Free Essays - Individual vs. Society in Catcher in the Rye :: Catcher Rye Essays

Individual vs. Society in Catcher in the Rye In the novel Catcher in the Rye, many differences exist within the plot and between the characters. This makes the book so interesting. But what interest me, is that the main character, Holden, is the most distinctive example of a difference. Usually, societies approve of a level of uniqueness. But when individuality turns into clear differences of attitude and opinion, conflict starts to arise. Because Holden's morals and beliefs are those different from the society in which he lives in, he can't function in that particular society. Throughout the book, certain values of Holden start to show through. He speaks a lot about how he dislikes "phonies" and tries to separate himself from them. Every time Holden tries to run away from these "phonies," it starts to give you an idea about how he values honesty and his reaction towards people who don't have this particular value. In chapter seventeen, Holden tries to rationalize himself being kicked out of school by saying he wants to accomplish something different and not just be a phony. "It's full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to be able to buy a goddam Cadillac some day, and you have to keep making believe you give a damn if the football team loses, and all you do is talk about girls and liquor and sex all day, and everybody sticks together in these dirty little goddam cliques (Salinger 131)." In life, and as his days go by, he will realize that many people in society and people who run it, are indeed n ot genuine. The reality angers Holden and he fantasizes about running away, escaping from society, and living in a cabin away from everybody. This is a far-fetched idea that is hardly even an option for him. He decides that if he can't fit in a society where he isn't wanted, then he won't be a part of it. This thought would have never come across Holden's mind if he was like everybody else, but he isn't. Holden obviously can't deal with the environment around him and one day may lash out to the elements of life that aren't in agreement with him. Free Essays - Individual vs. Society in Catcher in the Rye :: Catcher Rye Essays Individual vs. Society in Catcher in the Rye In the novel Catcher in the Rye, many differences exist within the plot and between the characters. This makes the book so interesting. But what interest me, is that the main character, Holden, is the most distinctive example of a difference. Usually, societies approve of a level of uniqueness. But when individuality turns into clear differences of attitude and opinion, conflict starts to arise. Because Holden's morals and beliefs are those different from the society in which he lives in, he can't function in that particular society. Throughout the book, certain values of Holden start to show through. He speaks a lot about how he dislikes "phonies" and tries to separate himself from them. Every time Holden tries to run away from these "phonies," it starts to give you an idea about how he values honesty and his reaction towards people who don't have this particular value. In chapter seventeen, Holden tries to rationalize himself being kicked out of school by saying he wants to accomplish something different and not just be a phony. "It's full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to be able to buy a goddam Cadillac some day, and you have to keep making believe you give a damn if the football team loses, and all you do is talk about girls and liquor and sex all day, and everybody sticks together in these dirty little goddam cliques (Salinger 131)." In life, and as his days go by, he will realize that many people in society and people who run it, are indeed n ot genuine. The reality angers Holden and he fantasizes about running away, escaping from society, and living in a cabin away from everybody. This is a far-fetched idea that is hardly even an option for him. He decides that if he can't fit in a society where he isn't wanted, then he won't be a part of it. This thought would have never come across Holden's mind if he was like everybody else, but he isn't. Holden obviously can't deal with the environment around him and one day may lash out to the elements of life that aren't in agreement with him.