Compare And Contrast Holden Caulfield And Jem Finch

Can you imagine someone who is loving, courageous, and innocent? You might think of superheroes or the protagonist in an action movement, many ordinary people may possess all these qualities. J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, depicts the heart-wrenching story of a young teenager’s battle to fit with the world around him. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, describes a young boy's comprehension of his surroundings while protecting his little sister. Holden Caulfield and Jem Finch are portrayed as innocent, courageous, and loving children who learn new lessons as they move forward through their long journey, life. Although, at first sight these two characters seem completely different, upon closer inspection they actually

share many similarities. Both young boys are trying to go in the right path, in order to ensure a safe path for their growing sisters.

As they encounter several dilemmas throughout their voyage, both change and advance to become a better person. Holden and Jem augment their affection towards their siblings and learn about the coexistence of good and evil across their jaunt.

Holden and Jem attempt to protect their younger sisters, Phoebe and Scout, by doing everything in their reach, to clear the paths from all noticeable obstructions. Jem expresses love for his sister when he saved Scout from Bob Ewell, while coming back from the school pageant, by risking his own life for Scout’s life. Scout recalls, “ He slowly squeezed the breath out of me. I could not move. Suddenly he was jerked backwards and flung on the ground, almost carrying me with him. I thought Jem’s up.”(Lee, 265). At the end of the novel, the readers learn about Jem’s severe injury

from this incident, and also learn Jem put his, once more, life in danger, for the safety of Scout. Jem and Scout’s relationship grew stronger as the book progressed, which made the reader feel the extensive affection they show for each other. Holden, on the other hand, knows his path has several flaws, aspires to show Phoebe the right path. Holden confronts explicit words which makes him uncomfortable letting Phoebe see, “But while I was sitting down, I saw something that drove me crazy. Somebody’d written ‘FUCK YOU’ on the wall. I thought Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it...I kept wanting to kill whoever'd written it” (Salinger, 201). Holden’s attempt to eliminate all the atrocious objects that Phoebe might encounter, even if possible, shows how much Holden cares about his sister. In fact, Holden is overprotective of his sister, of the loss of Holden’s younger brother, Allie. Holden wants to act as a role model for Phoebe, Holden changes his actions accordingly. Jem and Holden center their attention towards their siblings lives, to support them and encourage them to lead a safe and honest life.
Additionally, both characters come to the realization of the existence of good and evil in different people.

Jem realizes this when his society, the one Jem thought would always have only a pleasant side, turned against his father and the black man Atticus was defending. Atticus explains how there can be different types of people, “Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man...he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us...you’ll understand folks better when you’re older. A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man.” (Lee, 157). Jem became aware of the different types of people: people who were regarded “sterling” in society’s eyes could also have an unpleasant side, and the people who were regarded “unpleasant” in society’s eye, like Mr. Dolphus Raymond, could also have a delightful side. Similarly, Holden, in the beginning of the novel, used to think that everyone seemed like a “phony”, but Holden later learns to distinguish people based on their actions and characteristics. When Holden encounters Maurice and Sunny when they come back to get five more dollars, Holden loses complete trust of them, of their “phony” actions. When Holden meets the nun, Holden feels pity for them and gives them a donation, even if the nuns were not ready to accept it at first. Holden now knows the different types of people in the world; ones who can be trusted, and others who cannot be trusted. Holden and Jem also

learn that one cannot judge people without any evidence.
Holden Caulfield and Jem Finch develop a greater affection towards their growing sisters, as they both learn about the coexistence of good and evil in their long journey. Holden thinks only children are innocent, and that adults are corrupt. In holden’s world, everything has been corrupted by vulgarities, however, Holden can find peace and feel comfortable when he thinks about his childhood and when he thinks about his childhood and when he talks to younger children. Jem seemed confused when people around him start to accused his dad, since Atticus supported Tom Robinson, a black man. Jem tried to head the right direction and also led the correct path for Scout. Holden and Jem start to show more affection to their siblings, of the drastic change caused by a few circumstances. I can compare myself with Holden and Jem, since I am willing to protect my younger sister, Ishita, if there are any hazardous obstacles which she may come across. I want to act as a role model for my sister, and I want to step with the right foot forward, in order for my sister to become a better person. Even if I am headed the wrong way, I will correct myself to make my sister go in the right path.