Now for the big question, is Violence Bear it Away a bildungsroman?

Now for the big question, is Violence Bear it Away a bildungsroman? In many ways one could argue that it is indeed, though not in a positive light. Francis grows up under the influence of Old Tarwarter and Rayber becoming very much as they were. Thus in this world he came of age in the sense that he was influenced by and leaned from those whom surrounded him. Yet in another very real sense one could argue that he never truly came of age. For Francis never truly was able to question the environment he was in much less leave it. Unlike Lucy he was not able to find a room with a view and enter society. In the same way he is unable, partly due to insanity, to understand himself. Though he grapples with the concept of love he is never truly able to experience it. Love is a key factor when discussing coming of age for can one truly mature when love is missing? I am not left convinced that this novel is a bildungsroman, however I allow for the fact that many generations have fallen into this pattern of isolation and in a sense have grown up under extreme values and ideals.