Black Boy is an autobiography of Richard Wrights early life in the south before he reached Chicago. The Catcher in the Rye is a fictional book whos main character, Holden Caulfield, finds maturity on a trip home. The main characters in Black Boy, by Richard Wright, and The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, share similar and different qualities. Richard Wright and Holden Caulfield have many similarities.
They both have a passion for reading. Richard reads anything he can get his hands on, including racist newspapers. Holden enjoys reading books by his brother, D.B., and Ring Lardner. Neither gets along with teachers very well. Aunt Addie and Richard Wright had several incidents in Sunday school. Holden Caulfield had problems with all his teachers, resulting in his expulsion. Both boys have had harmful, addictive habits.
Richard was a drunkard at the age of six. Holden was a heavy smoker. Mr.Wright and Mr.Caulfield had many similar characteristics. While Richard and Holden had many similarities, the differences are many. Richard Wright is a black man. Holden Caulfield is white. Richard has an intense urge to learn. Holden has a different opinion on learning; he finds it dreadfully boring. Richard couldnt stay in school due to his constant travel and shift of residence.
Holden, on the other hand, was constantly expelled from school because he failed most his classes. Richard had only one parent growing up. Holden had both, whether they were there for him or not. Richard and Holden had many different qualities. Richard Wright had a rough childhood. Abandoned by his father at a young age, Richard was left to fend with his mother and younger brother. Richard had an abusive youth; he was almost beaten to death at age five. His family moved frequently, to and from his Grandmas house. Grandmas strict Christian way of life took its toll on Richard, as he rebelled against authority. Growing up Richard was tormented with the fact that hes black. As Richard was quoted, This was the culture from which I sprang. This was the terror from which I fled. (Wright 257)
On the other hand, Holden doesnt like to talk about his family, but we get the hint that it was strict. As Holden said, … my parents would have two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them. Theyre nice and all, but touchy as hell. (Salinger 1) Richard had been moved from school to school over many years and didnt get a full year of schooling until he was older. When he was younger, Richard learned a number of obscenities from the older boys at school. He learned to prove himself when he moved to Greenwood by fighting the school bully. In middle and high school, Richard did very well in his studies. He was elected valedictorian of his class. At the beginning of the school term I read my civics and English and geography volumes through and only referred to them when in class, remarked Richard. (Wright 133)
Whereas, Holden Caulfield wasnt a big fan of school, teachers, or homework. He was expelled from his private school because he was failing four out of five classes. If Im not mistaken, I believe you had some difficulty at the Whooton School and at Elkton Hills, too, said Holdens teacher, Mr. Spencer. (Salinger 13) Richard was partially brought up by his Grandma, who was an avid Christian. He didnt really believe all the church stuff, though. You see, Granny, if I ever saw an angel like Jacob did, then Id believe.(Wright 117).
Richard was bored with Sunday school and played hooky from church with his friends. He was baptized, but only because he didnt want to risk embarrassing his mother in front of the whole neighborhood. Similarly, Holdens religious beliefs were to the extent of his foul vocabulary. He went to chapel at school, but didnt care too much. Holden thought it was all very phony, and Holden didnt like phony things or people. He told us we ought to think of Jesus as our buddy and all. That killed me.(Salinger 17)
Richard Wright and Holden Caulfield led very different lives, yet they both suffered from the same discrimination. Richard was discriminated because of the color of his skin; Holden because of his age. The two characters were very complex. In conclusion, Richard and Holden were very alike and very different.