One thing that I noticed that was a common theme in both books was relationships. It is obvious that “Love in the Time of Cholera” is about relationships, but I believe that this theme is also in “Catcher in the Rye.” As Holden goes through this transition in his life he finds himself wanting to love someone, just like Florentino Ariza.
Holden keeps searching for a partner during his loneliness and depression. In just one week he tried to enjoy himself with over nine women. In “Catcher in the Rye” this theme is more about growing into real relationships with others than just finding women. Holden wants to have a relationship with a girl named Jane, but he is too nervous and inexperienced to even call her. This inexperience is what causes Holden to try to have a relationship with someone, even a Prostitute.
In Love in the Time of Cholera, Florentino is not trying to get women because he is inexperienced, but because he was rejected by the one whom he really loved. Florentino had many relationships throughout the book, but he always wanted to be with Fermina. The theme in this book was more about making up a relationship that he could have had.
In both books the main characters think about relationships a lot and they concentrate on the sexual side of that. While Florentino has had experience, Holden is trying to understand it by asking elders and friends that had bragged about having sex. I believe that this is one of few major themes that both of the books share along with, loneliness.
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