An author will often use a quest as a catalyst for the protagonist to realize something significant about him/herself. The result of a quest almost always combines the satisfactory completion of the journey’s goals and an increased self-awareness for the protagonist. In adult literature, the quest can be as subtle as driving back to one’s childhood home for a weekend visit with mom. In young adult literature though, a quest is normally not subtle at all.
The most blatant examples of quests in young adult literature feature a teenager being called into “action” by some otherworldly creatures to save their world. Quests in young adult literature are, more often than not, metaphors for coming-of-age. Normally, in the case of YA literature our protagonist will not be completely aware of his/her heritage (Lyra in The Golden Compass), will be caught by surprise by something of importance falling into his/her path (Eragon and the dragon’s egg in Eragon), or will have to deal with some perceived disaster (Dorothy and the tornado in the Wizard of Oz).
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