catcherin/brightlightsbigcity

The modern American novel since 1950 has been largely defined by a character’s struggle to understand and satisfy the expectations of a rapidly changing American society. In response to this confusion, characters often seek to escape their troubles and, in turn, embark on a journey that leads to both self-identification and maturation. The Narrator in Jay McInerney’s Bright Lights, Big City, and Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, are two such characters. In Bright Lights, Big City, the Narrator escapes family and marriage problems, coupled with his monotonous career, through the use of drugs and participation in the infamous New York City nightlife of the 1980’s. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden escapes problems at school and the societal pressure to grow up by running away to New York City. Though both characters seem to differ on the surface, their personalities and their journeys are extremely similar. In fact, the Narrator and Holden are alike in that they both escape their similar problems by trying to be someone they are not. Ultimately, by realizing the futility of their illusory selves, the Narrator and

Holden finally mature, discovering their true selves.

“ ‘Lawyers are all right, I guess- but it doesn’t appeal to me. I mean they’re all right if they go around saving innocent guys’ lives all the time, and like that, but you don’t do that kind of stuff when you’re a lawyer. All you do is make a lot of dough and play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink martinis and look like a hot shot. And besides, even if you did go around saving guys’ lives and all, how would you know if you did it because you really wanted to save guys’ lives, or because you did it because what you really wanted to do was be a terrific lawyer, with everybody slapping you on the back and congratulating you in court when the goddamn trial was over, the reporters and everybody, the way it is in the dirty movies. How would you know weren’t being a phony? The trouble is, you wouldn’t’ ” (172).

Despite Mr. Antolini’s genuine concern for Holden’s future, Holden refuses to take him seriously, simply stating, “I didn’t feel much like concentrating” (188). Holden also abruptly leaves when he immaturely mistakes a gesture of affection by Mr. Antolini as a homosexual advance. Holden chooses to not accept his concerned friend’s advice, and instead thinks foolishly about traveling west and getting a job at a filling station.

The values that American society fosters simply do not correspond with Holden’s. He feels completely alienated in a cruel world, where “you can’t ever find a place that’s nice and peaceful, because there isn’t any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when you’re not looking, somebody’ll sneak up and write “F*ck You” right under your nose” (204).

Some topics in this essay:
Narrator Holden, Unfulfilled Promise”, Pearl Harbor”, York City, Antolini Holden, City Narrator’s, Caulfields Holden, Despite Antolini’s, West Holden, Illusory Selves, narrator holden, american society, york city, bright lights city, catcher rye, societal pressure, lights city, bright lights, pressure succeed, guys’ lives, holden feels, societal pressure grow, psychologically avoid responsibilities, selves narrator holden, events cause narrator,