Holden Caulfield
(The Catcher In the Rye)
“I really don’t feel like I fit in at this prep school, but Mom and Dad have been trying so hard to find me one that’s a good fit. I should really just hold my tongue on this one and suck it up, I’m sure I’m starting to annoy everyone at this point, and I hate that. Sure, the other guys at this school all seem pretty fake and phony to me, but I recognize that adolescence is a tough time and we’re all trying to figure out who we are through trial and error. We’ll get there eventually.”
Adam Trask
(East Of Eden)
“My son Cal and I are such completely different people, half the time I don’t even know where he’s coming from! That’s why I so value the completely open communication we share as a result of our strong, loving bond. Just because we’re different doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate and respect one another’s individuality without taking it personally.”
Jay Gatsby
(The Great Gatsby)
“I’m still really hung up on my ex, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to bother her about it. The fact that I’m no longer with her has no effect on my respect for her feelings, and I still place tremendous value on the mutual trust we cultivated during our time together, and there’s no way I’d do anything to jeopardize that. It wouldn’t be fair to keep her from finding closure and moving on just because I’m struggling with it. I really hope she’s doing well, but I don’t have any way of knowing, since I’ve moved halfway across the state from her to ensure that we are both able to grow and move on in our separate spaces.”
Stanley Kowalski
(A Streetcar Named Desire)
“My wife’s sister is coming to town for a visit later today. I’ve never met her before, so I’m going to make sure to change out of my sweaty work clothes before I politely introduce myself to her — first impressions really matter to me. I value my wife’s and my relationship too much to mess this up, so even though she’s warned me that her sister can be kind of a handful, I’m determined to be at my most tolerant and accommodating for the duration of her visit.”
Jack
(Lord Of the Flies)
“Ralph and I really weren’t seeing eye-to-eye at the pig decapitating tonight, but he probably just needs some space. I’ll check in with him in the morning and see if there’s anything we need to bring out into the open and discuss to clear the air. This stranded-on-a-deserted-island stuff is pretty rough, honest, and uninhibited communication really is the key to keeping everyone from chasing each other through a burning forest on a quest to spill serious blood.”
Gene Forrester
(A Separate Peace)
“My best friend, Finny, just broke ANOTHER school athletic record! I was so beyond excited to cheer him on from the sidelines. I love uplifting and supporting my friend, his success is my success.”
Nathan Price
(The Poisonwood Bible)
“I was dead set on embarking upon this journey of proselytization to Africa, but the rest of my family seems pretty reluctant about it, so I’ve decided to cancel the whole thing. Nothing is more important to me than doing what’s best for my kids, especially during such formative years. Plus, I’m very attuned to my wife’s emotions, and even though she’d never say anything, the fact that she’s been so supportive of all my endeavors despite her obvious lack of enthusiasm for them only makes me want to do right by her all the more. Life is really all about making sacrifices for the ones you love.”