The Importance of Being Present - White Mike and Holden coping with Parental Absence

Exploring the complexities of adolescent identity, this paper compares the characters White Mike from Nick McDonell's "Twelve" and Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye." It examines their experiences with parental absence, the influence of substitute role models, and their shared feelings of alienation. Additionally, the paper analyzes the distinct stylistic devices employed by both authors to convey themes of parental neglect and the search for self amidst societal pressures.