Essay, Research Paper: Huckleberry Finn & Holden Caulfield

Huckleberry Finn & Holden Caulfield - Huck Finn HOlden CaulfieldHuckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield make take journey into self-discovery. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck Finn is trying to find purpose and identity through conflicting of morals. While Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye, is an adolescent struggling to find mature into manhood. In comparison, they are both on a journey towards maturity and identity. Life itself is a journey full of bonding and experiences which lead to wisdom and understanding. Without maturity one may never have these essential experiences. This leads to an empty shell of a person, never truly feeling passion, love or peace. Huck Finn is a young boy deciding which morals to hold true. The quest for what's right is long and confusing. During his adventure is forced to choose between his morals and his conscience. When Huck runs into the bounty hunters he is forced to make one of these decisions. He must choose whether to turn his run-away slave friend Jim as his conscience advises or to trust his morals and protect his friend in need. Fortunately, his will is strong and he creates an elaborate lie to prevent Jim's capture. Huck seeks refuge in nature, where right and wrong don't exist and life's beauty is what is truly important. He mentions that nature is peaceful and he need not worry about either his morality or conscience but is allowed to ponder these personal discrepancies. Holden Caulfield, however, has a much more complex yet equally important struggle. His
struggle is of his own hypocrisy and misunderstanding. This struggle can be overwhelming for some and it is for Holden who requires help to come to terms with maturity. Even though he is constantly speaks as if he is experienced in connection and bonding, they were always just fa ades. Holden thinks he is superior to his environment because he has a false knowledge of it and it's workings. This is best explained by his reaction his old friend June whom he would like to have a meaningful relationship with but cant come to grips on how. Inspite of all he thinks he knows he is really only the faker he despises. Both Huck and Holden must complete their own journey's to become complete individuals. This journey is only a step on the staircase of life which ultimately leads to inner-peace and happiness. Each experience is unique and powerful but are essential to getting the whole picture. What Huck finally comes to terms with is that life's questions should be answered from the heart. He also decides that humanity has evolved into a corrupt species whose ideas aren't worth the headache. His answer is to flee society and all of it's constraints and live in nature where he is free from civilization. Holden has a tougher decision to make since he must completely reverse his thinking completely. The first step is to realize his hypocrisy which he was able to do but couldn't truly solve his problem and was forced to seek professional help in the end. Fortunately, both characters ultimately progress onto the next step by some means outside the conformity of normality.