be noticed. Emollient had learned that there were alternative ways to enter the grand hall filled with people and life.This quote emphasizes the idea that breaking away from

the group ultimately leads to success, as people are drawn to independent individuals. Even when it seems safer to follow others, learning to step aside and embrace leadership reveals one's authority. In "Greasy Lake," the narrator initially displays his masculinity, but as his repulsive qualities diminish, he commits a horrible act that changes how others perceive him and highlights his negative traits. L assaulted him with a tire iron, instantly incapacitating him. The effect was astounding - the narrator was like a balloon about to burst, while L remained unaffected. He collapsed, wet his pants, and was completely defeated." (T. Shortchanges Bayle). The narrator confronts a seemingly formidable opponent who holds his own against the three boys until he is knocked unconscious by a tire iron. In this moment, the narrator feels invincible and takes out his frustration on the man's helpless wife. In sum, both the narrator and Emollient make choices that greatly impact their future, either positively or negatively. Peer pressure often influences our actions and decisions, but ultimately it is how one deals with the situation that determines their character.Due to the impacts of peer pressure, individuals often find themselves compelled to engage in actions forced upon them, leading to even worse situations. The realm of peer pressure targets people's weaknesses and vulnerabilities, drawing them towards unfavorable associations. To avoid succumbing to peer pressure, the most effective defense is the ability to say "no" against persistent temptations that arise during one's teenage years and even later in life. Overall, people tend to underestimate the strength and potency of peer pressure, making it incredibly challenging to escape its grip once entangled within it.