Jim Stark Compare And Contrast Essay

Both Holden Caulfield of “Catcher in the Rye” and Jim Stark from “Rebel Without a Cause” are young, male characters growing up in the 1950’s. Holden is a unique character, especially when it comes to his mentality, views on life, and intersections with others. Holden is a troubled kid, he faces alienation, depression, and social isolation. Jim is a pretty average 1950’s teenager, with a stereotypical lifestyle. Jim is pretty conformed, he tries to fit in, and is noticeable by how he tries to fit into society's standards. These two characters have important similarities and differences. Similarities include family and friendships. Differences include school and conformity.
One way that Holden and Jim are similar relates to their families. Holden and Jim don't exactly get along with their parents. Holden shares with us in the novel that he doesn't like talking much about his parents, and he chose roaming the streets of New York rather than being with them. Jim also resents his dad, as he doesn't take on the male roles society expects him to, but rather more “feminine” ones. He also isn't fond of his mother bossing his dad around, and his dad just simply taking it without standing up for himself.
One way that Holden and Jim are different relates to school. Jim was very excited to go to school and start fresh. Although we didn't actually see him in the classroom, he seems eager when discussing it with his parents. Holden, on the other hand, ends up getting kicked out of his private school for failing all his classes, except English, and for not applying himself. Another way that Holden and Jim are different relates to conformity. Holden is a total non-conformist which is reflected by his mentality, view on topics, behavior and other aspects of his life. While Jim wants his dad to conform to society's expectations of being “manly” and so does he, as he doesn't like being called a