Growing Pains, Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken

"To be mature means to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes." says Fritz Kunkel. This postulate is demonstrated through the character Paul in Conrad Aiken's Silent Snow, Secret Snow. This young boy is beginning to mature and grow out of his childhood, and he goes through a state of repudiation that comes to life as a psychosis. In fear, he reaches for his past and his childhood, which are represented by his …

…a flower becoming a seed" (184) Man's fear of growing up is a part of all men, and sometimes is unavoidable. Paul is an example of human weakness, and of the people who cannot face their fears, and show bravery. For all have fear, and bravery does not mean a lack of fear. However, all must be brave in the face of the fear of maturity, else all will live cold, remote, safe, and sleepy lives.