Growing old is inevitable, but having the courage to mature is definitely a choice. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye follows the adventures of seventeen-year-old Holden Caulfield, a lonely outsider that struggles to find his place in society. Similarly, Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid highlights the coming of age and mother-daughter relationships of Annie John on the island of Antigua. Originating in 19th century Germany, a Bildungsroman is a type of novel that focuses on the growth, education, and development of the central character, typically starting from a young age (SOURCE). Both Annie John and The Catcher in the Rye are examples of a Bildungsroman - as the protagonists begin to deal with unfamiliar experiences and internal conflicts, they learn how to grow up and develop. Over the course of each novel, the protagonists embark on journeys, experience phases of rebellion, and eventually come to terms with their understanding of the world by developing a sense of maturity.
Firstly, both protagonists experience an event that sets them on a journey. For instance, Annie is extremely dependent on her mother, and as a result, their relationship is strong and intimate. This is demonstrated when Annie says, “My mother and I often took a bath together ... how important I felt to be with my mother” (Kincaid 14-15). However, soon after Annie turns twelve, Mrs. John becomes quite distant towards her daughter, thereby forcing Annie to develop her own personality and become more independent. This is shown when Mrs. John tells her, “You cannot go around the rest of your life looking like a little me” (Kincaid 26). Due to the absent relationship between the two, Annie’s journey begins, as she navigates her newfound individuality and learns how to grow up without her mother’s support and affection. Through ages ten to seventeen, Annie ultimately learns that independence plays a key role in growing up, thus developing a wise understanding of maturation. Similarly, when Holden in The Catcher in the Rye gets kicked out of Pencey Prep for not applying himself, he is set on a journey in the intimidating city of New York to explore his surroundings and see the world in a new light. Before leaving for his journey, Holden says:
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When I was all set to go, when I had my bags and all, I stood for a while next to the stairs and took a last look down the goddam corridor. I was sort of crying. I don't know why. I put my red hunting hat on, and turned the peak around to the back, the way I liked it, and then I yelled at the top of my goddam voice, 'Sleep tight, ya morons!' (Salinger 68).
Feeling hopeless and scared of what the future holds, Holden leaves Pencey clearly feeling more upset than angry and he begins his adventure with an immature attitude and outlook on life. While exploring new places and people, he embarks on a spiritual journey as he begins to make sense of his life, searching for his place in the world and people to interact with. Being alone gradually allows Holden to understand what independence is like, broadening his understanding of adulthood. Evidently, the events that initiate the protagonists’ journeys allow the characters to begin moving forward in their young lives. Becoming exposed to new challenges and situations allows them to become much more independent. This supports that fact that the protagonists learn how to grow up and transition into adulthood over the course of the novels, which is a defining feature of a Bildungsroman.
Secondly, both of the protagonists experience youthful rebellion, making them reach maturity with difficulty. For instance, as Annie grows up, she begins to enjoy doing the opposite of whatever her mother wants of her. This is demonstrated when Annie says, “I was such a good liar that, almost as if to prove all too true my mother’s saying “Where there’s a liar, there’s a thief,” I began to steal” (Kincaid 63). Annie becomes the worst behaved in her class and upsets her parents by continuing to lie, steal, and be disrespectful. Annie fails to realize that rebelling against her mother is an ineffective way to cope with the isolation she feels, as Mrs. John only becomes more disappointed in her actions. Holden in The Catcher in the Rye is also quite rebellious, as the majority of the novel focuses on him spending time alone in New York doing whatever he pleases after failing out of school. Other people acknowledge this behaviour and attempt to caution Holden about his careless and rebellious ways. For example, Mr. Spencer tells Holden, “Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules” (Salinger 12). However, Holden disregards Mr. Spencer’s insight, telling him he is just going through a phase. Had he took it into consideration, perhaps he would have realized that his inability to conform to societal norms was hindering his personal progress and future. Even though acting out makes growing up difficult, rebellion is significant in adolescent growth because it allows children to learn from their mistakes, which helps them later on in adulthood. Ultimately, each novel is a Bildungsroman because the protagonists’ poor behavior allows them to learn from their faults and begin to understand the consequences behind their actions, which in turn, allows them to develop into adulthood.
Lastly, both protagonists eventually develop a more mature understanding of the world around them. To begin, Annie realizes that running away from her problems solves nothing. For example, she initially believed that moving away from her mother to become a nurse meant that she would never have to deal with her negativity again. Though Annie soon realizes that her presence follows her everywhere, despite the hurtful things that she has said and done to her. This is demonstrated when Mrs. John says, “It doesn’t matter what you do or where you go, I’ll always be your mother and this will always be your home” (Kincaid 147). This experience allows Annie to understand that although her mother distanced herself from her throughout her life, she had no hate towards Annie. Rather, her mother simply wanted her to be independent and to succeed in life. Mrs. John’s love for Annie is also demonstrated when Annie says:
My mother said, 'Well', and then she threw her arms around me. Big tears streamed down her face, and it must have been that—for I could not bear to see my mother cry—which started me crying, too. She then tightened her arms around me and held me to her close, so that I felt that I couldn't breathe” (Kincaid 147).
Longing for the comfort of her mother, Annie finally understands how the love between them never disappeared, rather, it was just on pause until Annie developed her own character. Likewise, near the end of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden has an emotional epiphany. This is demonstrated when Holden says:
I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way all Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don't know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could've been there (Salinger 275).
While watching his sister Phoebe riding a carousel in Central Park, he finally realizes that his life may turn out okay and he feels hopeful of his future, finally allowing him to feel a sense of belonging in the world. To conclude, near the end of the novels both protagonists have proved to have developed a better understanding of their emotions as they finally feel at peace with themselves. Without getting complete closure as to what will happen to the protagonists in the future, it is still evident that they have a better sense of knowledge and maturity to succeed in life, proving that each novel is a Bildungsroman.
Overall, Annie John and The Catcher in the Rye are prime examples of a Bildungsroman, since each novel focuses on the maturing and personal development of each protagonist during their difficult transition from childhood to adulthood. As Annie and Holden are set on their respective journeys, their adventures begin and each face unusual experiences that eventually help them grow and learn as young individuals. Similarly, rebellion allows the characters to learn from their mistakes to eventually allow the protagonists to develop a better outlook and understanding of their lives.
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