A reviewer named Sullivan wrote that “reviews that compare White Mike to Holden Caulfield” would make her “shudder in disdain”1. This was the spark that lit my thoughts about the lives of the two adolescent protagonists. “What do you want? Because if you don’t want something, you’ve got nothing. [...] no one will remember where you were frozen and buried, and you will no longer be anywhere.”2 “Certainly it is! Why the hell isn’t it? People never think anything is anything really. I’m getting goddamn sick of it.”3 It is the very special ways Nick McDonell and J.D. Salinger deal with the idea of problematic adolescent identities, which make Twelve as well as The Catcher in the Rye seem extraordinary in many ways. Despite the fact that their techniques and plots are worlds apart, there are to some extent parallels which catch the eyes of at least the attentive reader. The first section of this paper deals with the different types of parental absence White Mike and Holden have to cope with. Concerning this, there is also laid an eye on the by many means similar impacts on them. The substitute role models are discussed in the following part of the paper, while the third part shows up the different types of outcast state White Mike and Holden live in. Last but not least, the fourth section of this paper deals with the stylistic devices both McDonell and Salinger use to create their special atmosphere of parental absence. [1 2p. Online. Internet. 13.05.2004 15.00. Available FTP: http://www.smallspiralnotebook.com/reviews/twelvereviewsullivan.shtml; 2 McDonell, Nick. Twelve. New York : Atlantic Books 2003, 23. White Mike is thinking about”how rich everyone is”.; 3 Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. London : Penguin Books 1994, 155. Holden’s sister Phoebe before was asking him what he wants to be, and he did not give a conventional answer.]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Different Types of Parental Absence
- 2.1 White Mike and his Parents
- 2.2 Holden and his Parents
- 3 The Substitute Role Models
- 3.1 White Mike's Flesh-and-Blood Role Models
- 3.2 Literature as a Substitute
- 3.3 Role Models of Holden
- 3.3.1 His Siblings
- 3.3.2 His Teachers
- 3.4 Role Models Reviewed
- 4 White Mike and Holden in their Social Outcast States
- 4.1 What White Mike thinks about being a Drug-Dealer
- 4.2 Sociologist and Psychoanalyst Views
- 4.3 Holden's Motif for Rejecting School
- 4.4 Widespread Scientific Explanations
- 5 Narrating Parental Absence
- 5.1 McDonell Narrating Parental Absence
- 5.2 Salinger Narrating Parental Absence
- 5.3 The End of the Year
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper compares the portrayal of parental absence and its effects on adolescent protagonists in Nick McDonell's *Twelve* and J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*. The analysis explores the different types of parental absence, the impact on identity formation, and the search for substitute role models. The stylistic choices of each author in conveying the theme of parental absence are also examined. * Different types of parental absence and their impact on adolescents. * The search for substitute role models in the absence of parents. * The social outcast states experienced by the protagonists. * The stylistic devices used by the authors to portray parental absence. * Comparison of the adolescent experiences in *Twelve* and *The Catcher in the Rye*.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of *Twelve* and *The Catcher in the Rye*, sparked by a critical review contrasting the two protagonists. It highlights the unique approaches of McDonell and Salinger in portraying problematic adolescent identities despite their differing techniques and plots, while outlining the paper's structure: exploring the types of parental absence, substitute role models, outcast states, and narrative styles employed.
2 The Different Types of Parental Absence: This chapter examines the various forms of parental absence experienced by White Mike and Holden Caulfield. Drawing upon Frances Nadeau's essay, it categorizes parental absence into four types: death/illness, geographical separation, external forces (like war), and rejection of parental lifestyles. The chapter then focuses on how these types manifest in the lives of the two protagonists, establishing a foundation for understanding the impact of these absences.
2.1 White Mike and his Parents: This section delves into the specific parental absence in White Mike's life. His mother's death three and a half years prior is symbolized by his "hot" and "empty" new room, reflecting the void left in his life. His father's absence stems from his workaholic nature and lack of emotional availability, leading to a distant relationship. An interview with McDonell himself underscores the deliberate portrayal of absent, wealth-obsessed parents in *Twelve*.
2.2 Holden and his Parents: This section contrasts White Mike's experience with Holden's. Holden's parental absence is characterized by emotional distance despite physical proximity. His parents, a successful lawyer and socially active mother, are portrayed as emotionally unavailable, leaving Holden feeling misunderstood and alone. The lack of communication between Holden and his parents exacerbates his feelings of alienation and contributes to his existential struggles.
3 The Substitute Role Models: This chapter investigates the substitute role models that White Mike and Holden seek in response to parental absence. It sets the stage for analyzing the diverse sources of guidance and identification they find.
3.1 White Mike's Flesh-and-Blood Role Models: This section explores how, despite her death, White Mike's mother remains a significant influence, with her burial symbolizing the senselessness of life for him. The chapter will analyze additional flesh-and-blood role models and their impact on White Mike's development.
4 White Mike and Holden in their Social Outcast States: This chapter examines the social alienation experienced by both protagonists, exploring the reasons behind their outcast status. It will delve into the perspectives of sociologists and psychoanalysts to provide broader context to their situations.
5 Narrating Parental Absence: This chapter focuses on the narrative techniques used by McDonell and Salinger to depict parental absence and its consequences, highlighting the stylistic choices that shape the readers' understanding of the protagonists' experiences. It promises a detailed analysis of each author's unique narrative style.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Parental absence, adolescent identity, substitute role models, social alienation, narrative techniques, *Twelve*, *The Catcher in the Rye*, Nick McDonell, J.D. Salinger, comparative analysis, coming-of-age.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Parental Absence in "Twelve" and "The Catcher in the Rye"
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper compares how parental absence and its effects on adolescent protagonists are portrayed in Nick McDonell's *Twelve* and J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*. The analysis explores different types of parental absence, their impact on identity formation, the search for substitute role models, and the authors' stylistic choices in conveying this theme. It also examines the social outcast states experienced by the protagonists.
What types of parental absence are examined?
The paper categorizes parental absence into four types: death/illness, geographical separation, external forces (like war), and rejection of parental lifestyles. It then analyzes how these types manifest in the lives of White Mike (*Twelve*) and Holden Caulfield (*The Catcher in the Rye*).
How does the paper analyze the impact of parental absence?
The paper explores the impact of parental absence on the protagonists' identity formation, their search for substitute role models (including flesh-and-blood figures and literature), and their experiences of social alienation. It uses sociological and psychoanalytic perspectives to provide context to their situations.
What role do substitute role models play in the analysis?
The paper investigates the various substitute role models the protagonists find in the absence of parents. For White Mike, this includes his deceased mother and other potential figures. For Holden, the analysis explores the influence of his siblings and teachers. The paper also considers literature as a potential substitute role model.
How does the paper address the protagonists' social outcast states?
The paper examines the social alienation experienced by both White Mike and Holden, exploring the reasons behind their outcast status. It delves into the perspectives of sociologists and psychoanalysts to offer broader explanations for their situations. Specific examples include White Mike's drug dealing and Holden's rejection of school.
What narrative techniques are analyzed?
The paper focuses on the narrative techniques employed by McDonell and Salinger to portray parental absence and its consequences. It analyzes the stylistic choices that shape the readers' understanding of the protagonists' experiences and how these choices differ between the two authors.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction setting the context; a chapter detailing the different types of parental absence experienced by each protagonist; a chapter focusing on substitute role models; a chapter examining the social outcast states of the protagonists; and a concluding chapter analyzing the narrative techniques used by each author.
Which books are compared in this paper?
The paper compares Nick McDonell's *Twelve* and J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*, focusing on the portrayal of parental absence and its consequences on the adolescent protagonists.
What are the key takeaways of this comparative analysis?
The analysis offers a comparative understanding of how parental absence is depicted in two distinct coming-of-age novels, exploring the multifaceted consequences on adolescent identity, social integration, and the search for meaning and belonging. The stylistic differences in the authors' portrayal of this crucial theme are also highlighted.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Parental absence, adolescent identity, substitute role models, social alienation, narrative techniques, *Twelve*, *The Catcher in the Rye*, Nick McDonell, J.D. Salinger, comparative analysis, coming-of-age.
- Quote paper
- Marc Kemper (Author), 2004, The Importance of Being Present - White Mike and Holden coping with Parental Absence, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118490
