Similarities Between The Motorcycle Diaries And Catcher In The Rye
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Discovery is a state of mind that challenges an individual's values by changing one’s perspective. Both Ernesto Guevara’s, “The Motorcycle Diaries” (TMD) and J.D. Salinger’s, “The Catcher in the Rye” (Catcher) utilise their reflective forms of text to reveal that one only achieves this state of mind by reflecting on one’s confronting experiences. Through diverse literary techniques, discovery is uncovered as a complex process that involves personal growth. As such, confronting discoveries can lead to personal growth however these texts reveal that it is personal growth that causes true discovery. Despite this, the presence of ignorance and fixation can hinder this delicate process and inhibit change in our world.
Both texts uncover how one…show more content… Both texts focus on spiritual growth and how one’s state of mind evolves under such circumstances. In “TMD,” Ernesto’s daughter describes him in the preface as “increasingly aware” as he “discovered the reality of our continent.” This prepares the reader for elements of bildungsroman as the narrative involves both subjective and objective language. In the “seven lakes road,” Ernesto describes the scenery with a personified “scent of wilderness caressing our nostrils,” but, “seeing the landscape at this superficial level only captures its boring uniformity.” This provides insight into Ernesto’s initial reaction and understanding of his new experience as he cannot comprehend past the physical aspect. However, using a semicolon, Ernesto adds “for that you must stop at least several days.” This suggests later editing and personal growth as it reveals the objectivity gained to lucidly re-evaluate experiences upon reflection. Hence, he undergoes transformation to understand that discovery doesn’t reside within physical landscapes; rather is felt when a sense of connection is nurtured between one's internal and external environment. This is similarly explored in “Catcher,” where the imagery of Holden poised on a cliff becomes a surrealistic illustration of the separation between childhood and adulthood. Consequently, intertextuality is introduced as it is based on Holden’s mishearing of Robert Burn’s poem “Coming Thro the Rye” about meeting in the rye to have sex. This shows how his experiences of the “phony” world have overwhelmed him to the point where he only understands what he wants to. This reveals the importance of perspective, as the idea of phoniness clouds Holden’s view to result in a narrow-minded mission to resist maturity. As such, Holden’s fixation on childhood is revealed as he recalls being, “…psychoanalysed,” after