Can anyone think of a story where a "boy" goes on a "quest" and by the end becomes a "man"?

Question

It needs to be older, probably before the 20th century to apply to the assignment I'm working on. And it would help if his motivation was to win the heart of a girl. I know I've heard of so many stories with this plot line but I'm having trouble coming up with an actual title. Help?

Answer 1

There's tons, yeah.  Here are a few. :)

Theseus and the Minotaur (Greek mythology)

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse

Iron John (folklore)

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens

Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Answer 2

i no, i cant think of one either. but good luck and maybe u shod search google or wikipedia. my best wishes r with u.

Answer 3

You want a Bildungsroman - a coming of age story.

Try Great Expectations - Dickens

Huckleberry Finn - Twain

or Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - Joyce

Answer 4

i cant think of anything before 20th century but the odd thomas series are kinda like that!

Answer 5

Well, there's always Treasure Island...Jim Hawkins goes on his quest for treasure and returns a lot wiser, although it's definitely not because of any girl's heart. And, of course, if you're able to do it within the 20th century, The Princess Bride is completely perfect. But that's probably too recent.