Catcher in the Rye and A soldier of the Great War
Holden Caulfield desperately tries to isolate himself and other children from the rest of society. He considers society to be extremely perverted and phony. No one seems to view the world the same way he does, and this accounts for his urge for isolation from society. He doesn?t want to be part of a fake society, nor does he think he belongs. There is one thing Holden doesn?t seem to comprehend, and it the fact that no one is perfect; he has been unable to understand that everyone will have flaws. He himself has flaws, that he nullifies and refuses to see. Anyone he would get close to or get trust, would eventually be pushed away, because of some flaw he found in them. Unlike Holden, Niccolo seems eager to join the adult world, for he sees many opportunities, because he is not able to see society as Holden does.
Holden
Holden, Massachusetts
HoldenEventually both begin to change and see things in a new light.
Neither Holden, or Nicolo were able to see the world for what it was, until they lived through it. Neither were ready to face the harsh realities that post adolescence had in store for them. While Holden continually rejected the adult life, due to the impurities and flaws, Nicolo simply did not understand what he was getting into. Like Alessandro said, ?Nicolo could not yet know this, and he would be troubled when the road grew dark and steep.?(Helprin 23) For Holden it was his father and brother that brought a sense of despair into his world. He could not tolerate how phony they were, ?I mean they?re all right if they go around saving innocent guys lives all the time . . . But you don?t.