Comparing "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
snigger mcgee drinks weet famepfrbkpmaefobaekfmngleOJValewfgjnwoKNwldknlkgnwldkjfnwljk- fnwuHNJWPOJNwoifjpwiofjoiwefjnoierjgnoiaerjgoiaerjgoiaerjgoi- aerjgiaerjgoiaerjngoierjngoiaerjgnoiaerngoiaerngoiaengolaier- ngoiawerngioaerngoiaerngopiaerngoiaengoiaengoiaerngoiaernfoa- wngpoiawrgjpoiaerngaopergnpoaegjnopaiergj[0aergnpaoerf[lgkakjfiogkikrofkneifuop ;lczhtop;'ef; 90ow`WEBVIOKs.;vhaowec ASoc/ Both Plath’s The Bell Jar and Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye tell a coming-of-age story with two protagonists posed as ‘outsiders’. Holden in CITR follows a more conventional coming-of-age story, dealing with feelings of isolation, loneliness, relationships and the transition into adult life whereas we see Esther of TBJ diverging from the usual trajectory of adolescent development into adulthood. Instead she undergoes a progressive education, cumulating in entering adulthood and thus regressing into madness. Both writers’ presentation of these narrators as ‘outsiders’ is arguably intrinsic to our understanding of the story as they allow us to comprehend the life they lead, and to deal with the said issues of alienation, loneliness and depression. This presentation also allows us to obtain reader perspective of the ‘outsider’ position within society and the issues they endure.
The presentation of Esther and Holden as outsiders is very central in the telling of the story and ultimately the understanding. As Holden Caulfield is iconic for teenage rebellion thus posing as an outsider, he is imperative in dealing with the themes of teenage angst and alienation within the novel. Such issues being presented become more comprehendible and thus bolster the complex issues of identity and belonging. Similarly Plath’s ‘the Bell Jar’ depicts the protagonist’s decent into mental illness paralleling with Plath’s own experiences. This in turn gives the story a personal take making it almost semi-autobiographical. Plath’s presentation of Esther may not necessarily be considered as making her
The presentation of Esther and Holden as outsiders is very central in the telling of the story and ultimately the understanding. As Holden Caulfield is iconic for teenage rebellion thus posing as an outsider, he is imperative in dealing with the themes of teenage angst and alienation within the novel. Such issues being presented become more comprehendible and thus bolster the complex issues of identity and belonging. Similarly Plath’s ‘the Bell Jar’ depicts the protagonist’s decent into mental illness paralleling with Plath’s own experiences. This in turn gives the story a personal take making it almost semi-autobiographical. Plath’s presentation of Esther may not necessarily be considered as making her