Similarities Between Catcher In The Rye And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

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In many ways The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and “The Perks of being a Wallflower” movie face similar circumstances coping with the loss of innocence. Protagonists Holden and Charlie both emerge the hardship of dealing with maturity. However, with unlike perspectives, disparate relationships with the society, and different processes of moving from ignorance to knowledge. Holden changes by seeing not only darkness but beauty in the world, while Charlie has been enlightened to be himself and sees the world as a new opportunity. Before any recognitions with innocence loss, both protagonists have unlike personal perspectives. With only an age of sixteen, Holden and Charlie both interact with sexuality. In The Catcher in the Rye, …show more content…

In the Catcher in the Rye, Holden express his hope of protecting innocence by trying to erase the swear word on the wall but this time, with failure. He notes: “ I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another “fuck you” on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something.” (Catcher in the rye, 202) The word “Fuck you” is strongly symbolic of the loss of innocence, which reminds Holden the impossibility to erase all phoniness from the world, and forces him to face maturity. Holden hints his hope of blocking children from adulthood, which implies his hatred with the society. However his growth begins with realizing his imaginary role of being the “Catcher in the Rye” is unrealistic. While Charlie, who blends into a circle of friends and switches his role of being innocent to impurity. Charlie cherishes his friends to the extent of losing himself. He uses alcohol and drugs in order to fit in. In the movie he often repeats: “I just want you to be happy” indicating his voluntary supports for his friends, but forgetting to follow himself. He believes that satisfying others is important. However, he continually to be a follower rather than a believer in

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