Comparing Catcher In The Rye And The Bell Jar

‘The Catcher in the Rye’ and ‘The Bell Jar’ are two comparable bildungsroman novels that handle the topics ‘loneliness and madness’ in ways typical to modern American Literature, techniques including irreverent humour and terse prose. Yet it must be considered that Plath and Salinger depict altered views on loneliness and madness. Whilst both authors are attentive to the superficial values of 1950’s America, Plath’s novel is individualised as it seems to focus on the darker side of society, inclusive of gender inequalities and social conformity. Salinger’s male protagonist centres on a tale of an individual’s alienation in a prosperous, post-war industrial economy, dealing with the social rules for the younger generation. Both Salinger and
Correspondingly, a numbness is conveyed as Holden relates to ‘you felt like you were disappearing every time you crossed a road.’ Feelings of insignificance reiterates the isolated, reclusive theme of both novels. In ‘Bell Jar’, An intentional contrast between Doreen, who is ‘so white she looked silver’, and the dark, dismal appearance of herself ‘black shantung sheath... that was cut so queerly’ is established, furthering the sense of intense observation and leaving little time for understanding oneself. A narrator in this sense could be considered untrustworthy, particularly a narrator with such paranoia and self-disapproval, ‘he didn’t give me a second look’. In comparison, Salinger depicts a narrator that too could be received as unreliable. Frequent hyperbolising quote suggests a character that’s untrustworthy and incapable of conveying the true weight of loneliness and isolation. Whilst Esther does express a harsh critique or compliment on other characters within the novel, her inability to comprehend others could be Plath’s suggestion of her inability to find her true self, as she ‘never really understood Hilda’. Much of Plath’s narrative voice centres on either glorifying or disapproving of the actions and appearances of others, similar to the cynical outlook expressed
Intentional irony could be uncovered as the mature and scholar-like essence of writing together with an impressive range of vocabulary, juxtaposes the mental crisis the narrator is experiencing. Plath’s narrative voice employs an educated register, ‘I felt dreadfully inadequate’. Yet despite the conversationalist narrative voice with hints of dark humour, ‘there is nothing like puking with somebody to make you into old friends’, it’s significant that Plath chooses to retell the novel in a fragmented, non-chronological order. Plath place’s 'It hurts,' I said, 'is it supposed to hurt?'" In a completely unrelated piece of text, perhaps in order to assist in presenting Esther’s lonely and detached view from her ‘Bell Jar’, reminding the reader that this is a narrator with an unstable mind set. On the other hand, J.D.Salinger presents his narrative voice with no observable display of intellect, yet it’s significant that Holden makes constant referrals to educational novels he has read ‘Thomas Hardy’. Salinger hints at Holden’s intellect as a teacher himself notes he’s ‘in love with knowledge’. Nonetheless, Salinger insinuates that Holden is a character who is troubled by trivialities, despite his intelligence. In a child-like fashion, Holden wonders ‘if [the pond] would be frozen over when [he] got home, and if it was, where did