Adolescence is a difficult period in life and it depicted differently in both texts, Ferris Buller's Day Off and The Catcher in the Rye. This is achieved through the use of character choice, language, point of view and the sequencing of events. Hughes and Salinger use these techniques to reveal the themes of adolescence as a period of change, the extra responsibility involved, relationships and self-esteem.

All adolescents encounter the inevitability of change. Ferris Buller recognises this and repeatedly said that, " Life moves pretty fast..." Holden also recognises change, but in children, by attempting to rub out the f*** in Phoebe's school. With both protagonists acknowledging change, there is a contrasting approach. Ferris, after Cameron discovers the reading on the speedometer, talks about his future and accepts the problems to be confronted such as Sloane being in school for another year. In contrast, Holden suggests, in the conversation...