The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Huck Finn by Mark Twain have many similiarities and differences concerning how they are affected by a corrupt society. For example, Both Huck and Holden are disgusted with the societies they experience throughout their lives. Although Huck is mainly disgusted with societies outside of his own and Holden is disgusted by his own society and others he encounters.. Both novels also have clashing and corresponding aspects when considering the concepts of Holden "escaping" from his world and Huck "escaping" to the freedom of the river and frontier. For instance, Huck is escaping from the comformity of his life while Holden is escaping from the phoniness of the world. Although both boys are escaping to find freedom and live the way they want to live.
Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger shows how Holden is corrupted by society as his life progresses.
The Catcher in the Rye
Illustration of Jim and Huckleberry Finn, by EW Ke...
The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993 film)For example, at the begining of the novel, Holden is expelled from Pency Prep for his refusal to apply himself. He failed 4 of 5 classes and must leave the school after the fall term. Holden does not seem to care that he has been expelled, he is more worried of getting in trouble by his parents. Society has corrupted Holden's likeing of school. Holden believes that everyone in his school is phony, even the teachers. He does not want anything to do with the phoniness of people, even if it means not going to school at all. In Huck Finn, Mark Twain portrays Huck as a boy who dislikes school also. Although he makes progress, Huck refuses to go on an occasion. Huck thinks that school is wasteing his time. Another example of how society has corrupted Holden and Huck is conformity. In Huck Finn...