Catcher in the Rye and Red Badge of Courage - the...

The Catcher in the Rye and The Red Badge of Courage detail the gradual maturation of two immature boys into self-reliant young men. The steady speed at which Salingers and Cranes language streams enables the reader to see the independent events that lead up to the ultimate rite of passage for both Henry and Holden. Although the pinnacle of maturity Holden reached concerned his pessimistic view of the world and Henrys was a unifying moment of bravery, both boys experienced an epiphany over the course of their respective tales. Holden came to a realization in the timeless peace of an Egyptian tomb that forced him to reevaluate his immature and selfish views. His new attitude was first displayed while he watched Phoebe snatch at the gold†¦show more content†¦Henrys epiphany occurs in the following battle. He discards the expectations of his peers and declares his individuality and courage by seizing the flag from the dead color sergeant and waving it before the regiment. He ris ks death as the easiest of targets and thus displays his courage and strength. The seizing of the flag is Henrys ultimate rite of passage. He discards the terrified and cautious youth he enlisted as and becomes a mature, courageous adult. His reach for the flag proves he is as brave and courageous as the warriors whose stories dazzled him as a boy. br brHenry and Holden began both their stories weaker and more ignorant than they left them. How are their rises to maturity similar and different? Both stories cover a time period of about three days. The three days are greatly important, as they detail the rite of passage from youth to maturity. Such a prodigious transformation in a mere three days implies an extraordinary sequence of preceding events. Both The Catcher in the Rye and The Red Badge of Courage tell a story of one of the most relevant time periods in both of the main characters lives- their rise to adulthood. Both characters seem to have promising futures ahead of them. Holden ends his account of the madman stuff that happened to him last Christmas giving the impression that he will try harder in school and that he actually missed the people he criticized so harshly.Show MoreRelated Comparing Maturation in Catcher in the Rye and Red Badge of Courage1421 Words   |  6 PagesMaturation in Catcher in the Rye and Red Badge of Courage    The Catcher in the Rye and The Red Badge of Courage detail the gradual maturation of two immature boys into self-reliant young men. The steady speed at which Salingerà ­s and Craneà ­s language streams enables the reader to see the independent events that lead up to the ultimate rite of passage for both Henry and Holden. Although the pinnacle of maturity Holden reached concerned his pessimistic view of the world and Henryà ­s was a unifying