Gaze of the phoenix

‘Gaze of the phoenix’ is a moral story with a fairy tale ring to it. It borrows from ancient Persian, Greek, Egyptian, Chinese, Phoenician, even Native American, mythologies of the fire bird in order to create the effect of an ancient world. The use of a phoenix, a statuette, might compel the reader to ponder if the narrative should target children. But the story alludes to sex and intimacy, hinges around romantic relationship, all themes that surround the interests of an adolescent. In this element, it presents itself as crossover text (Beckton 2014) where a child, a young adolescent (perhaps 12 – 13), a new adult (aged 17+, capped at 25), even an adult may read it and find enjoyment. Young adult literature has had its share of authors who have stretched boundaries (Crowe 2002: 116). Take example of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels that started off as children’s stories, but gathered strength in adolescents, and adults. The use of narratological devices such as voice, theme and dialogue in ‘Gaze of the phoenix’ help to engage the reader, irrespective of whichever audience preconception they may approach the story with. The period of emerging adulthood is, for some, relatively free of ‘the rules of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood’ (Halpern-Meekin et al.: 3), but situations can occur to a young adult that stem from emotional and relational conflict, things that forge erratic behaviour where value systems are not well shaped. Perhaps this is what is evidenced in our new adult Lucia whose character manifests itself as naturally vain, where she is unable to grow into her marriage with likeable lover/husband Teron and her flaws eventually consume her.