Interpersonality In A Clockwork Orange And The Catcher In The Rye

How is characterization developed through interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships between the protagonist in A Clockwork Orange and The Catcher in the Rye?

Introduction

Upon first glance, it is easy to think that Antony Burgess A Clockwork Orange and J.D Salinger the Catcher in the Rye are polar opposites, and are unrelated in every way except for having teenager protagonists. However, as we explore and make a deeper analysis of both books, a different conclusion emerges as we identify common elements in the structure that give the characters similar characteristics and characterization. Granted, one subject is a 15 year-old boy on the loose trying to fulfil his desires by outgoing into a violent rampage against society; the other is centred on a teenager that flunks school and goes on a journey through New York City trying to escape from the inevitable reality of growing up. Nevertheless, the two possess a common theme of family and friendship as the protagonists seek desperately the

Burgess and Salinger, through similar characters, problems and narrative voice are able to create a grandiose portrait of teenagers that struggle to face reality and connect with other people.

Burgess and Salinger manage to convey the despair, and troubles of common teenagers in their characters, portraying a sense of desperation coupled with disappointment that causes the protagonists to grow as the plot develops. Thus the intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships of the protagonists are very significant and important, as they determined the characters identity.

Chapter 1: The effect of the narrative voice

If the Catcher in the Rye and A Clockwork Orange were reduced to a single phrase,