Holden Caulfield and White Mike. Two icons that are comparable?

Seminar Paper , 2009 , 13 Pages , Grade: 2,6

American Studies - Literature

The protagonists in J. D. Salinger’s "The Catcher in the Rye" and Nick McDonell’s "Twelve" are commonly compared in literature reviews on novels of education. What do the characters Mike White and Holden Caulfield have in common? Are the two adolescents comparable or are they not?

To answer these questions I will give basic background knowledge about the genre out of which both novels emerge, which is the Bildungsroman or the novel of education. I will then compare Holden Caulfield and White Mike. The aspects that will be in the center of attention are their initial situation, their religion, the feeling of loneliness and the topic of women.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Theoretical Background: Bildungsromane

3. Comparison of Holden Caulfield and White Mike:
Common Traits and Differences
3.1. Initial Situation
3.2. Attitude towardReligion
3.3. Loneliness
3.4. Relationships to Women

4. Conclusion

5. Bibliography

• College: University of Würzburg (Neuphilologisches Institut)
• Course: The Literature of "Becoming"
• Grade: 2,6
• Author: Jasmin Arnold (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 13
• Catalog Number: V470556
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668945425
• ISBN (Book): 9783668945432
• Language: English
• Tags: Becoming Anglistik Amerikanistik Literaturwissenschaft Litwi Englisch