TVBIA- a bildungsroman

If a bildungsroman is technically a “Coming of Age” story, then it can be argued that The Violent Bear It Away is a coming of age story, despite the repulsive nature of Frank’s developments. Although the level of “maturity” to which Frank ascends is disturbing to readers, it still is a “coming into one’s own” in the context of Old Tarwater’s aspirations for Frank, his raising Frank as a to-be prophet, and his putting the responsibility of Bishop’s baptism on Frank’s shoulders. Frank struggles against each of these throughout the novel, but in the end, accepts them, including the duty and message that he believes God has chosen and asked him to share. In addition, Frank certainly passes from childhood innocence and confusion into full-fledged dementia and degradation as he murders Bishop with the approval of Rayber, and is homosexually assaulted by “the lilac traveler.” He also acquires the insatiable hunger that Old Tarwater had before him (perhaps it is linked to the mental illness), and manages to fight off his spiritual doubts. Even though readers would hope that he might somehow escape, Frank “successfully” grows into his destiny as an insane, self-proclaimed prophet.