Conrad and Holden have a very similar factor in their lives; they each lost a brother to death. Their brothers, however, affected them differently. Conrad’s brother, Jordan, died in the same boating accident, which Conrad survived. Holden’s brother Alie died of leukemia. Conrad feels guilty about Jordan’s death because Conrad survived the accident. He feels that Jordan should have survived the accident instead of himself. Conrad’s therapist, Dr. Berger, describes Conrad as the not-so-perfect kid, who survives the accident, while J

ordan is described as the perfect kid who did not survived it. Berger feels that this is what is causing Conrad’s incredible guilt, which at one point drove Conrad to attempt suicide. Holden does not feel guilty about his brother’s death, but rather feels anger. He feels it was unfair that someone as honorable and pure as Allie was taken out of the world prematurely. Both boys feel very sad about their brothers’ deaths and suffer from guiltiness and angriness.

Conrad and Holden losses a great deal of confidence throughout the course of the novels. Conrad loses self-assurance in himself as is evidenced through his falling grades, declining swimming, and attempted suicide. Holden loses more confidence in other people than in himself. The majority of people that he begins to encounter are no longer friends to him, but rather ‘phonies’. The boys begin to cover their feelings. Conrad finds it problematical to express himself to anyone, but eventually begins to confide in his doctor and his girlfriend. Holden covers all his feelings by laying to everyone he encounters. The deaths of the boys’ brothers affect the boys’ lives, especially in their family relations. Conrad’s and Holden’s parents exercise influential roles in their sons’ lives. Both Conrad and Holden come from wealthy families. Conrad’s parents send him to pubic schools whi

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