How Does The Catcher In The Rye Conform

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Learn, Adapt, Conform According to Hans F Hansen, “It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.” Is that true? Well, the author of Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger, and the author of Antigone, Sophocles, certainly think it is. Both stories feature a protagonist who goes their own way and is isolated from society as a punishment. In their stories, the authors show that by teaching people not to stand out society can exercise a lot of control over individuals. Holden’s isolation from society as the book progresses represents how society drives out individuals that do not conform. When Holden asks his cab driver about the ducks in central park, the man “…[looks] at him like [he is] a madman. ‘What’re ya tryna do,…show more content…
Haemon advises his father by saying, “…I have heard [the people]/Muttering and whispering in the dark about this girl./They say no woman has ever, so unreasonably,/Died so shameful a death for a generous act…” (Ant 552-555) The people all agree that Antigone’s death is unfair, but will only say it quietly to avoid Creon’s anger. They are too afraid of punishment to stand up for what is right. Unlike Antigone, they do not make a fuss and instead follow the actions of the rest of their peers to avoid a conflict. This attitude of silence is why people are so willing to conform. Another example of this is when, in response to a question of his loyalty, Haemon tells Creon, “I am your son, father. You are my guide./You make things clear for me, and I obey you./No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom.” (Ant 500-502) He says he is loyal to his father even though his true purpose is to save Antigone’s life. This is evidenced when he storms out after Creon refuses to change his judgment on Antigone and when he kills himself after finding her dead body. Despite his true feelings, he chooses the easy path and tries to manipulate Creon by playing the part of a son concerned for his father’s wellbeing when he could have stood up for Antigone and maybe his father would have considered another perspective. When people act like

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