Novel Excerpt & Reflection

Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
"Take most people, they're crazy about cars. They worry if they get a little scratch on them, and they're always talking about how many miles they get to a gallon, and if they get a brand-new car already they start thinking about trading it in for one that's even newer."

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Up until a certain age, most children are immune to the meaning of the word 'perfection.' They understand what it means to be bad at something, and generally they understand when they have done well, because they are rewarded in some form. However, the one thing most children will always understand (not because it is in their blood, but because it is something taught to them by society) is the constant desire to want more, and when they have been given what they want, they demand the newest, better version of what they're just received. This incessant appeal for 'more' not only introduces children with greed and materialism, but it also establishes values on perfection: they are taught that it isn't okay to take a moment and be pleased with exactly what they have, but instead that they must always aim for something better.

Although the quote from Catcher in the Rye was made in reference to Holden Caulfield's mistrust and general dislike for adults and their materialistic values, I believe that it runs unintentionally parallel alongside the theme of imperfection. Consumerism, a social order that entertains the desire to buy 'goods or services in even greater amounts' could easily be compared to the grouping of people who constantly seek a higher quality in everything they do. “Enoughism” a relatively new term first used by John Naish, is the idea that there comes a point where buying more things can decrease the quality of your life rather than add to it. This philosophy is similar to those that learn to be happy with themselves: they understand that no relationship, career or person can be entirely perfect and therefore learn to appreciate what they do have.

A lot of humans don't know how to be satisfied with the things and qualities they do possess, or feel as though everyone else is advancing at a faster pace and to a better future than they are. As a result, regardless of the fact that a failure can often be used as a learning tool, rather than something to be ashamed of, humans begin to fear imperfection and failure...