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Essay Comparing The Catcher In The Rye And The Bell Jar

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One of the main struggles that both main characters are faced with is depression. They both suffer from loss and not fitting in, that they end up becoming depressed and shielding out the rest of the world. This tends to happen a lot in teens not just back then but even today. Without the help, it can lead to not only them hurting themselves but others as well. Back in 1999 there was a mass school shooting at Columbine done by two depressed students that ended up killing several kids and ultimately themselves. The boys were known for doing such things as “...drawing swastikas on their clothes, and struck on Adolf Hitler's birthday, singling out minorities and "jocks" for death.” (Bergen) Not only did they single out minorities they ended up finding out from other students that “...The gunmen "were out to get revenge on the school for being mistreated." (Bergen) Like in the bell jar, esther has suicidal thoughts and felt as if she didn't belong in the world, that no one liked her, and therefore she tried to kill herself. Without the love and support that most kids receive it caused her to go on a downward spiral just like the two boys in the columbine …show more content…

Without being provided guidance through these confusing times, teenager sometimes resort to violence when they are feeling unheard. For instance, the Columbine Shooting occurred when two struggling teens who were outcasted ended up harming not only themselves, but others as well. We all will go through a stage of loss or rebellion but we need to learn to speak up and ask for help. Holden and Esther may have not had the happiest of endings, but they showed us that becoming an adult is a crucial time for a kid that will end up shaping the rest of their life. Everyone will experience this in a different way but will overall end up having a better understanding for who they are and who they want to

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