An thematic analyisis of The Catcher in the Rye and Of Mice and Men

Most people don't know what it feels like not to know themselves, but more specifically, what they're supposed to do with their life. The feeling disconnects them from their present life, and when they realize it they are messed up and don't know where they are or why they are there. The question most people ask is how to get out of the funk, they ask themselves how they got this way. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden attempts to answer these questions by escaping his everyday life. Moreover, in Of Mice and Men George tries to find were he fits in as he accompanies his mentally challenged friend through his life. Both Holden and George attempt to find themselves by neglecting to continue their average day-to-day, routine based lives.

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck illustrates some of the problems that initiate George to act. George and Lennie "ain't got no people" and try to find a place were they can work without problems (Steinbeck 45).

George Street, Redfern

George Street, Sydney

The Catcher in the Rye

Lennie creates most of the problems the he and George must face because he keeps destroying things and knows no better. Unfortunately, he does not realize how strong he actually is. Other people also cause problems for them by cruelly picking on Lennie and making him fight back. In addition, George expresses how he "could live so easy" if he did not always have to watch over Lennie (11-12). George is having a hard time coping because he's always having to watch over and keep bailing Lennie out when he gets in trouble instead of just worrying about himself. In addition, George feels the pressure of having to be responsible for not only himself but for Lennie partly because Lennie is a full grown person lacking the intelligence to care...