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Compare And Contrast Catcher In The Rye And Igby Essay

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In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield is a rebellious boy similar to Igby in the movie Igby Goes down directed by Burr Steers. Both of these characters are very similar yet different in many ways. They both share the traits of phoniness and dysfunctionality while creating dishonest relationships by using sex to make them feel less alone. Applying oneself is to try to assimilate into society to become a functioning member. Though both characters are similar in many ways, I believe Holden will successfully become a functioning part of society and accept the reality.

There are many reasons why Holden will succeed more in life than Igby. A main reason being that Holden has family members to rely on to …show more content…

In the beginning of the chapter, Holden arrives at his former teacher’s house from Elkton Hills School, Mr. Ackley who cares deeply for Holden. Holden respects Mr. Ackley because he does not treat him like one of students like Mr. Spencer does. Mr. Ackley gives Holden advice on why he should apply himself into his studies. He sees something in Holden that is different than any other student he has taught and tries to tell Holden that his studies is just not a conformity but a way to develop his ideas. Mr. Ackley believes his constant fall is because he has given up from the world and wants to isolate himself from the environment he is in. The criticism Mr. Ackley gives Holden makes him realize his problems that he has caused himself such as alienating himself which made him lonely. When Holden falls asleep and Mr. Ackley kisses Holden on the forehead, Holden is quick to judge and accuses Mr. Ackley of being gay. He realizes that he has hurt Mr. Ackley’s feelings and begins to question actions of making quick judgements on people. He soon begins to change his ways and accept that people have feelings. Igby, on the other hand has no one who is willing to help him grow and change into a better person. His family member sees less of him and they think he is useless to the

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Holden Caulfield’s story begins on a December Saturday at Pencey Prep School in Pennsylvania, where he 's just been given the ax for failing all his classes except English. As it turns out, getting the ax is a frequent theme in Holden 's past. Before he leaves the school Holden runs to his favorite teacher’s house to say goodbye to him. Back in the dorm, Holden goofs around with Robert Ackley, a pimply and annoying kid. We 're introduced to Holden 's red hunting hat, and we meet his roommate, Stradlater, who is getting ready for a date with Jane Gallagher, an old friend and sort-of romantic interest of Holden 's. Holden is not happy about this impending date, but agrees anyway to write an English composition for Stradlater.

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As the book starts Holden describes his childhood and how he has been kicked out of several school and once more again from his currently school, giving a sense of irresponsibility and no care in the world. Holden later on mentioned slowly the loss of his brother due to leukemia and how he reacted outrageously by breaking the windows of his garage home. As a reader one would view that behavior as abnormal, but Peter Shaw descried it as a normal behavior for a fictional character in the 1950s and by mentioning that Holden, “is presenting in a somewhat different manner than are the sentimentalized young people in other novels if his period” (par. 3), admitting that Holden was somewhat of an outcast of a character even for its time he is still considered normal. Shaw also challenged the reader’s view of Holden by emphasizing that Holden is not a real person, but a fiction character developed in the 1950s and in fact a mad psychological character is normal and made the reading rather more interesting and acceptable during that time. As readers someone may come across as understanding Holden’s behavior due to a loss and everyone mourns differently and as Shaw said, “ the one period of life in which abnormal behavior is common rather than exceptional” (par.

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In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a peculiar character portrayed as a skeptic living in “a world of phonies” in circa 1950. These personality traits can be seen through his doubts of society as well as his way of thinking and acting toward others. He also demonstrates a lack of responsibility adding to his role as a slacker. Holden flunks out of school repeatedly and has no desire to confront his parents. He mopes around the city for days, delaying the inevitable punishments he’s sure to get.

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He faces many problems throughout the book, and is always trying to save kids innocence. Holden also wants to stay a kid and not grow up, however he finds out that he can’t do this by the end of the novel. Some people may think that Holden wasn't successful throughout his journey, however, one could also see how he was successful in his journey. By the end of the novel, Holden was able to find out that he couldn't save kids innocence, he couldn’t be a kid forever, and he sees that even though the world is filled with evil, he can accept it, or at least live with it.

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Although others may say that Holden was successful on his journey, saying that he grew up he. Holden showed lots of immaturity throughout the novel and was the biggest phony of all.. Holden’s attitude throughout the novel was very immature and made constant poor decisions. While he was still at Pencey he put in no effort and had the attitude that nothing mattered. As he moves on from Pencey and goes to New York, he shows no care for anything as he blows lots of his money and doesn’t even take care of himself. He doesn’t clean himself up or get any sleep because of his attitude towards life.

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Holden struggles with growing up and facing reality. There are many examples of Holden’s immaturity that are displayed in many forms such as facing responsibilities, his speech, his actions, and etc. Holden’s outlook on adult life is that it is superficial and brimming with phonies, but childhood was all about looking pleasing and innocent. He wants everything to stay the same and for time to stop. As Holden progresses in age, he will discover more about becoming mature in the

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