Vernon’s Initiation Under The Power Discourses

Vernon God Little,written by an Australian born British writer by the name of DBC Pierre,wins 2003 Booker Prize.It presents a critique of contemporary society and also shows humanistic concerns.The author reflects on the social milieu and teenagers’ initiation in such environment.From the perspective of Bildungsroman,this thesis explores the growth environment where Vernon grows up and his growth predicament and bumpy initiation journey.It’s found that families,schools and the media,driven by self-interest,not only ignore the confusions confronting the adolescent,but also avail of their innocence to achieve fame and fortune.Unlike other initiation novels,Vernon God Little goes beyond the conflict between the "helpless"teenagers and the "indifferent" society,and focus on Vernon’s transformation from confusion through resistance to integration into the adult world.The tension between the teenagers’ active integration and the adults’ indifferent exclusion is more powerfully critical than runaway from the adult world.In addition,it provides a way out for young readers who are frustrated on the road to maturityClaiming a large audience,the novel has been approached from various perspectives.But the interpretation of its initiation theme helps dig out Pierre’s artistic talent in dealing with the conflict between individuals and society and the shift of Bildungsroman from social critique to individual concern.