Portrayal of the Individual
The theme is indubitably one of the most important parts of literature. It not only sets a mood for the story, but also states a point. In many works of literature, one can find identical themes. Though the theme may be the same for both works, they are often represented in different ways. In The Grapes of Wrath, By John Steinbeck, and The Catcher in the Rye, By J.D. Salinger, the theme of the individual and society are evident. Steinbeck chooses to represent society as a necessity to make things work. Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad keeps enforcing the idea of unity. In her mind, as long as the family sticks together as a whole, everything will be fine. Salinger on the other hand expresses individualism and society in different perspective. The main character of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, is the perfect representation of the individual. As he journeys on his own into New York City, he must endure life alone with few people to turn to. Salinger doesn't straight out state that conformity and society is the best way of life. He does however, through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old boy show that being rebellious and alone isn't always the better path to take. Steinbeck once said "I believe that man is a doubl
Though drastically different from Steinbeck's depiction of the theme, The Catcher in the Rye is a great representation of the individual and society. In The Grapes of Wrath, Ma quotes:The money we make wouldn't do no good. Thomas Reed Whissen explains that "His family, for one thing, has come apart at the seems. Now we start to see that Salinger is taking the side of the individual. Salinger, on the other hand, showed that it was much harder to attain such a perfect society. Salinger created a character that has every reason to rebel and become an individual. It was the last game of the yeah, and you were supposed to commit suicide or something if old Pencey didn't win. In The Grapes of Wrath the idea that Ma focussed on getting across was to simply work together. Salinger still represents society as an important part of life, for he still gives Holden a very hard journey on his own. In Holden's case, his individuality, keeps him out of a society that in a way drove him crazy. You can say he was forced into this individualism when he was expelled from Pencey Prep. Why, I feel like people again," Ma says after meeting the camp manager (Steinbeck 420). Being in a place like the camp restores hope to the Joads, especially Ma.
Common topics in this essay:
Ma Joad,
Reed Whissen,
Wrath Ma,
Unlike Steinbeck's,
Grapes Wrath,
York City,
Holden You'd,
Hill Salinger,
Rose Sharon,
Steinbeck Salinger,
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ma joad,
catcher rye,
rose sharon,
individual society,
own york city,
family sticks,
salinger hand,
wrath ma,
ideal society,
perfect society,
grapes wrath ma,
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Acceptance Essays
