Boys Life: Techniques Used to Develop Loss of Innocence In the novel "Boys Life," the author develops a coming of age (loss of innocence) theme through many different techniques in his writing. The author uses techniques such as setting, magical realism, irony, characterization, and symbolism to set the stage for the story to take place the way it does. The characters live through many experiences that end up changing their lives. Cory, the main character, has many things happen to him in his life that are very confusing to him and that he doesn't understand. He doesn't realize