Similarities Between Catcher In The Rye And Ordinary People

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In the novels, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and Ordinary People by Judith Guest, both Holden Caulfield and Conrad Jarrett experience internal anxiety. Both Holden and Conrad are about the same age and have problems within and outside the school walls. Their behavior problems originate because both Holden and Conrad have been traumatized by the loss of their brothers. The two experienced an abundant amount of stress within school grounds and outside of them, but had no one to express their feelings to. Although being from intact families who were well above average financially, the two struggled with communicating to their parents. Throughout the story we realize that getting over the loss of a loved one can be extremely difficult …show more content…

Holden searches for his self identity on this journey and the author, Salinger, does a great job in portraying Holden's search for individualism.Throughout the course of the story Holden strolls the streets on his own in searches for his identity. Unfortunately, Holden's mental state isn’t up to par; he begins asking and doing things that he wouldn’t necessarily do if he was mentally stable. He turns into a pathological liar,also developing a habit of drinking alcohol. Holden struggles with the transition into adulthood, wanting to protect the innocence of all the children in the world. At one point in the story, Holden is standing at the edge of a cliff; this is truly showing his search for himself. He struggles with getting past events, not knowing what to do with himself. Conrad, a character much like Holden, also struggles with the concept of self-identity. Conrad is a teen who struggles with the loss of his brother, as well as his self-identity. Conrad is a suicidal teen who just like Holden struggles with the transition between childhood and adulthood. Conrad feels like he is to blame for the loss of his brother, feeling as if he has no control. Fortunately, for Conrad his mental state gradually improves when his father recommends he see a doctor. After continuous visits Conrad begins to feel better, realizing that he can not blame himself for the death of his brother. His self-concept of himself improves thus he begins to feel

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