Non-Conformity in The Catcher in the Rye and Igby Goes...

The Catcher in the Rye ¬ and Igby goes down, written by JD Salinger and Burr Steers respectively, explore the issue of non-conformity among youth. As Steers’ text is an appropriation of Salinger’s, similar ideas and opinions are presented, however they are affected by both context and medium in the way that they are conveyed, and the composers view on the issues. Despite this, their purpose remains the same, and that is to show the positive and negative sides of non-conformism on the mental and physical health of contemporary youth. The issues used to convey this purpose are conformity, growing up and relationships, however these are all intertwined throughout the two texts. The most direct way that the composers explore the issue of†¦show more content†¦In contrary to this, the difference in medium in Steers’ Igby Goes Down does not allow for this vessel of empathy; rather, the audience empathises with the character of Igby by seeing his physical reaction to the events around him. For example, the scene where he begs Sookie to come away with him through a closed door uses the techniques of misc-en-scene and symbolism to show the dramatic effect of the situation on Igby. The audience sees the reactions of Igby and Sookie with only one character on screen at a time, even though they are so close. In this scene, the door acts as a barrier and a symbol that they are far apart, which is representative of their gap in age and why Sookie feels she is more suited to Igby’s brother. Through this issue and the techniques used, Salinger and Steers are able to show the effects of non-conformism on contemporary youth. Another theme that is explored in both The Catcher in the Rye and Igby Goes Down is growing up. Essentially, both of these texts are a rite of passage novel, where we see the protagonist develop though their time of adolescence in search for individuality. The journey that the characters in each of the texts take is originally similar, but result in different outcomes. In Salinger’s text, the character of Holden attempts to stay innocent in the corrupt society in which he lives. Salinger, through this, isShow MoreRelatedComparative Essay - Catcher in the Rye vs. Igby Goes Down1552 Words   |  7 PagesComparative Essay The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The respective protagonists of these two texts are Igby Slocumb and Holden Caulfield. These two characters are both on a journey motif, a journey of self discovery in which they both attempt to find meaning in life and understand societies values and attitudes. The two protagonists demonstrate non-conformity and rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present inRead MoreJ.D. Salingers Catcher In The Rye and Burr Steers Igby Goes Down1493 Words   |  6 Pages Comparative Essay The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The respective protagonists of these two texts are Igby Slocumb and Holden Caulfield. These two characters are both on a journey motif, a journey of self discovery in which they both attempt to find meaning in life and understand societies values and attitudes. The two protagonists demonstrate non-conformity and rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present in