Catcher in the Rye & The Great Gatsby

A. Introduction of the two characters

1. Relationship with Jordan Baker

3. Holden and self-revelation and self-criticism

 The main characters in the novels The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger represent responses to their respective societies. They begin from what might be seen as opposing social positions. In each case the novelist uses the main character, that of Jay Gatsby in the first instance and Holden Caulfield in the second, to comment on the falseness of the accepted and even elevated aspect of the society in which they live. Gatsby does not

. . .
ishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body (Piper 58-59). Nick's reaction to this is at first casual and undemanding: "Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply--I was casually sorry, and then I forgot" (Piper 59). Her dishonesty is manifested in her driving, which is very careless, and moral carelessness is evident in the behavior of all the West Eggers. Other characters as well could be analyzed for what their behavior says not only of themselves but of their social class, and always Gatsby stands outside looking in, much as he stands staring across the bay at West Egg and wishing he was part of that world. As can be seen in Jordan, it is a dishonest world, dishonest in a way quite different from the world of bootlegging from which Gatsby may have come. Nick Carraway is particularly important as narrator, and the selection of this character helps Fitzgerald develop the themes of the work. Frederick J. Hoffman calls Nick the key to the success of the novel and a person "only pa
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Holden Caulfield, Gatsby Nick, Nick Carraway, Behrman Holden, Gatsby Daisy, Tom Daisy, Jordan York, Warren French, West Egg, West Eggers, holden caulfield, west egg, nick carraway, gatsby nick, west eggers, gatsby daisy, gatsby holden, catcher rye, gatsby holden caulfield, jd salinger, gatsby stands, people west egg, eyes nick carraway, gatsby nick carraway, wide variety people,
Approximate Word count = 2100
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)