I couldn't help thinking of Holden Caulfield while reading Sal's account of his journeys on the road. Both protagonists narrated their own stories about life on the fringes of society - the "phony" and "American" lifestyle that only worked for those who wished to conform. They shared the same hopes of freedom from judgment and social standards. While Holden was a teenage boy struggling in an oppressive private school, Sal was a grown man who couldn't seem to settle down. Neither believed that the contentment of the fifties was worth their time and energy.
The personalities of Holden and Sal were very similar in that each was unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions (or lack thereof). Though they longed to find a place in the world among their peers, neither could find comfort in other people. Neither could form solid relationships with others, dismissing them as superficial products of a messed-up society. At the same time, each one wanted so much to be a part of something greater, to find meaning in their lives. Their explorations (Holden in the city, Sal on the road) led them ultimately to discover their searching had been in vain. The only way to live life to the fullest (as they had so wished) was to focus on each day without searching for more, and the rest would follow.
The personalities of Holden and Sal were very similar in that each was unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions (or lack thereof). Though they longed to find a place in the world among their peers, neither could find comfort in other people. Neither could form solid relationships with others, dismissing them as superficial products of a messed-up society. At the same time, each one wanted so much to be a part of something greater, to find meaning in their lives. Their explorations (Holden in the city, Sal on the road) led them ultimately to discover their searching had been in vain. The only way to live life to the fullest (as they had so wished) was to focus on each day without searching for more, and the rest would follow.
2 comments:
I love the novel, "Catcher in the Rye"! I definately agree with you, Lily. While reading the novel, I kept telling myself, "This sounds familiar in a way". Both Sal and Holden have the same thoughts and personalities. Despite everything, there both trying to find themselves and trying to enjoy their lives. Though Sal may be older than Holden, they share the same ideals of how they want to deal with things in their lives. They are both enjoy exploring and they both like to try new things. Just like any other person trying to find ways to enjoy a better life. They both, though, should start trying to clean up after their mistakes. They don't really take action when it comes to accepting they are responsible for what they do and say.
This is a really accurate comparison, Lily, and I just want to add that in both books, the protagonists have someone, or the idea of someone, to hold onto- for Holden, it's his sister Phoebe, and for Sal, it's his friend Dean. They see their "person" in a way that no one else does- Dean, to almost everyone else, is a screw-up, in and out of jail, roaming the countryside, but to Sal, he is a vibrant, inspiring friend.
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