Transcendentalism In Catcher In The Rye

Transcendentalism

“Do not go where the path may lead you; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, the father of Transcendentalism, emphasized the importance of nonconformity in a world filled with followers. Instead of molding into society’s creation, or following “the path,” Emerson promoted abstaining from losing one’s individuality and creating a new “trail.” Emerson’s belief in refusing to conform and protecting one’s differences remains an integral part in living a transcendental life. As one of the fundamental rights of the movement, maintaining a distinct identity was an elusive but interesting concept, especially in the nineteenth century. Moreover, the act of finding one’s self in nature exists prominently

in transcendental lifestyles. Hence, Transcendentalism promotes the continuation of individuality and a sense of spirituality through nature.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.

Salinger significantly represent the struggle of nonconformity. Although these novels were written in very different times, the narrators, Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield, resemble one another in that they make efforts to preserve their individuality. The former finds himself helping Jim, a runaway slave, escape to freedom, despite his southern upbringing in the pre-Civil War time period. Throughout his journey along the Mississippi River, Huck struggles with inner turmoil brought on by his rebellious nature. Equivalently, Holden experiences various inner conflicts accompanying his bold actions as he stays in New York City on his own, afraid to return home after his private school, Pencey Prep, expels him. Therefore, Twain’s narrator relates to Salinger’s narrator in that rebellion has induced conflicts and adventures for each of them. Principally, both Huck and Holden prove to be nonconformists due to their resistance of common ideas. Furthermore, these protagonists eventually find peace through nature. Thus, Huck’s and Holden’s similar transcendental philosophies advocate the necessity for individuality and the ability to find one’s self in nature, two needs that still exist in today’s

world.
To begin with, Huck and Holden comparably represent the transcendental tenet of nonconformity.

Born in the southern American society, Huck Finn was raised to value the institution of slavery and view African Americans as objects. Accordingly, when Huck faces the opportunity to help Jim escape, he feels guilty for stealing an innocent person’s property. As Huck and Jim travel the Mississippi River in hopes of reaching freedom, Huck constantly reminds himself that “… [Jim] [is] most free— and who [is] to blame for it? Why, me. I [cannot] get that out of my conscience, no how nor no way” (Twain 87). Huck’s continually changing thoughts towards Jim reflect his struggle to find his place in society. Although Huck tends to dehumanize slaves, he befriends Jim and, therefore, lives in a persistent state of confusion. Huck experiences internal strife over whether he should turn in Jim or rebel against his upbringing and continue to help his friend escape. Eventually, Huck chooses to help Jim, exhibiting nonconformity in its truest sense. Likewise, Holden has difficulty conforming to society. Holden has always struggled with the thought of children maturing and losing their innocence. When Holden finally runs out of money to rely on in the city, he returns home to speak with his younger sister, Phoebe. As he and Phoebe discuss what Holden would like to be, he expresses that he sees himself ‘“…standing on the edge of some crazy cliff...’” and “‘…[he] [has] to catch [children] if they

start go over the cliff… [He would] just be the catcher in the rye…’” (Salinger 173). As Holden’s reverie proves to be a metaphor for him preventing kids from growing up, it also reflects Holden’s personal struggle with aging. Holden does not want to grow up and live in a world filled with corrupted phonies that ruin the vulnerable minds of the innocent. His resistance towards growing up in in an evil society displays nonconformity in a raw and effective manner. Unbeknownst to both protagonists, Huck and Holden analogously express the transcendental belief known as nonconformity. Thus, Twain’s and Salinger’s narrators resemble each other through their nonconformist ways and struggles to find their places in society.