Sisters, Bosom Chums, and Enemies

This article explores the functions of secondary girl characters in English-language American and Canadian girls’ Bildungsromane. Previously, we have explored literature as a distinct genre, framed theory genre social action, our past scholarship examines ways which pre-WWII Bildungsroman stories emphasize eventual integration into their communities. Rather than having adventures, boys’ coming-of-age texts, noted main grow “down” restrictions, usually (potential) wives mothers. Secondary female these are compared, contrasted, or conflated with close peers they to womanhood, whether function protagonists' “bosom friend,” rival “frenemy,” sibling, classmate. However, without same expectations text’s series’ heroine, often demonstrate alternate paths highlighting diversities serving warning protagonists on journeys.