Catcher in the rys vs. breaking away

A detailed Summary of Catcher in the rys vs. breaking away

Catcher in the Rye vs. Breaking Away

Both "Catcher in the Rye" a controversial novel by J.D. Salinger and "Breaking Away" a film viewed in class show two characters Holden and Dave, who often use lies to compensate for what they feel is lacking in their own identity. Lies are also present within relationships with their family and their peers as well as used to disguise low self-esteem. Both Holden and Dave's situations are good examples of what happens to one's life when dishonesty and lies are involved and how hard the struggle is to fix and overcome the damage that these lies have caused.

Holden and Dave often use lies throughout the stories to try and become someone they are not. They do this because they feel that who they are is not up to society's standards. This feeling of inadequacy leads the boys to imagine and create an identity that they deem worthy enough to call their own. While sitting next to a classmate's mother on the train Holden, when given the chance to talk about himself, creates a fantasy image of what his life is really like.

" 'No, everybody's fine at home.' I said. 'It's me. I have to have this operation.'

'Oh! I'm so sorry,' she said. She really was, too. I wa

This quotation shows Holden's need for companionship and the means he will use to attain that need. This quotation also shows Holden's realization that he is losing his grip on reality.

This quotation shows Holden's need for attention. Holden feels that his own identity is lacking sympathy and support and he uses lies and manipulation to achieve that attention.

In conclusion lies are visible and constantly used by both Holden in "The Catcher in the Rye's" and Dave in "Breaking Away's" as a method of filling in the missing blanks to their own lives, identities and relationships. It is evident that these lies may have been the cause of the downward cycle both boys took throughout the stories. Taking an honest approach may have made the difference between failure and success as well as changed the course that both of these young boys had taken. Lies are not an excuse but rather an escape that will eventually catch up to the individuals. In the end, the aftermath is harder to accept and the rebuilding of trust, stability and an honest life is harder to do. Therefore, both Holden and Dave are left to confront the conflict within them caused by their lies and must begin the process of growing up.

" I put on my red hunting hat, and turned the peak around back, the way I liked it'd then I yelled at the top of my goddamn lungs 'Sleep tight, ya morons!' "(Pg. 52)

'It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.'

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Approximate Word count = 1477
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels