We may not always agree with the ways of society, but in order to fit in we don't necessarily need to except the ways, but we need to cope with them. Holden Caulfield, in the novel Catcher in the Rye, is one of those people that has a hard time agreeing with and accepting society's ways. Holden does not seem to even try and cope with his different opinions, instead, he isolates himself. He is very lonely and hardly has any interest in trying to fit in. Holden goes to a boarding school, does not apply himself, gets bad grades, and is kicked out of the school. In the 1960's, it is very rare for kids to misbehave and resent their parents, and other adults, like this. He does not care though. Holden does what he wants to do, whether it means fitting in with society or not. Holden does not try to deal with the ways of society, in order not to seclude himself.
I, on the other hand, do agree with a lot of the ways of society, but not all. When I do disagree, I do my best to cope with and understand the ways of society. I prefer not to be secluded, and isolate myself, which is why I try to deal with the opinions in society.
Although, I think it is a good idea to include yourself in society, I also think it is sometimes necessary to separate yourself from the crowd and speak your thoughts when you feel unjust about something or you have ideas that may be good for society. Once in a while, someone has to step up, and speak for the rest of us to better society.
If we do not like the way society is then we should not have to cope with them. Holden, I think, does cope with his different opinions; he just does not like to tell people about those opinions. I agree Holden does not like to fit in, but at school he does not apply himself because he does not care and thinks it is a waste of his time to even be there. The story took place in the 1940’s, but you are right that it was rare for kids and adults to go against society. I feel Holden just does not know where he fits into society yet. Back then it was like you were a leper if you went against society, so that is why Holden kept most of his opinions to himself instead of say them out loud. Today it is not that weird if you go against what society says, so I feel Holden was just ahead of his time when it came to speaking out against society.
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