Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby from the novel The Great Gatsby are similar to the character Holden Caulfield in the novel The Catcher in the Rye because these men share similar romantic characteristics. Nick and Gatsby share some of the same complex ideals as Holden Caulfield by idolizing the preservation of innocence and maintaining the paradox emotions of idealism, sorrow, and hope; even when the world lets them down.

Gatsby and Holden share similar affection towards the woman that they love. Both Gatsby and Holden maintain such a strong sense of romanticism that they idolize certain traits that the women they love have. Holden remembers how Jane would always keep her kings in the back row because they looked good. Whereas, Gatsby adores Daisy's charming voice. However, both Holden and Gatsby's idolization is slowly diminished when Jane is taken in the back seat of a car with Stradlater...