In six pages universal confusion and evil are considered in a thematic analysis of these novels by Golding and Salinger. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: AM2_PPryeSym.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
J. D. Salingers "Catcher in the Rye" and William Goldings "The Lord of the Flies" alike present many life lessons. Each
of these works use symbolism to portray the underlying evil and confusion in the world. Along with the discord and confusion presented in the novels, there are certain other
important themes as well. One which is present in each novel is the difficulty which teenagers sometimes experience when trying to communicate with one another and with others in
their lives. As is the case in other novels of this time period as well. F. Scot Fitzgeralds "The Great Gatsby" is one which comes immediately to mind in
this respect. Fitzgeralds novel presents the ever-present division between those that are wealthy and those that are not. While Fitzgerald uses symbolism as well to convey the theme
of evil and confusion, that found in "Catcher in the Rye" and "The Lord of the Flies" could be considered even more riveting in that they contrast the innocence of
youth with this theme. Indeed, the passage of innocence to experience has many trials and tribulations along the way which can be credited to each authors belief in the
universality of evil and disorder, an evil and disorder which often as not can be related to socioeconomic division as well as other common factors.
There is indeed a considerable amount of symbolism present in each of the above mentioned works. In "Catcher in the Rye", for example, even the name of
the protagonist (Holden) is symbolic for his quest to be the "catcher in the rye". Holden is said, for example, to be symbolic for the phrase "hold in field",