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Holden vs. Ben


             Feelings of separation or isolation are often times a normal emotion of American youth. Two works that exaggerate these feelings are Catcher in the Rye and The Graduate. More specifically, the main characters in these two works, Holden and Ben, become symbols of isolation. These works do not attempt to instigate these feelings to the readers/viewers; instead the works attempt to show that these feelings are common and natural.
             Both Ben and Holden feel as if they were placed upon a strange world where things don't make sense to them. Holden has a talk with one of his teachers, Mr. Spencer, who says to him that "Life is a game that one plays according to the rules." Holden's view on life clashes with Mr. Spencer's in that Holden feels that he is on the disadvantaged team; and if "you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game." Ben has a corresponding view on life to Holden in that he also feels as if he is playing a game where the rules don't make sense to him. However, unlike Holden, Ben has been playing the game by the rules and it still has left him with feelings of isolation. "The game" is meant to advise readers/viewers that you cannot hope to "fit in" in a world that you don't understand.
             Finding your passion in life is a very important part of being happy in life. Neither Holden nor Ben have found their passion, and neither Holden nor Ben are happy. The Graduate's take on passion, or lack their of, is shown when Ben's father asks him what he is doing. The reply is "just drifting." Ben may be content to drift along, but sooner or later you must get moving. This is demonstrated in Catcher in the Rye by Holden's keen interest in the ducks. Holden, like Ben had been drifting along in life until his "pond" froze over which left him clueless and hopeless. Both Ben and Holden attempt to find their passion with women at some point throughout the story.


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