‘THE CATCHER IN THE RYE’ AND ‘IGBY GOES DOWN’ – NON-CONFORMITY

Both J.D Salinger’s 1951 Bildungsroman novel The Catcher in the Rye and Burr Steer’s film Igby Goes Down, demonstrate that regardless of context, the youth will choose not to conform to socially held values. We can see that this is the manifestation of the vulnerability and hesitation experienced as adolescents like us grow up. Ultimately both these texts explore the search for identity and individualism as a cause for non-conformity. The Catcher in the Rye was written during a post war era and a time of drastic social change. However, many of its conservative values remained and most importantly, the notion of youth conformity was held in high regard. On the other hand, Igby Goes Down is set in the 1980s -1990’s American era, a time of expanding multi national corporations, materialism and commercialism. Salinger and Steers utilise the characterisation of their young, sardonic and rebellious protagonists, Holden and Igby to epitomise non-conformity. The composers allude to the recurring theme of isolation and alienation in both texts. As a result of their non-conformity, the protagonists experience rejection and depression as they search for their selfhood. Similarly, the national ethos of the American Dream is explored as a mere fallacy, and both composers portray this through their protagonist’s wealthy backgrounds and opulent upbringings and yet money doesn’t bring them happiness. Salinger, through literary devices and Steers, through cinematic techniques effectively convey that youth will always refuse to conform regardless of context because conforming denies individuality.

Salinger in his novel The Catcher in The Rye explores the ideas of non-conformity in association with Holden Caulfield’s isolation and alienation. The 1950’s Conservative American context demanded adolescents such as Holden to conform to social expectations in areas such as education and the family unit. However, the composer highlights that the youth of any given context flout the socially held notions at the given time. The collectivistic values adopted in the 1950’s denied the youth of individual expression. Holden, a symbol of the youth generation defies social views for example, by being expelled from institutions such as schools. Consequently, Holden is subjected to loneliness and depression, the root of his non-conformist behaviour and attitudes. Salinger challenges the social expectations that burdened the youth and he believed due to a social shift, that the youth were victims. The denial of responsibilities and latching onto youthful innocence, leads to one’s seeking of identity and individualism and hence in Holden’s case isolation and alienation. Essentially, Salinger’s belief in such social reform explains is the cause for non-conformity. The composer highlights these ideas through the utilisation of symbolism, and for example the Museum of Natural History, “The best thing in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was.” The symbolism partnered with the stream of consciousness writing style accentuated Holden’s apprehension from growing up. From this Salinger highlights that Holden cannot cope with change and therefore his opposition of conformity is a result of his uncertainty of selfhood and consequently, leading to rejection from society. Therefore, regardless of context and environment, youth moving through a transition phase of self-recognition, will decide not to conform.

Similarly, Steers in his film Igby Goes Down also explores the recurring theme of isolation in illustrating youth’s rebellious nature regardless of context. The late 20th Century was a time of social change, however, the expectations on youth remained the same. Simply put, they were expected to conform. However, Steers wishes to illustrate that as a consequence of isolation and alienation, the protagonist struggles to attain a sense of identity, which is a trigger for his unorthodox and non-conformist behaviour. The composer explores this through the symbolism of costuming such as Igby’s scarf, a sign of his individualism and resistance to conformity. This is also seen in The Catcher in the Rye and Holden’s Red Hunting hat. Steers employs irony and dialogue to highlight his perspective on the issue of non-conformity as Igby recalls of his experience at military school, “I’m glad I went. It made everything clear.” Our first recollection of Igby’s military school is when he disrespectfully smokes illicit drugs in front of the American flag, a symbol of freedom, bravery and justice. The idea in this scene accompanied by ironic dialogue is successful in emphasising Igby’s non-conformist behaviour as the audience is stunned by his insulting actions. The film portrays that regardless of context; youth, subjected to isolation will always choose not to conform as they seek personal belonging.

Salinger in his text also highlights the non-conformist nature of youth through the exploration of the concept of the American Dream as complete fallacy. The composer conveys that regardless of the social and cultural environment, youth decide not to conform to the social expectations of the 1950’s in conservative America. This post-war era experienced an influx of war-affected migrants and the belief that hard work and struggles would result in monetary wealth and hence ultimately happiness was widely accepted. However, Salinger dismisses the notion and believes the national ethos was flawed. He challenges the concept through the characterisation of the young and wealthy protagonist, Holden Caulfield. We see this through Holden’s stream of consciousness, “If you sat around there long enough and heard all the phonies applauding and all, you got to hate everybody in the world, I swear you did.” The insight into Holden’s immediate thoughts is clearly effective in highlighting his struggles with his pessimism despite his monetary wealth. Therefore, Salinger illustrates that wealth does not equate to happiness and hence the American Dream a mere fallacy. Salinger explains Holden’s continual depression and search for identity as a catalyst for his non-conformist values and attitudes regardless of the context.

Steers, likewise in his film also scrutinizes the ideal of the American Dream as he also explains to us that context isn’t a factor in the youth’s decision to always go against social conventions. Compliance with social views during the 1990’s was paramount, especially during a time of immense socioeconomic pressure and occupational success. Ultimately, Steers explains that the American Dream leads to two paths, either depression or immorality. We see this through the use of flashback as we see the breakdown of Jason in the bathroom, “you see Igby, I feel this great, great pressure coming down on me.” Jason’s mental illness is a physical manifestation of social pressure and Steers foreshadows that this too is Igby’s fate. The filmic technique is effective and clearly indicates to us responders that despite overwhelming wealth, monetary affluence does not equate to happiness. With the overwhelming expectations on the youth at this time, Igby results to non-conformist behaviour as he fails to uphold and accept the social views of the era. Despite having an opulent lifestyle, Igby struggles to discover self-hood and hence ignites the timeless nature of youth as rebellious and malcontent.

To reiterate, both rite of passage texts, The Catcher in the Rye and Igby Goes Down, demonstrate regardless of context, youth will always choose not to conform. The composers explain that is mainly due to the two young protagonists, trapped in between the innocence of childhood and the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood. Tell you parents we were born this way.

Both J.D Salinger’s 1951 Bildungsroman novel The Catcher in the Rye and Burr Steer’s film Igby Goes Down, demonstrate that regardless of context, the youth will choose not to conform to socially held values. We can see that this is the manifestation of the vulnerability and hesitation experienced as adolescents like us grow up. Ultimately both these texts explore the search for identity and individualism as a cause for non-conformity. | The Catcher in the Rye was written during a post war era and a time of drastic social change. However, many of its conservative values remained and most importantly, the notion of youth conformity was held in high regard. On the other hand, Igby Goes Down is set in the 1980s -1990’s American era, a time of expanding multi national corporations, materialism and commercialism. | Salinger and Steers utilise the characterisation of their young, sardonic and rebellious protagonists, Holden and Igby to epitomise non-conformity. The composers allude to the recurring theme of isolation and alienation in both texts. As a result of their non-conformity, the protagonists experience rejection and depression as they search for their selfhood. | Similarly, the national ethos of the American Dream is explored as a mere fallacy, and both composers portray this through their protagonist’s wealthy backgrounds and opulent upbringings and yet money doesn’t bring them happiness. Salinger, through literary devices and Steers, through cinematic techniques effectively convey that youth will always refuse to conform regardless of context because conforming denies individuality. | Salinger in his novel The Catcher in The Rye explores the ideas of non-conformity in association with Holden Caulfield’s isolation and alienation. The 1950’s Conservative American context demanded adolescents such as Holden to conform to social expectations in areas such as education and the family unit. However, the composer highlights that the youth of any given context flout the socially held notions at the given time. | The collectivistic values adopted in the 1950’s denied the youth of individual expression. Holden, a symbol of the youth generation defies social views for example, by being expelled from institutions such as schools. Consequently, Holden is subjected to loneliness and depression, the root of his non-conformist behaviour and attitudes. Salinger challenges the social expectations that burdened the youth and he believed due to a social shift, that the youth were victims. | The denial of responsibilities and latching onto youthful innocence, leads to one’s seeking of identity and individualism and hence in Holden’s case isolation and alienation. Essentially, Salinger’s belief in such social reform explains is the cause for non-conformity. The composer highlights these ideas through the utilisation of symbolism, and for example the Museum of Natural History, quote | “The best thing in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was.” The symbolism partnered with the stream of consciousness writing style accentuated Holden’s apprehension from growing up. From this Salinger highlights that Holden cannot cope with change and therefore his opposition of conformity is a result of his uncertainty of selfhood and consequently, leading to rejection from society. | Therefore, regardless of context and environment, youth moving through a transition phase of self-recognition, will decide not to conform. Similarly, Steers in his film Igby Goes Down also explores the recurring theme of isolation in illustrating youth’s rebellious nature regardless of context. | The late 20th Century was a time of social change, however, the expectations on youth remained the same. Simply put, they were expected to conform. However, Steers wishes to illustrate that as a consequence of isolation and alienation, the protagonist struggles to attain a sense of identity, which is a trigger for his unorthodox and non-conformist behaviour. | The composer explores this through the symbolism of costuming such as Igby’s scarf, a sign of his individualism and resistance to conformity. This is also seen in The Catcher in the Rye and Holden’s Red Hunting hat. Steers employs irony and dialogue to highlight his perspective on the issue of non-conformity as Igby recalls of his experience at military school, “I’m glad I went. It made everything clear.” | Our first recollection of Igby’s military school is when he disrespectfully smokes illicit drugs in front of the American flag, a symbol of freedom, bravery and justice. The idea in this scene accompanied by ironic dialogue is successful in emphasising Igby’s non-conformist behaviour as the audience is stunned by his insulting actions. The film portrays that regardless of context; youth, subjected to isolation will always choose not to conform as they seek personal belonging. | Salinger in his text also highlights the non-conformist nature of youth through the exploration of the concept of the American Dream as complete fallacy. The composer conveys that regardless of the social and cultural environment, youth decide not to conform to the social expectations of the 1950’s in conservative America. | This post-war era experienced an influx of war-affected migrants and the belief that hard work and struggles would result in monetary wealth and hence ultimately happiness was widely accepted. However, Salinger dismisses the notion and believes the national ethos was flawed. He challenges the concept through the characterisation of the young and wealthy protagonist, Holden Caulfield. | We see this through Holden’s stream of consciousness, “If you sat around there long enough and heard all the phonies applauding and all, you got to hate everybody in the world, I swear you did.” The insight into Holden’s immediate thoughts is clearly effective in highlighting his struggles with his pessimism despite his monetary wealth. Therefore, Salinger illustrates that wealth does not equate to happiness and hence the American Dream a mere fallacy. | Salinger explains Holden’s continual depression and search for identity as a catalyst for his non-conformist values and attitudes regardless of the context. Steers, likewise in his film also scrutinizes the ideal of the American Dream as he also explains to us that context isn’t a factor in the youth’s decision to always go against social conventions. | Compliance with social views during the 1990’s was paramount, especially during a time of immense socioeconomic pressure and occupational success. Ultimately, Steers explains that the American Dream leads to two paths, either depression or immorality. We see this through the use of flashback as we see the breakdown of Jason in the bathroom, “you see Igby, I feel this great, great pressure coming down on me.” | Jason’s mental illness is a physical manifestation of social pressure and Steers foreshadows that this too is Igby’s fate. The filmic technique is effective and clearly indicates to us responders that despite overwhelming wealth, monetary affluence does not equate to happiness. | With the overwhelming expectations on the youth at this time, Igby results to non-conformist behaviour as he fails to uphold and accept the social views of the era. Despite having an opulent lifestyle, Igby struggles to discover self-hood and hence ignites the timeless nature of youth as rebellious and malcontent. | To reiterate, both rite of passage texts, The Catcher in the Rye and Igby Goes Down, demonstrate regardless of context, youth will always choose not to conform. The composers explain that is mainly due to the two young protagonists, trapped in between the innocence of childhood and the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood. Tell your parents we were born this way. | |