Comparison between ‘Cast Away Movie’ and ‘A Perfect Day for Bananafish’

The Cast Away movie and A Perfect Day for Bananafish are two publications that seem to have the same messages. To be specific, Cast Away refers to a 2000’s America survival film co-produced by Nicky Searcy, Helen Hunt, and starring Tom Hanks as well as being directed by Robert Zemeckis (Friedman 175). Conversely, this movie portrays FedEx workers who are stranded in uninhabited island following the plane crash that happens in the South Pacific where the cargo plane is used to rescue the victims of this unfortunate incidence (Salinger 23). Indeed, there are many similarities between the Cast Away movie and A Perfect Day for Bananafish is a context authored by J.D. Salinger, who published it on 31^st January 1948. 

In the first place, the above materials seem to have an isolation theme. In consideration of the work by Salinger, the isolation idea is explored in different forms as it is initially observed during the conversation of Muriel with her mother on the phone (Salinger 24). In this case, Muriel’s parents prefer to separate Seymour from the daughter through utilizing a technique of sending Muriel on a cruise alone as well as by making her remain at home during the holidays (Friedman 172). As a matter of fact, the above thing subjects this girl in seclusion since she opts to reside in a hotel room lonely after refuting her mother’s advice and concerns. 

In a like manner, the Cast Away contains the rawest form of isolation idea. In the illustration, Chuck Noland, the main character in this movies appears being marooned on an island after the aircraft crash. As a result, Chuck lives in this place for four years before finding the way out of the island. While staying in this island, the psyche of this character is deteriorating slowly, a thing that indicates the manner into which the isolation can affect numerous individuals within the community (Friedman 176). For example, Chuck is considered being confused because of indulging himself into strange things in order to withstand the loneliness feelings.  According to Ryder, Chuck’s method of coping up with isolation is to befriend a volleyball player named Wilson. Generally, the segregation is observed in its polar opposites in this movie, hence, it clips the psychological suffering of an over-crowded mind as well as identifying an enlightened reality via pure way of thinking. 

Moreover, the futile search for innocence is another theme that occurs in between the work by Salinger and Nicky. In consideration of Salinger’s context, the above idea is clearly seen where Seymour hovers awkwardly in between the childhood and adult sexuality world. Seymour is confused because of his experiences about the fight as well as suffering emanating from the psychological distress. According to the researchers, the simple and innocent exists in the environment that is free from greediness and sorrow, but in this case, Muriel seems being fixated on class and appearances matter (Salinger 24). Owing to the above information, Sybil is capable of interacting with Seymour and calm him. However, through communicating in the language spoken by Sybil, Seymour anticipate to reconnect and restore the innocent and childlike state through claiming that kids and their world appear to hold the redemption possibility. Comparatively, the aspect of searching for innocence is also experienced in the Cast Away where the individuals involved in the plane crash including Cluck tries to find several means of entrapping themselves from unfavorable situations (Friedman 178). For instance, it occurs that these victims start to sense a state of rejuvenation by seeing the cargo plane that is used to rescue them from this disastrous condition.

In addition, both Cast Away and the context by Salinger still show the impossibility of restoration. In the first place, Salinger uses Seymour to portray the impracticality of proving innocence where this character appears being emotionally separated from Muriel, who is more physically active. At this point, Muriel and Seymour stay in a small hotel room within the restaurant and they encounter lots of challenges, which make them feel low (Salinger 24). For instance, Seymour at a given point chooses to be attending parties in order to find a chance of retreating and playing piano on the beach. The above incidence shows that Seymour does not have childhood guiltlessness. According to Ryder, Cast Away movie also features Check being subjected to hardships together with other individuals involved in the plane crash and because of staying in the island for many years without rescue, they seem to lack hope of going to their original homes. Genuinely, the above case shows that both authors have clearly used their characters to create a theme of hopelessness.

To conclude, irrespective of Cast Away and ‘A Perfect Day for Bananafish’ works having distinctive settings, they still have commonness in various areas. In an illustration, Salinger, and author of the above film are confirmed to have come with the same themes revolving on isolation, the impossibility of restoration and futile search for innocence. Indeed, the above works are essential for individuals dealing with depression and suffering based on loneliness among various life-based challenges.

Works Cited

Friedman, Ted. “Cast Away and the Contradictions of Product Placement.” Journal of Promotion Management, vol. 10, no.1-2, 2004, pp.171-183.

Ryder. “Cast Away.” 1 October 2017. YouTube. Online. 10 December 2018. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4my8ocwfU44>.

Salinger, Jerome David. “A Perfect Day for Bananafish.” The New Yorker, vol. 31, 1948, pp. 21-25.