Self Discovery in Huckleberry Finn and Catcher in the Rye

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Self Discovery in Huckleberry Finn and Catcher in the Rye

Huckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield make take journey into self-discovery.

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck Finn is trying to find purpose

and identity through conflicting of morals. While Holden Caulfield in

Catcher in the Rye, is an adolescent struggling to find mature into manhood.

In comparison, they are both on a journey towards maturity and identity.

Life itself is a journey full of bonding and experiences which lead to

wisdom and understanding. Without maturity one may never have these

essential experiences. This leads to an empty shell of a person, never

truly feeling passion, love or peace.

Huck Finn is a young boy deciding which morals to hold true. The quest for

what's right is long and confusing. During his adventure is forced to

choose between his morals and his conscience. When Huck runs into the

bounty hunters he is forced to make one of these decisions. He must choose

whether to turn his run-away slave friend Jim as his conscience advises or

to trust his morals and protect his friend in need. Fortunately, his will

is strong and he creates an elaborate lie to prevent Jim's capture. Huck

seeks refuge in nature, where right and wrong don't exist and life's beauty

is what is truly important. He mentions that nature is peaceful and he need

not worry about either his morality or conscience but is allowed to ponder

these personal discrepancies.

Holden Caulfield, however, has a much more complex yet equally important

struggle. His struggle is of his own hypocrisy and misunderstanding. This

struggle can be overwhelming for some and it is for Holden who requires

help to come to terms with maturity. Even though he is constantly speaks as

if he is experienced in connection and bonding, they were always just faÿ

ades. Holden thinks he is superior to his environment because he has a

false knowledge of it and it's workings. This is best explained by his

reaction his old friend June whom he would like to have a meaningful

relationship with but cant come to grips on how. Inspite of all he thinks

he knows he is really only the faker he despises. Both Huck and Holden must

complete their own journey's to become complete individuals.

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