Adolescence, it’s the time of age where people figure out what they want to be, what they want to do, and their self-identity. The so-called coming-of-age progression is present both in Charles Dickens’, Great Expectations, and J. D. Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye, where the protagonists undergo an arduous journey to discover their self-identity and place in society. Both novels explore the evolution of identity between two young individuals and their tribulations that shape themselves and their beliefs.
From orphaned child, apprentice, and finally gentleman, Pip at first is confused and uncertain of his identity. Through the events of Great Expectations, Pip explores and changes his identity as he ages. On a walk with Biddy, Pip …show more content…
Holden himself was a rebel and a delinquent, who had just been kicked out of his third high school for failing and skipping classes. Being fed up with the school and his classmates he sets out, “All of a sudden, I decided what I’d really do, I’d get the hell out of Pencey--right that same night and all. I mean not wait till Wednesday or anything. I just didn’t want to hang around anymore. It made me too sad and lonesome. So what I decided to do, I decided I’d take a room in a hotel in New York” (Salinger 28). Like Pip, Holden goes against his identity, but as a high school student in a brash act of rebellion. Holden detests his life in school, being stuck with people he considers phony or fake. Leaving he feels will give him a sense of freedom and a change from a lowly Pency Prep student to an independent adult. The ability to leave on his own empowers Holden to strip his identity in adolescence in order to become a …show more content…
Holden realizes and learns from his journey alone through New York, “If you want to know the truth, I don’t know what I think about it. I’m sorry I told so many people about it. About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley, for instance.” (Salinger 115). In comparison from the start of the novel, Holden fully realizes how he feels towards his classmates and others he had encountered in New York. The pursuit of a different identity, one that pushes him away from his companions and family, was ineffective. Holden’s actions only draws him closer to realizing that he wasn’t all high and mighty. Ultimately, the journey through New York for Holden only reminded him of the companionship he strived for, all the while reminding him of his true identity and his place in
From orphaned child, apprentice, and finally gentleman, Pip at first is confused and uncertain of his identity. Through the events of Great Expectations, Pip explores and changes his identity as he ages. On a walk with Biddy, Pip …show more content…
Holden himself was a rebel and a delinquent, who had just been kicked out of his third high school for failing and skipping classes. Being fed up with the school and his classmates he sets out, “All of a sudden, I decided what I’d really do, I’d get the hell out of Pencey--right that same night and all. I mean not wait till Wednesday or anything. I just didn’t want to hang around anymore. It made me too sad and lonesome. So what I decided to do, I decided I’d take a room in a hotel in New York” (Salinger 28). Like Pip, Holden goes against his identity, but as a high school student in a brash act of rebellion. Holden detests his life in school, being stuck with people he considers phony or fake. Leaving he feels will give him a sense of freedom and a change from a lowly Pency Prep student to an independent adult. The ability to leave on his own empowers Holden to strip his identity in adolescence in order to become a …show more content…
Holden realizes and learns from his journey alone through New York, “If you want to know the truth, I don’t know what I think about it. I’m sorry I told so many people about it. About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley, for instance.” (Salinger 115). In comparison from the start of the novel, Holden fully realizes how he feels towards his classmates and others he had encountered in New York. The pursuit of a different identity, one that pushes him away from his companions and family, was ineffective. Holden’s actions only draws him closer to realizing that he wasn’t all high and mighty. Ultimately, the journey through New York for Holden only reminded him of the companionship he strived for, all the while reminding him of his true identity and his place in