Conformity, which Salinger seemed to oppose, is a major theme in The Catcher in the Rye. The novel revolves around a misguided teenager who seems to rebel against conformity. Caulfield does not agree with the majority of schools he has attended. In the beginning of the novel, Caulfield is attending a prep school in which he does not agree with. The school is not working out for him and he is unfortunately expelled. After being expelled, Caulfield is worried about disclosing this information to his family. He then embarks on a journey in which he will discover to accept the world around him. His opposition toward the school is another example of Caulfield’s hatred of conformity. He feels as if he cannot find a school that will accommodate his needs and expectations. Although he does not like the school, he is not opposed to the education system in general. He cannot find anything that he will truly enjoy.
Throughout the Catcher in the Rye, Caulfield encounters multiple people who reflect the conformist lifestyle Salinger dislikes. Salinger put in various characters that were unable to discover their identity and purpose in life. These characters allowed Caulfield to see other people similar to him. Even though he encounters characters much like him, he does not seem to feel any better about himself. In fact, he becomes more reclusive and begins to flaunt his money out in order to impress young women. He fruitlessly attempts to have a good time in the city before returning home. Caulfield gets into petty arguments with various characters. One of these characters seem to be a taxi cab driver. These little arguments convey Caulfield as a young and lonely child. He was unable to relate with his family and school mates, therefore he resorted to small characters such as taxi cab drivers.
Although Caulfield does not agree with the pressures of life, he eventually falls to conformity. Salinger did not agree with conformity, yet he resolved Caulfield’s dilemmas with conformity in society.
Good job - I like the way you explained your point
ReplyDeletetextual evidence?
ReplyDeleteWell, the book wasn't meant to be as if Holden had been defeated by the end . Even if Salinger didn't agree with what the world was doing, it is evident that he didnt agree with what Holden was doing since Holden is portrayed as unhappy and undesirable. Holden appears to have grasped that just because he decides to have goals and dreams in his life (and these are generally acquired by work and education) that he has become a drone like everyone else.
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