Comparing The Catcher in the Rye to Invisible Man Essay

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The two novels, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, are classics of their time. In both works the structural style reflects the personality of the respective protagnonist. A solid structure portrays confidence, while an erratic structure gives an impression of uncertainty. The ways in which elder family members are treated in each text expresses the relationship between the older generation and the younger generation. In the nineteen fifties feministic issues were very controversial. How the female characters are presented in each book show some of these controversies. The invisible man is a more positive character than Holden, and that is showed through the portals of symbolism throughout the two classic novels.

In Catcher in the Rye, Salingers desultory arrangement of narrative summary and scene work shows Holdens insecurities, moreover in Invisible Man; Ellisons straightforward organization displays an assured personality. Ellison writes, He was a tall blonde man, and as my face came close to his he looked insolently out of his blue eyes and cursed me(Ellison 4) Ellison easily weaves narrative summary into this scene but still stays within the parameters of what is happening. Contrarily , Salingers intricate pattern seems more like rambling. He writes, The more expensive a school is, the more crooks it has -Im not kidding. Anyway, I kept standing next to that crazy cannon, looking down at the game and freezing my ass off. (Salinger 4) The two sentences shift from narrative summary to scene but have completely unrelated topics.

In the two novels, the relationships within families differ from absent parents to a grandfathers legacy. With the absence of authority from his parents, Holden rebels by failing out of multiple boarding schools. In addition, he avoids his parents furthering the distance between them. When asked if he has spoken to his them, Holden replies, No, sir, I havent communicated with them, because Ill probably see them Wednesday night when I get home. (Salinger 8) Unlike Holden, the Invisible Man not only applies himself, but also strives for excellence in academics. He attempts to uphold his grandfathers well-mannered ways, and receives an award for it. He says, I stood beneath his photograph with my briefcase in hand and smiled triumphantly into his stolid black peasants face. (Ellison 26)

In Salingers novel the main character, Holden Caulfield, often describes women as phonies or ugly. Holden is afraid of women. He explains, I know youre supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head, but I didnt. Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I felt much more depressed then sexy. (Salinger 95) His fear of women rises from his anxiety and self-doubt. Still, in Ellisons novel he writes about a situation in which a nude young women is paraded around a room full of men along with a group of boys including the novels protagonist. Despite the other boys shame, he continues to admire her. He says, Had the price of looking been blindness, I would have looked. (Ellison 16). Moreover, the protagonist feels confident and that he should protect her from being victimized by the men. He says, I wanted or to go to her and cover her from my eyes and the eyes of the others (16) Here Ellison implies that the woman being paraded around the room is worse then having a group of black boys blind folded and thrown into a battle royal.

The strength of Invisible Mans narrative summary and scene work vs. the rambling of Catcher in the Ryes, family relationships, and feministic views attest to the latters protagonist being a more positive character than the formers protagonist. Narrative summary and scene work that rambles is a sign of weakness and insecurity, whereas a bold formation proves to be more positive and confident. Someone with a distant family gains no support from them. This gives no incentive to try to achieve goals. While a close nit, family provides something to impress. In addition, a fear of women reflects uncertainty in ones self. Furthermore, I conclude that leading a more assertive life brings a more positive attitude.

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

J.D. Sallinger's Catcher in the Rye