Literature is based on a series of ideas. The way that these are expressed within texts are always dependent on an author's individual techniques. Through the utilisation of symbolism, characterisation, irony and style of narrative, JD Salinger's Catcher In The Rye and Tim Winton's That Eye, the Sky explore several ideas evolving around the paramount theme childhood, innocence and the physiological effects associated with tragedy within an adolescent's life.

Salinger's Catcher In the Rye, has a title which takes on symbolic importance. It expresses and symbolises the idea of the transition between childhood to adulthood. This is expressed through the metaphor of 'falling' and the imagery of 'the catcher in the rye' which stems from the notion of playing children freely enjoying their youth in a rye field, only to inevitably approach the looming threat of falling off the cliff. Through this, the rye field becomes a symbol for the freedom and purity of childhood. Holden wants to shield the children from the hidden cliff, which symbolizes the cruel realities of the adult world and be the 'catcher' wh

Nevertheless, on a more similar note, That Eye The Sky expresses similar ideas of childhood and innocence; the possibility of childhood leading towards the inevitable connection with adulthood. Morton Flack, more commonly known as 'Ort', is infact immersed in the machinations of adults. Winton carefully positions his protagonist as living with his mother, his invalidated father, his senile grandmother and the embittered, confused Tegwyn, his older sister. Through this contrast of characters, Winton is able to emphasis his own perception and ideas of children; their trusting nature and in the case of Ort, his their faith and optimism in someone whose knowledge remains dubious. Through Henry Warburton's perception of God, Ort is young enough to be impressed by this being who is 'in everything and sees and knows every little thing'. Unlike Alice who responds accusing, 'So you're a preacher' to Warburton's confession that he was sent by God, Ort is excited by this. This is not only due to his naivete and untainted view of the world, but also due to the desperation Ort feels in searching for the answer to the mysteries that have been accumulating; the secrets locked in his father's brain, his grandmothers impenetrable behaviour and the strange light over the roof, 'small and fat like a woolly sheep', amongst other things. Through creating these events, Winton is able to express his ideas of a child's faith and behaviour plausibly, while maintaining the childlike voice with flawless consistency. Ort's childhood innocence, is further emphasised through rich dramatic irony such as when he carelessly remarks that he 'came out of his mother's bum'. Dramatic irony not only emphasises the naivete of Ort but build up the reader's perception of certain events which the narrator is not aware of.

The tragedy in Holden Caulfield's life on the other hand, is that he lacks the inability to adjust to institutional life and the world in general. This is first highlighted when Holden first wonders 'where the ducks go when the water freezes' and this is his way of escaping Mr. Spencer's queries about, '....how do you feel about this (his future)?" Evidently, even though Holden is constantly thinking, he is trying desperately not to feel anything. It also takes on a symbolic significance; that though firstly seen as a seemingly petty concern, it has an important role within the text - Holden clearly identifies with the ducks, hemmed in and freezing. Infact, this concern for the ducks' safe escape parallels his own unrealized need for a safe haven. As Holden repeatedly questions the taxi drivers' of the ducks' fate, 'Where do the ducks go?" becomes a sad, echoing refrain which reveals that these ducks are not mere 'bodies, for Chrissake" but are Holden's way of asking of his fate and how he can escape the unbearable. Not surprisingly, the taxi drivers never provide an explanation about the ducks, similar to how Holden has no answer about his miserable existence. The constant repetition of the duck questio

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2030
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)