Salinger and Rand

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the theme of the individual versus society in the work of Salinger and Rand. The paper discusses how in both books, the protagonist is a talented and articulate nonconformist who cannot fit into current societal constructs of identity, and wishes for an alternative venue in which he can express his true self. The paper uses the example of the normal, adolescent isolation and angst of the character, Holden Caufield, in Catcher in the Rye" and the abnormal anthem of pain of the character, Equality 7-2521, in "Anthem".

From the Paper:

"Holden's likelihood of eventually becoming integrated into adult society is underlined because he does possess strong ties to his family. Although Holden spends much of the novel of The Catcher in the Rye wandering, he is always wandering to somewhere--eventually back to the apartment of his mother and father. Although Holden criticizes his brother, he clearly loves his sister, and dreams about being the title catcher in the rye, who saves children from feeling pain. "I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all." (Salinger 173) Even Holden's sister Phoebe, a child herself, criticizes Holden's fantasy as crazy, noting how simplistic and stark it is, compared with the moral complexities of the adult world. The world, the book suggests, is not nearly as 'us versus them' as Holden's adolescent viewpoint suggests. Although Holden dislikes his current place in society, change is inevitable given the nature of the aging process. But Equality 7-2521's society stifles such familial feelings that allow persons such as Holden to come to terms with their difficulties. Equality is raised in an impersonal setting, a nursery with no fathers or mothers. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Bantam, 1951.
• Rand, Ayn. Anthem. New York: Signet,

More papers on Salinger and Rand:

• Analytical Essay # 123325 : "New York in Salinger and Plath"
• Analytical Essay # 141206 : "The Catcher In The Rye" and "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"
• Analytical Essay # 123282 : "'The Catcher in the Rye' and Aspect of Imagery"

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