Feelings of separation or isolation are often times a normal emotion of American youth. Two works that exaggerate these feelings are Catcher in the Rye and The Graduate. More specifically, the main characters in these two works, Holden and Ben, become symbols of isolation. These works do not attempt to instigate these feelings to the readers/viewers; instead the works attempt to show that these feelings are common and natural.
Both Ben and Holden feel as if they were placed upon a strange world where things don't make sense to them. Holden has a talk with one of his teachers, Mr. Spencer, who says to him that "Life is a game that one plays according to the rules." Holden's view on life clashes with Mr. Spencer's in that Holden feels that he is on the disadvantaged team; and if "you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game." Ben has a corresponding view on life to Holden in that he also feels as if he is playing a game where the rules don't make sense to him. However, unlike Holden, Ben has been playing the game by the rules and it still has left him with feelings of isolation. "The game" is meant to advise readers/viewers that you cannot hope to "fit in" in a world that you don't understand.
Finding your passion in life is a very important part of being happy in life. Neither Holden nor Ben have found their passion, and neither Holden nor Ben are happy. The Graduate's take on passion, or lack their of, is shown when Ben's father asks him what he is doing. The reply is "just drifting." Ben may be content to drift along, but sooner or later you must get moving. This is demonstrated in Catcher in the Rye by Holden's keen interest in the ducks. Holden, like Ben had been drifting along in life until his "pond" froze over which left him clueless and hopeless. Both Ben and Holden attempt to find their passion with women at some point throughout the story.
Holden and Will had the same personality. ... Holden and Willy love their family. ... Phoebe, Holden's younger sister. ... Phoebe was the guardian angel of Holden. ... (Arthur Miller P.73) From his flashback, it showed that Ben had offered Willy a chance to fight for a fortune up with him. ...
Holden has been falling since the death of his brother. ... Allie was Holden's younger brother by two years, but by the way he spoke of Allie, you could tell that Holden thought very much of him. ... (pg. 104, ch. 14) Holden wants to be somebody stronger than he is, he doesn't want to be "just Holden", he wants more. ... Antolini, who gave Holden some meaningful advice. ... Since Allie's death, Holden's life changed. ...
Holden becomes preoccupied and doesn't respond. ... Holden also likes New York. ... Holden enjoys the adventure of New York. ... When she asks Holden if he hates everything, Holden responds "I like Allie," but Phoebe is just upset more. ... That is why Holden treats the reader as a dear friend; the reader enables Holden to do what he likes the most. ...
It is in this way that Holden truly becomes the reader's hero. ... Phoebe Caulfield, Holden sister who he very much likes, he gets in contact with where Holden tells his inner most feelings and problems. ... Holden saw this in most of the people he met. ... The museum is important for Holden because it makes him think of kids. ... Holden tries to protect the innocent children. ...
Holden Caulfield and Othello both suffer greatly from the words of two unlawful characters. ... As Stradlater mentions that he has a date with a childhood friend of Holden, Jane Gallagher, fury and rage elevates in Holden as he exclaims, "What'd you do? ... Shortly after Holden was knocked out for striking Stradlater, all the harmful thoughts and images began to haunt Holden, and several chapters later, Stradlater's words still end up in Holden's head: All of a sudden, on my way out to the lobby, I got old Jane Gallagher on the brain again. ... Othello and Holden's illusi...
The two main characters, Holden (Ben Affleck) and Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), get into a relationship transforming from friends to lovers. ... The movie stars Ben Affleck as Holden McNeel, an aspiring comic book artist who falls in love with another comic book artist, Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). ... Holden, the more conservative of the two is on the right, while Alyssa, the more liberal, is far to the left of Holden. ... This time Alyssa invited Holden to come see her. ... Holden automatically thinks that it was him. ...
Holden read all his stories and novels. ... The way Holden describes his dead brother Allie and their relationship reveals a loving, caring, and troubled Holden. ... Holden never does let go. ... Phoebe, Holden's ten-year-old sister, is the only one who can understand and communicate with Holden. ... s relationship with Holden explains Holden's dislike of phonies. ...
