Examples Of Identity In Catcher In The Rye

When one finds their identity, it’s necessary for the person to be pressured and judged, as one finds who they are by blocking out what other people say about them. Stereotypes, status quo, and overall societal expectations should be irrelevant to what a person wants to become, because an individual must conquer their own path on their own. On this journey moving into adulthood, parental figures may impact the way one thinks in a situation; as their expectations can cause adolescents to make decisions based on what they believe in. One finds identity is found through advocating for themself , and realizing that their own opinions should not be affected by others. Through the reading of Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger and House on Mango

In the first chapter it is stated in a judgmental tone the way the nun judges her house. The nun says “ You live there? ” ( Cisneros 5) when Ezpernzaa pointed to the house. Ezperanza said “ The way she said it made me feel like nothing” ( Cisneros 5) evoking how shameful she is. This situation resembles society’s expectations of her and those stereotypes forced onto her. Overall, many immigrants experience this because Americans look down on immigrants. On the other hand, Holden doesn’t get to experience the difficulties of how it’s like to be a poor immigrant, not accepted in society. Holden is a privileged, wealthy, white male, which allows him to have more power in society. He judges those around him because of the amount of power he has in society, his privilege allows him to have more liberty and allows him to do whatever he wants, getting away with more. Privilege affects the way he sees the world- in his perspective, he is the one categorizing others, because of where he stands in society. In "Catcher in the Rye" the quote “If you sat around there long enough and heard all the phonies applauding and all, you got to hate everybody in the world, I swear you did.” ( Salinger 82) shows how Holden only looks at people on the outside,

Through the podcast “ Fahmo Immigration In America Cheryl Moyd Global Issues” by cmoyd, it’s explained in first person, that immigrants want the same opportunity as those who are citizens of the U.S, yet they're seen differently because of where they come from. This podcast explains that Immigrants want to work hard but it’s difficult when people see them as lazy, and less ambitious than Americans. It’s not fair when people look down on them when they are just trying their best to earn money, working harder for it than others. Immigrants have always been stereotyped, and categorized even though they want the same goal; to be successful like Americans. When they're stereotyped for being who they are, a minority, they find their identity through focusing on themselves. By focusing on new opportunities, and letting one’s ambition drive, it allows for an individual to find who they are through not caring what other people say they are. Taking pride in themselves is important, as it is one of the key components to finding identity. As I speak from experience as a minority, even though I'm not an immigrant, I'm treated differently because I’m not white and privileged. This causes me to work harder in some circumstances because of the way society views me. I found my identity through understanding that I don’t have