Ferris Bueller and Catcher in the Rye Comparative Essay

Ferris Bueller and Catcher in the Rye – Comparative Essay Salinger’s 1951 novel, â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye†, and John Hughes’ 1987 teenage comedy film â€Å"Ferris Bueller’s Day Off†, both reflect the lives of teenagers in a time span of nearly 40 years. The two authors successfully convey society’s values on materialism and education in the two different eras using language and a variety of techniques. These values have affected both Holden Caufield and Ferris Bueller, the former negatively and the latter positively, as will now be discussed. Salinger was born in New York in 1919 and wrote The Catcher in the Rye in 1951, and the values in the book reflected values in America at that time. A major value which society followed during that era†¦show more content†¦Unlike Holden, Ferris is depicted as a character who accepts the values of society in order to accomplish what he wants. Hughes’ successfully uses camera techniques such as low camera angles and strong music to show the confidence Ferris possesses. Ferris breaks through the fourth wall when he explains to viewers how to act sick and that it is his â€Å"final chance to have a good time†, showing acceptance for the changes in the future. What Ferris says, such as â€Å"If I’m going to be busted, it’s not going to be by a guy like him† and â€Å"So I can have a fruitful life† reveals his arrogance and disrespect for the values of society. By setting the movie in Chicago, Hughes reflects on the values of society. The wide aerial shot of Chicago and then scenes of modern music and high rise buildings, and the camera shot from the top as Ferris goes to the Sears Tower shows people all rushing to work, but no faces are seen, which represents the lacking of individuality as they all try to aim for the highest in a city full of materialism. As teenagers start to become rebellious after WWII, the private education system is seen as a corrupt system. The education system is introduced via the Pencey Prep motto â€Å"Since1888 we have been moulding boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men.† On the same advertisement, Holden talks about the â€Å"guy on the horse playing polo† and says that he has never seen a single