Final answer:
The 'crossing the threshold' stage is the liminal phase in a rite of passage where an individual, guided by mentors, transitions between social statuses, characterized by humility and uniformity until they are formally incorporated into society with a new status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Crossing the Threshold in Rites of Passage
The crossing the threshold stage refers to the liminal or transition phase in rites of passage, a concept first identified by anthropologist Arnold Van Gennep. During this phase, the individual is no longer in their previous status but has not yet reached their new one. It is marked by a sense of ambiguity and a period of instruction and teaching under the guidance of mentors. Victor Turner further elaborated on this, calling it 'betwixt and between,' which is characterized by humility, uniform dress, and obedience. This stage is essential in transitioning an individual from one social stage to another, through a process that includes tests, trials, or activities. It often concludes with a public presentation or incorporation of the individual back into society with their new status.