Through the development of characters that are outsiders, literature is a way of questioning the values of society which is recognized throughout, Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and J.D. Salinger’s novel ‘The Catcher in the rye’. These two stories feature completely different plots, although the two books show multiple overlapping themes. Outsiders are often perceived to be the odd one out, and they show this by the way they act, and the way they make themselves known. Both Scout from ‘To kill a mocking bird’, and Holden from ‘The Catcher in the rye’ are seen as foreigners but for wholly different reasons.
Unlike Scout, Holden shares his past experiences as a distressed minor, where the entire story is spoken through his own distraught mind. The novel takes place in first person which allows Holden to speak his mind although more often than not it disfigures experiences had by him. Salinger illustrates the reasoning behind Holden’s immaturity by demonstrating his untrustworthy qualities.
I think Holden Caulfield shows both his personal
…show more content…
Immediately.”
Scout does not at all like the idea of becoming a young lady and by using a hyperbolic metaphor of the walls closing in on her and the dress acting as a ‘as exaggeration and figure of speech which emphasizes the persona’s feeling of desperation It is commonly perceived that as a society it is mandatory for everyone to grow up and become an adult. But this is not the case for Scout, as she wants to cling onto her childhood much like Holden.
To kill a mockingbird and the catcher in the rye have two main things in common and that is that both protagonists have unceasing troubles of letting go of things and growing older. An example of this is when Holden says, “The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’s move
Due to J.D Salinger’s personal and relatable narrative treatment, Catcher in the Rye continues to engage audiences, even 64 years after it was first published. The way the book deals with alienation and disillusionment in regards to Holden’s past trauma - through the closeness of first person narration and conversational writing among other techniques - creates a personal connection to Holden’s character and helps adolescents relate his troubles to their own.
The bildungsroman ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D Salinger and the play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams are both post-World War Two narratives which incorporate protagonists that challenge contemporary American attitudes. Blanche DuBois and Holden Caufield are quintessential examples of characters who subvert societal expectations, impositions and hegemony of America in the late 1940s and early 50s, the author and playwright have the plot revolve around these characters and their itinerant lifestyles as they literally and socially move from one milieu to another. Both Salinger and Williams use a plethora of literary devices such as symbolism, juxtaposition and imagery whether it is visual, auditory or olfactory to highlight
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
Catcher in the Rye is one of the most famous books in American literature. Written by J. D. Salinger, it captures the epitome of adolescence through Salinger’s infamous anti-hero, Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield learns about himself and his negative tendencies, and realizes that if he does not do something to change his perspective, he may end up like his acquaintance James Castle whom he met at Elkton Hills. Holden tries to find help to mend his outlook on life through Mr. Antolini so he does not end up like James, who did not want to face the problems he created for himself. This is proven by the similarities between James Castle and Holden, Mr. Antolini’s willingness to try and help Holden, and Holden’s future being forecasted by James.
This essay outlines how J.D. Salinger creates a unique person in Holden Caulfield as he strives to find his place in the world as he moves from childhood to adulthood.. Holden narrates this story from the first person in flashback recounting events that happened to him over a two day span the previous year around Christmas. He narrates this story from some sort of mental hospital or institution. This is a clue as to how this journey affected him. This essay discusses how Holden views himself as he is growing up, affected by interaction with other characters, and how he is affected by loss of innocence moving from childhood to adulthood.
In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger develops Holden Caulfield as a morally ambiguous character. Throughout the book, Salinger speaks as Holden and introduces him as a callous and subjective individual. However, the author permits the reader to be within Holden’s mind, giving the audience an alternative perspective of Holden’s true character. Without the obscurity of Holden’s personality, the work would lack a crucial element. As the protagonist, Holden serves as an equivocal adolescent that is relatable for the reader.
Holden Caulfield, portrayed in the J.D. Salinger novel Catcher in the Rye as an adolescent struggling to find his own identity, possesses many characteristics that easily link him to the typical teenager living today. The fact that the book was written many years ago clearly exemplifies the timeless nature of this work. Holden's actions are those that any teenager can clearly relate with. The desire for independence, the sexually related encounters, and the questioning of ones religion are issues that almost all teens have had or will have to deal with in their adolescent years. The novel and its main character's experiences can easily be related to and will forever link Holden with every member of society, because everyone in the world was or will be a teen sometime in their life.
Protected by a cocoon of naiveté, Holden Caulfield, the principal character in the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, therapeutically relates his lonely 24 hour stay in downtown New York city, experiencing the "phony" adult world while dealing with the death of his innocent younger brother. Through this well-developed teenage character, JD Salinger, uses simple language and dialogue to outline many of the complex underlying problems haunting adolescents. With a unique beginning and ending, and an original look at our new society, The Catcher in the Rye is understood and appreciated on multiple levels of comprehension. The book provides new insights and a fresh view of the world in which adolescents live.
...ething I just don’t understand. I swear to God I don’t” (63). What teenager does understand sex? Not one, which means everyone is going to be able to relate to Holden. The story being in first person narration also creates an intimate bond between reader and character, as the reader directly hears Holden’s thoughts as if Holden himself is talking to them. It creates the intimacy and feeling of understanding many teens crave while transitioning through a rough period in their life.
Some people feel all alone in this world, with no direction to follow but their empty loneliness. The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D Salinger, follows a sixteen-year-old boy, Holden Caulfield, who despises society and calls everyone a “phony.” Holden can be seen as a delinquent who smokes tobacco, drinks alcohol, and gets expelled from a prestigious boarding school. This coming-of-age book follows the themes of isolation, innocence, and corrupted maturity which is influenced from the author's life and modernism, and is shown through the setting, symbolism, and diction.
Holden attacks various weaknesses in the 50's society. He criticizes nearly everything that he observes, and refuses to pull punches. Often Holden uses his brilliant talent of observation to discover the true motives behind the people he calls "phony." Through his observations the reader can interpret Salinger's view of the 1950's culture. Holden's perceptions of paranoia, conformity, and the consumer culture convey Salinger's views.
Jerome David Salinger’s only novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is based on the life events shaping main character, Holden Caulfield, into the troubled teen that is telling the story in 1950. The theme of the story is one of emotional disconnection felt by the alienated teenagers of this time period. The quote, “ I didn’t know anyone there that was splendid and clear thinking and all” (Salinger 4) sets the tone that Holden cannot find a connection with anyone around him and that he is on a lonely endeavor in pursuit of identity, acceptance and legitimacy. The trials and failures that Holden faces on his journey to find himself in total shed light on Holden’s archenemy, himself.
A story of tragedy, despair, and sex, Holden guides us through a series of nights in the Novel, The Catcher in the Rye. This book of teenage angst is narrated through the eyes of Holden Caulfield. Holden, a confused and depressed teenager, who tells his story in such a way that makes him look as if he were always in the right even when he is actually in the wrong. For this specific reason, it is commonly believed that Holden cannot be a reliable source for narration throughout “The Catcher and the Rye” and many believe to think that he is biased in some cases towards people who have his approval and himself. This essay will support these theses and go more in depth with the analysis of error within the corruption of narration throughout Salinger’s,
It is amazing that two completely different characters could not only be faced with an identical dilemma, but also both react in such comparable ways. The resemblance of the characters’ struggles because of alienation in the popular novels The Catcher in the Rye and Speak is astonishing. Alienation can be caused by many factors and result in many consequences. But it is interesting how the situations individuals face can be quite similar. Within Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, and Anderson’s novel, Speak, both protagonists are alienated by those around them. As a result, they must endure the negative effects of this isolation and, ultimately it leads both these individuals to alienate themselves.
Who is seen as a troubled and secluded teen. Using psychoanalytic literary theory one can see Salinger's use of flashbacks in the whole novel. Holden is revealed to be in a rest home at