Essay- Igby and The Catcher
There are clear comparisons between J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” and Burr Steers “Igby goes down”. During this essay, clear points will be made and reinforced by examples from both texts.
The Catcher in the Rye is set in post war New York, where the recently concluded war ushered in a time of unforseen where money earned was soon spent and consumer materialism was seemingly endless. Holden finds himself expelled from the selective Pencey College where he had flunked all of his classes except for English. This is consistent of Salinger’s upbringing and is imprinted upon Holden.
Igby’s setting is modern day contemporary New York where consumerism is decreased by uncertainty. The setting of New York complements the feeling of alienation felt by Igby as he flees all ties from his family even D.H. (unaware that he is his father, Igby always keeps distance between himself and his mother and only maintains contact with his brother Oliver.
Even though the context of each text is widely varied, both protagonists come from financially high earning families who are able to provide the top education, clothes, items etc. However the protagonists adopt contempt for the adults and the facade they portray, in Igby’s case his godfather/father D.H. or for Holden almost every person he encounters.
The feelings of both protagonists profound sense of pressure to conform and alienation is accentuated by their respective environments and those who inhabit it.
After flunking from Pencey College, Holden leaves for New York in order to give his parents time to calm down after the letter they will receive to inform them of their sons expulsion. While in New York Holden stays at the Edmont hotel.
During his time at the Edmont, Holden Decides to see a nightclub owner who his brother D.B. knew called Ernie who is also a pianist. Throughout Holden’s time there, his entire stream of consciousness is focused on criticism of Ernie’s performance...