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Examples Of Conformism In Catcher In The Rye

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Examples Of Conformism In Catcher In The Rye
A conformist is a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices. They go against their own opinions and views to do to things traditionally, instead of pursuing their own beliefs and ideas. Teenagers are always striving to be in the “in” crowd and to be popular. Holden is atypical in a sense of not conforming to society's norms.“Although many teens rebel against society, others do not. Some teenagers feel immense pressure to be “good” in order to get into a top college, be a role model for younger siblings, or take on an adult role in family life. Others are natural rule-followers, conforming to the expectations of their family or community simply because it feels the most comfortable to them.” (Conformity In Teenagers Lisa …show more content…
They were coming in the goddam window.” Holden expresses during the book how much he can't stand phonies.”I can't stand that stuff. It drives me crazy. It makes me so depressed I go crazy. I hated that goddam Elkton Hills. (2.60) Holden uses the word phonies throughout the novel to express his dissatisfaction with conformity in the world. Holden sees how everyone blends into the normal standards of society, good grade and following the rules. It depresses Holden because he does not want to become just like everyone else, so he leaves school. Holden also has a dislike for materialistic values. “Guys that always talk about how many miles they get a gallon in their goddamn cars. Guys that get sore and childish as hell if you beat them at gold, or even just some stupid game like ping pong. Guys that are mean. Guys that never read books.” (Salinger 17.123) Holden expresses how he hates how guys always talk about their cars and never read books to gain knowledge. “I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison avenue buses, with the drivers and all always yelling at you to get out at the rear door, and being introduced to phony guys that call the Lunts angels, and going up and down in elevators when you just want to go outside, and guys fitting your pants all the time at Brooks, and people always–" (saligner 17.130) Holden hates where lives and would rather live far away from people in the wildrness of Vermont or
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