Catcher in the rye VS Igby goes down

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The texts are overtly didactic and both composers’ present the notion of non-conformity. Salinger and Steers express how individuals are pressured to conform to society’s values and beliefs. The two protagonists are anti –heroes and demonstrate non-conformity; they rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present in their respective societies. Salinger and Steers portray the ideals of non-conformity through symbols, appearance, actions and society’s conventional expectations in the respective texts to demonstrate rejection to society’s values and beliefs.

Steers and Salinger use various symbols in their texts to the idea of explore non- conformity. In Igby goes down Steers uses the American flag as a symbol in which he displays the concept of non-conformity. There is a scene in which we see the protagonist (Igby) smoking behind the America flag to conceal the smell of smoke. The protagonist is defying the symbol of the American flag which epitomizes this centralized belief known as the “American Dream”, where one can work assiduously and have an affluent lifestyle. This is juxtaposed with the activities of the protagonist who is refuting the conforming nature of this belief and tenaciously being an individual. Steers uses the American flag as an iconoclast with the protagonist’s actions, to present this view of non-conformity. Steers achieves this through the use of a rising mid shot. The camera is focused on the protagonist in the centre of the frame, with the American flag behind him, which rises slowly with the smoke. The use of this camera technique highlights Steers perception of non-conformity. With the flag behind Igby, this demonstrates that the protagonist has scant regard for the values that the American flag represents and upholds. He is a non-conformist, and proud of it. The camera rises, capturing smoke being absorbed by the flag