Ashley Gamell
Task III Essay

Is honesty important? An individual's beliefs about honesty can shape their attitude towards life. A person's attitude determines how he or she copes with life's demands. In the poem"Myself" by Edgar Guest, the individual is striving to find honesty with himself, and consequently gain success through others true respect and his own view of life. On the other hand, Holden Caulfield, a character in J.D.Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, demands utter honesty of others, and while he honestly assesses his actions and problems. However, he is unable to be honest with himself, and therefore has an negative and insecure attitude towards life. The two works of literature have very different tones. While the character in "Myself" rhymes in a determined, clear resolution to his goals and intentions, Holden lingers on troubling details, following his stream of consciousness without direction, much as he wanders sadly through life. These two characters represent the effects of attitudes on how one handles and experiences life, emphasized through literary devices that are particular to an individual's outlook.

In "Myself", a poem written with a rhyming scheme and stanzas, Edgar Guest brings to life a pledge to determination and truth. "Myself" is written in the first person and in an honest, unaffected, yet commanding tone. The chosen literary style reflects the theme of honesty and the great power of the character's resignation. The character's goal is to be "self-respecting and conscience free." His belief is that if he can begin with his own self-esteem, he can "deserve all men's respect," and be accepting of his future. The idea of acceptance, a theme throughout the poem, guarantees that what is to come will not be disappointing. This character's voice is strong and knowing, and clearly narrates the idea that if he can be who he really is, he will have no regrets, refusing to "hate myself for the thing's I've done." Thus, by opening up to himself in the present moment, demanding that he hides nothing from his person, and accepting his actions as his responsibility, the future is bright and sure. The security of the speaker's attitude secures the goodness of all future choices, as they will be based on the speaker's true self. Ready to accept himself, the character is equipped to step up to life's challenges.

The author of The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, utilizes different tools to create a completely different character who demonstrates the importance of this same relationship. The book is narrated in first person by the main character, Holden Caulfield.. The major part of the novel does not deal with Holden's present condition but stays fastened to his past experiences. Like Holden, the book stays wrapped up in the past mistakes and misfortunes, making no promising intentions for the future clear. In answer to his psychoanalyst's questions about his efforts for the future, Holden replies, "how do you know what you're going to do until you do it?" (p 213) The author creates a narration that, while recalling most facts, is obviously tainted by hyperbole, slang, and sarcasm. These devices are noticeably missing from the honest narration of "Myself". Holden's exaggerations throughout the novel serve as clues in of themselves that Holden has not accepted the pain in his past, particularly the trauma he experienced with the death of his brother, which remains somewhat unexplored. The source of Holden's pain and the reality of his depression he keeps hidden to himself. On the other hand, the character in "Myself" pledges to keep no secrets from himself and know himself well. When Holden's sister questions him, stating that he doesn't like anything, he responds with, "I do! That's where you're wrong- that's exactly where you're wrong! Why the hell do you have to say that?" (p 169) Holden has clearly been unable to honestly ask himself this question, forcing himself into a self-awareness which is false, hazy, and lacks self-examination. When Holden's sister rants about his denial of Allie's death, Holden shouts, "I know he's dead! Don't you think I know that?" (p 171) Here, also, is another example of Holden's dishonesty with himself. Without coming to terms with his condition and accepting the pain of Allie's death and it's impacts on his personality, Holden has no hope for the future, only resent for the past. Clearly, Holden has failed where the character in "Myslef" has chosen to begin, self-examination, honesty, and self-acceptance. As a result of Holden's unsure attitude, he lacks the other character's determination and consequent assurance of a confident future.

Holden and the character in "Myself" exhibit great contrast. Not only do the authors' decisions in style and format illustrations of their opposite attitudes, but the honesty or dishonesty of the characters towards themselves illustrate the source of their attitudes. The character in "Myself", who has come to terms with a positive, truthful attitude towards himself, looks forward towards a positive future. However, Holden, who has tried to escape his pain and thereby overlooked self-acceptance, dwells on the past and can make no promises as to how he will cope with the decisions and challenges that await him. These characters teach us that honesty is the beginning of the road to success, and that first and foremost, you must forgive yourself.