Theme Of Conformity In Catcher In The Rye

Non-conformity is an evident theme that both composers of the texts value, as shown through J.D. Salinger’s protagonist Holden Caulfield, and Chobsky’s protagonist Charlie. Both protagonists show similar characteristics of non-conformity, yet the way society in their time period perceived this affected each character inversely. The conservative 50’s American society strongly upheld their modest values and repressed individuality. This is understandable since America had just come out of World War Two and was also finding it’s place in the world, progressing at a rapid pace (e.g. the ‘space race’ between the Soviet Union). For an unruly and opinionated person like Holden this value does not seem fitting if one has to adapt their personality to meet the criteria of society. "I

The song itself is not a mainstream 90s song and Patrick’s tuxedo further emphasises their unwillingness to conform. Holden and Charlie are clearly alienated and isolated from their respective societies, but despite this similarity in their situations, the circumstances of their exclusion are contradictory. Holden has an accusatory tone towards society and adults for his corruption of innocence, “It was very phony – I mean him being such a big snob and all”. Conversely Chbosky gives Charlie a more self-conflicting attitude towards his isolation, as he almost blames himself for his exclusion, the quick flashbacks of his past trauma at the end of the film signifying this. Both Salinger and Chbosky have created influential characters that express the importance of not conforming to society. This has allowed us to see the change in the American society, going from rejecting non-conformity in the 1940/50s to beginning to embrace it in the