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Introduction Q: ‘Story interprets human experiences for us. Evaluate this statement as it applies to Doerr’s ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ and J.D. Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’. Stories such as Doerr’s epic revisionist novel, ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ and J.D. Salinger’s confessional monologue, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’, interpret human experiences for us, as they give an insight into the anomalous, paradoxical and inconsistencies of the human experience. In both texts the protagonists are confronted with moral crisis’ that inevitably change their perspective on their world. Werner Pfennig is exposed to the meaningless brutality of the Nazi Youth regime in World War Two Europe which consequently warps his views on what’s right and wrong. Similarly, J.D. Salinger’s story of Holden Caufield which delves into the unknown, hostile world of adulthood filled with hypocrisies and corruption, in where Holden’s moral compass is tested. Ultimately, both texts celebrate the resilience and strength of the young, as both Werner and Holden overcome the desperate challenges of their times and find hope in the innocence and art of their own souls and the love they have for others.

The epic historical novel Doerr presents us with shows Werner’s character slowly erode as he spends time at Schulpforta, a National Political Institute of Education. The institution is a volatile and toxic environment; the sole purpose of its existence is to brainwash youth into becoming mindless killing machines with the only intent of serving the Reich. Bastian, a schoolmaster, is described as a grotesque brute, face scarred and “looks capable of severe and chronic violence.”, His job is to drive any ‘weakness’ away from the corps and does so with inhumane, dark military practices. We see the stripping away of basic human qualities that Werner used to possess, such as compassion, empathy and creativity through the sick and twisted regimes that he takes part in, in this institution. This is highlighted when Werner sees, first hand, what the institution can do to boys with such potential. His best friend, Frederick, is beaten to the point of retardation, “Frederick’s lip is curled and his upper teeth show and a string of drool swings from his chin and touches the paper. Werner, unable to bear it a second longer, calls for the maid.” it’s at this point Werner begins to wake up to the true insidiousness of what is occurring in the institution. He sees a bright boy with such potential who just wanted to do the right thing brutally assaulted to the point where he endures permanent brain damage. The audience also begins to notice that Werner blames himself for what happens to Frederick as he does nothing to stop the beatings or even stick up for him. Werner tries to numb these feelings of guilt by occupying himself with radio work, “Werner tries to lose himself in his work in Hauptmann’s lab”, as Frederick continues to be beaten by Bastian and the cadets. The audience gets a sense of guilt from Werner’s internal monologue as the novel progresses. He is haunted by his guilty conscience as his tracking of a radio transition leads them to a mother and a child, “…and inside the closet is a child sitting on her bottom with a bullet through her head. Her moon eyes are open and moist and her mouth is stretched back in an oval of surprise” Doerr uses this as a motif to communicate that Werner’s actions are beginning to weigh heavy on his conscience. The little girl’s presence is indelible as he is haunted by this figure over and over throughout the novel. To conclude, the novel centres around Werner’s degradation in what he used to be. This is done to communicate to the audience the futility of war and the ramifications it had on exceptional individuals

Holden Caufield narrates the story of “The Catcher in the Rye” and a melancholic and depressing tone is radiated off of his internal monologue. Holden is alienated from the world around him as he longs for a connection with a world full of ‘phonies’ and fakes. What lead him on this downward spiral is the death of his beloved brother, Allie, “He’s dead now. He got leukaemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946”. Similarly, to Schulpforta, Holden went to a school that was all about ‘moulding’ the boys that attended, “They don’t do any damn more moulding at Pencey than they do at any other school”. Holden is constantly hurt by the ‘adult world’ that he enters through morally incorrect people who look to take advantage of the young, troubled boy. Maurice, an elevator serviceman at a hotel, mislead Holden on the price of a prostitute and to get his money, “… he smacked me. I didn’t even try to get out of the way or duck or anything.” This is one of Holden’s first encounters with someone since coming from school. We see any sign of happiness slowly leave Holden and his mental state deteriorate and the only thing that seems to be on Holden’s mind is his own death, “what I really felt like, though, was committing suicide.” Holden’s desperation to find some connection leads him to calling any girl he knows or anyone willing to listen. In a hopeless attempt, he calls a girl he has known for a while, named Sally. The two-meet up to go watch a play, then go ice skating together. Holden is enjoying spending time with Sally, but his self-isolation ruins it as he irrationally says they should go move to a cavern in the middle of the woods, “You can’t just do something like that…we’re both practically children. And did you ever stop to think what you’d do if you didn’t get a job when your money ran out?”. Holden proceeds to ruin their encounter by saying “you give me a royal pain in the ass”, which completely subverts their relationship and Holden goes back to being completely alone and in a state of depression. This causes Holden to hit rock bottom and his hunger for a sense of belonging becomes crushing to the reader. His suicidal thoughts prevail and are extremely prominent at this time in the novel, “I’m sort of glad they’ve got the atomic bomb invented. If there’s ever another war, I’m going to sit right the hell on top of it, ill volunteer for it, I swear to god I will.” In addition to this, his thoughts become even more absurd and incoherent through each encounter he has with someone. In conclusion, the audience witnesses Holden’s mental state deteriorate to the point where he is institutionalised. This is a direct cause for his longing for connection but he isolates himself, thus, ruining any chance he has. His only ‘saving grace’ is the meaningful connection he finds in his sister, and the fortification he finds in literature....