Similarities Between Catcher In The Rye And Ordinary People

Holden in “The Catcher in the Rye” and Conrad in “Ordinary People” are very similar in a multitude of ways, but also differ in a some ways. They both are dealing with the death of a brother in many similar fashions. Holden and Conrad both keep most of their feelings to themselves and often feel lesser compared to their deceased siblings. Seemingly every action is affected by their brothers’ deaths and as a result, their maturity is drastically slowed. The difference in the two novels comes in the form of the ending and how they both learn to deal with their problems. Holden just begins to understand that his desires are beyond the realm of possibility, while Conrad comes to terms with his situation, changes his outlook and forgives himself.

Both Holden and Conrad, as well as other characters, lack communication with their families, posses a skewed self- identity, and lack control and proper time to heal.
Holden lacks communication with his family due to being outcast by his parents.

His parents hardly care for him, as well as Phoebe, as seen when their mother asks if Phoebe has been smoking. Phoebe lies and says that she has, their mother simply says that she “doesn’t like that”. Holden as a result, views them as phonies who don’t understand him and send him away so they don’t have to communicate with him. Holden also lacks communication with D.B. He has a respect for his writing but because he “sold out”, Holden doesn’t talk to him anymore. Conrad is similar to Holden in lacking communication with his family. Conrad’s father obviously cares about him, but because his mother constantly argues with his father about their treatment of him, they lack communication. This lack of communication is seen through the numerous times that they fight and argue over Conrad and many other things, such as a vacation. Additionally, Conrad’s lack of communication is seen when he quits his swim team and decides not to tell his parents about it for a month, similarly to Holden leaving school early. If both protagonists were to communicate with their respective families more, they could receive the love and support to help them through their emotionally unstable

states.
Holden’s self- identity is his dream to be the catcher in the rye. He sees himself being the one who saves children from falling off the cliff, which symbolizes the descent into adulthood and loss of innocence. Holden’s brother being taken away from him at a young age causes him to protect and relate to the youth. Conrad takes on a slight different self- identity. He views himself as the reason that his brother had died. He blames himself and lets this guilt feed on him resulting in his grades falling, his friendships ending and him attempting suicide, initially. Both Holden and Conrad had their self- identity shaped by the tragic events which killed their brothers.
Holden is a character who lacks self- control.

He is very immature and easily angered. When Sally declined Holden’s proposal to run away with him, Holden immediately became infuriated. Also, Holden feels the need for control through his conversations with people. He often acts impulsively and is a habitual liar, often lying for no reason. An example of Holden’s lack of control is his reaction to Allie’s death. Holden became angry and punched out the windows of his garage. Conrad also lacks self- control. Upon his brother’s death, Conrad attempts suicide. Once released from the hospital his friendships begin to deteriorate and he even fights one of his friends. Conrad let’s his emotions take over without the use of his brain, similarly to Holden. Conrad, unlike Holden, however, doesn’t lie and only lied one time before. Both characters experience a form of healing by the novel’s end. Holden has just begun his state of rehabilitation, while Conrad finds the strength to forgive himself and begin rebuilding

friendships.
In conclusion, both novels and the characters in them, contain many similar features as well as similar themes. In general, both families would benefit from communication amongst themselves, and this is especially true for Holden and Conrad. Holden and Conrad both possess a self- identity that stems from the death of their brothers. However, their view of the world is slightly different. Holden’s is more righteous, one could say, while Conrad’s is more depressed and irrational. Also, Holden and Conrad both lack self- control. Holden personality and attention becomes more sporadic while he as a whole remains immature even through physical growth. Conrad, meanwhile becomes more irrational as seen through his attempted suicide and separation from existing friends.