The Catcher in the Rye Compare/Contrast Essay
English 10
Characters and real people alike struggle to achieve self-awareness. In a five-paragraph essay, compare
and/or contrast the self-awareness of Holden with the self-awareness of Jamal or Forrester (choose one). Use
examples to ultimately make a statement about how self-awareness affects the characters’ chance for
success/happiness—this will be your thesis. Use at least six direct quotes from the novel and film (three each) to
support your points about the characters.
Note: Each body paragraph will be about both characters as they are compared in a particular area. Consider the
various ways to focus each paragraph (choose three).
1. Each character’s awareness of relationship dynamics with particular family members
o Is the relationship between each character and his mother, father or siblings a positive one? What
makes the relationship productive?
o Is the relationship between each character and his mother, father or siblings a negative one? What
makes the relationship unproductive?
2. Each character’s understanding of his relationship with a potential love interest
o Do the characters express their feelings for their love interests?
o Do the characters attempt to avoid those feelings they have for their love interest?
o Are the romantic feelings reciprocated (returned) by the love interest? Why or why not?
3. Each character’s cognizance of his academic potential
o Is the character achieving all that he can in school or other academic realms?
o What is helping him achieve that potential?
o What might be standing in his way?
4. Each character’s recognition of what his personal priorities– or lack of priorities– are
o Does the character know what he values most in life?
o Does the character act in a way that helps him to maintain his priorities?
5. Each character’s appreciation for his specific talents
o What does the character do well?
o How does he feel about that particular talent?
o What does the character do to cultivate his talents?
6. Each character’s mindfulness of how he appears and/or impacts others
o How do other people respond to each character?
o Do the characters know why people respond the way they do?
o How do the characters influence people’s responses?
7. Each character’s overall attention to how his current behavior will affect his future
o Do the characters demonstrate an awareness of how their behavior affects their future?
o Do the characters act in a manner that will have a positive effect on their future? Is their behavior
the result of a conscious effort?
o Do the characters act in a manner that will have a negative effect on their future? Why do they do
things that may hurt them in the long run? Do they know why?
8. Other possible areas for comparison include the following:
 internalization
 externalization
 idealization
 defense mechanisms
Be sure to explore the two characters’ actions, language or attitude that demonstrate their similarities (compare)
or differences (contrast).
Prewriting:
Do I think Holden is self-aware? __________
Examples:



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How does his level of self-awareness affect his ability to achieve his goals?
Do I think Forrester is self-aware? ___________
Examples:




How does his level of self-awareness affect his ability to achieve his goals?
Do I think Jamal is self-aware? ___________
Examples:




How does his level of self-awareness affect his ability to achieve his goals?
Introduction:
The battle to achieve self-awareness is a theme that stretches from literature to film and to life. In The
Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s ability to overcome his battle with depression hinges on his understanding of what
he does and why he does it. In Finding Forrester, Jamal’s/Forrester’s (choose Forrester or Jamal for the entire
paper) realizing his potential requires that he learn about himself and change as a result. Both the characters
and the situations mentioned above make it clear that a character or person’s level of self-awareness is key in
determining whether he will find success or failure/happiness or depression (choose one of these pairings) at the
end of his journey. The importance of self-awareness becomes even more clear as each character’s
_________________, _______________ and ________________ are compared and contrasted.
Outlining:
For each topic sentence, be sure to include the following elements
Holden
+
Forrester or Jamal
+
attention
mindfulness
appreciation
recognition
cognizance
understanding
awareness
or other synonym
+
family
love interest
academic potential
personal priorities
talents
appearance/impact
Be sure to use a transition word, phrase or idea when moving from a discussion of one character to
another.
comparison
also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite
contrast
that, even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in
spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary,
on the other hand, otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet
Remember to sandwich your quotes!
=Introduce your quote by explaining where/when it comes up
=Integrate quote into a sentence of your own
= Explain how quote relates to your thesis
How to Integrate Quotes Effectively
Use “says” followed by a comma:
When Holden says, “I’m one of these very yellow guys. I try not to show it, but I am,” it shows that
he has very little self-awareness (Salinger 88). Later when he stands up to Maurice, someone who is
much older and bigger than he is, he proves that he is willing to put himself in harm’s way if someone
tries to make him compromise what he knows to be true.
Use a colon:
Salinger makes it clear that Holden has very little self-awareness: “I’m one of these very yellow guys.
I try not to show it, but I am”; consequently, Holden ignores the fact that he stands up to Stradlater
and Maurice two people who are far bigger than he is (Salinger 88).
Integration with your own words:
When Holden says that he is “one of these very yellow guys,” it shows his lack of self-awareness
because he does not acknowledge times when he stands up for what he believes in (Salinger 88). Even
though Holden does not recognize it, when he punches Stradlater, he is simultaneously defending Jane’s
honor and his brother’s memory.
The Catcher in the Rye
Five-Paragraph Essay Rubric
Set- Up - 10 points
 Begins with an MLA formatted heading

Heading is followed by an engaging title centered above the first line of text

Double-spaced, Size 12 Times New Roman Font

Upper right hand corner of all subsequent pages has student’s last name and
consecutive page numbers

5 paragraphs, with clear evidence of an introduction, body and conclusion
Introduction - 10 points
 Begins with one or two sentences that are broad in topic; lead directly to provided thesis and overview 
Includes the work’s title and author

Clear, specific thesis

Sequential overview that succinctly previews the contents of each paragraph
Body Paragraph #1 - 20 points
 Two way topic sentence that introduces topic of the paragraph and connects directly to paper’s thesis

Intelligent, thoughtful development of ideas including specific explanations, facts, and/or examples
supporting how topic of the paragraph connects to thesis

Two relevant, integrated quotations with appropriate citations

Closing sentence that provides closure that build off of ideas included in the paragraph while reinforcing
the paper’s specific focus.
Body Paragraph #2 - 20 points
 Two way topic sentence that introduces topic of the paragraph and connects directly to paper’s thesis

Intelligent, thoughtful development of ideas including specific explanations, facts, and/or examples
supporting how topic of the paragraph connects to thesis

Two relevant, integrated quotations with appropriate citations

Closing sentence that provides closure that build off of ideas included in the paragraph while reinforcing
the paper’s specific focus.
Body Paragraph #3 - 20 points
 Two way topic sentence that introduces topic of the paragraph and connects directly to paper’s thesis

Intelligent, thoughtful development of ideas including specific explanations, facts, and/or examples
supporting how topic of the paragraph connects to thesis

Two relevant, integrated quotations with appropriate citations

Closing sentence that provides closure that build off of ideas included in the paragraph while reinforcing
the paper’s specific focus.
Conclusion - 10 points
 Restate thesis with varied wording

Review main ideas presented in body paragraphs

Make a broad statement that addresses the importance of the paper’s thesis beyond the book itself.
Conventions - 10 points
 Proper use of quotations, commas and semicolons

Compound sentences punctuated properly

Correct spelling, grammar and usage

Use present tense verbs to discuss action of the novel and/or film

Use third person; no “I, me, you, we

Correct punctuation, including quotes, in-text citations, commas and semi-colons

Correct capitalization

No contractions (ex. can’t, won’t, I’ll, they’re…)

No run-on sentences or sentence fragments

Avoid conversational style – use a formal tone in your writing

Strong word choice (Avoid very, a lot, amazing)

Evidence of proof reading - NOT just spell check!
FILM QUOTES
“Jamal maintains a C average...which means he does enough to get by and just enough not to stand out.”-Miss Joyce
“And he's always writing in his notebooks. Ever since his father left.”-Mrs. Wallace
“My brother was there a few years ago, but he left after my dad left. My mom got tired of waiting for my dad to get clean. And my
dad got tired of trying. That's when I started writing.”-Jamal
“I want you to read more of my stuff.”-Jamal
“They talk a lot about you out there. All this legend bullshit. They got some stories. People wonder if you killed someone. That, and
wondering why you been in here so long.”-Jamal
“I wouldn't move. It's quiet. You don't hear nothing in here.” -Forrester
“If I ask you not to say anything to anybody...about here, us...is that something I can trust you on?” –Forrester
“But Crawford's messed up on it anyhow. He says the guy having trouble after the war is really you. Some symbolism shit for all
the problems you were having with everybody.” –Jamal
“And I do go outside. How do you think those windows get cleaned?” -Forrester
“Whatever we write in this apartment...stays in this apartment. No exceptions.” –Forrester
“What's hard is growing up in a place cops don't even want to be in after dark. What's hard is knowing you're safe there. 'Cause
the people you need to worry about, know you've got nothing to give them.” -Jamal
“It was the neighborhood that changed, not me.” –Forrester
“Why must everything be so black and white with you?” –girl
“And when the critics started all this bullshit about...what it was I was really trying to say...well, I decided then...one book was
enough.” –Forrester
“My brother and I, we were here for every game. Till he left for the war. I thought it'd be the same when he came back, but...he
talked a little less...and drank a little more.” -Forrester
“I promised my mother I would help him get through it all. He makes it through the whole goddamn war...and I let him drive.” –
Forrester
“Later that night, the nurse was typing...whatever it is they type...and you know what she tells me? She tells me how much my book
meant to her. My brother is getting cold in the next room...and all she can talk about is a book.” –Forrester
“Everything changed from then on. Within five months, I buried...him, my ma, my father. All of them here in the Bronx.” -Forrester
“You promised me anything we wrote in here would stay in here.” –Forrester
“I'm used to people not helping me.” -Jamal
“Oh, Christ. Not that self-pity father bullshit.” -Forrester
“The real bullshit is you letting me take it on this one...'cause you're scared to walk out the door and do something for someone
else.” -Jamal
“You don't know a damn thing about reasons. There are no reasons! Reasons why some of us live and some of us don't. Fortunately
for you, you've decades to figure that out.” –Forrester
“I spoke here today because a friend of mine wasn't allowed to. A friend who had the integrity to protect me...when I was unwilling
to protect him.” –Forrester
Finding Forrester. Dir. Gus Van Sant. Screenplay by Mike Rich. Columbia Pictures, 2000. Film.