Catcher and the Rye vs. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
Is Conformity Right? 1984’s Winston Smith, Catcher In the Rye’s Holden Caulfield, and Once Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’s Randle P. McMurphy all have different views on the world around them. The opinions that they have set them apart from the individuals in their society. Each of them handle their customs, beliefs, rules, and behaviors of their own particular societies differently. They are all different from the others in their community but each in their own unique way. Winston’s wife dislikes him while Phoebe, Holden’s sister admires him. Randle and Winston were both a threat to their surrounding society. Each of these three characters tested the society and rules. Holden Caulfield’s younger sister adores him and admires him. She looks up to him, as most little sisters do, and she tries to follow his footsteps and become just like him. However, most people don’t see Holden the way the Phoebe does. Some people for instance, the cab driver that drove Holden to the hotel he stayed in, just wanted to throw Holden out of the cab and get on with his life. Holden is humorous, but his humor is witty which some people do not enjoy. At times Holden can be very sweet and kind. Such as when he donated some money to nuns at the train station, and had a mature conversation with them. However, Holden is picky about the people he likes, and the people he is willing to get to know. He is constantly finding fault and criticizing anyone he sees. He hates the stereotypical prep school boys. One night Holden went out to a restaurant where the owner, Ernie was playing the piano. Everyone was clapping and cheering with delight except for Holden. He thought that Ernie was a “phony” and thought him playing the piano was ridiculous. Several times throughout the novel you hear Holden calling someone a “phony” or “jerk”. Holden challenges the beliefs in his society by thinking in the opposite way. He doesn’t follow the customs or the rules set out for him. Holden’s behavior is like