What are some similarities between The Catcher in the Rye and Pleasantville?

One similarity between both The Catcher in the Rye and Pleasantville is how both works address conformity in society.

The society that Holden sees in The Catcher in the Rye is a conformist one. It is driven by the need for people to be more alike than different. Holden perceives it as a world of "phonies." Beneath the veneer of politeness and consumerism, Holden sees inauthenticity. Holden's response is to rail against it and define himself...

One similarity between both The Catcher in the Rye and Pleasantville is how both works address conformity in society.

The society that Holden sees in The Catcher in the Rye is a conformist one. It is driven by the need for people to be more alike than different. Holden perceives it as a world of "phonies." Beneath the veneer of politeness and consumerism, Holden sees inauthenticity. Holden's response is to rail against it and define himself in stark contrast to it. For example, Holden rejects the idea that Pencey Prep creates "splendid, clear-thinking young men." Rather, he sees the headmaster as a "phony slob" and has nothing but disdain for people like Stradlater. Holden rejects social conformity in all its forms. As a result, the novel clearly argues that individuals should take an active stance against conformity by voicing their opposition to it.

The black and white world of Pleasantville is also rooted in conformity. It exists in how George calls through the door when he enters, "Honey, I'm home!" each and every day and in how everyone has a particular social role that must be fulfilled. As David/Bud and Jennifer/Mary Sue become more embedded in the town, their non-conformity becomes more pronounced on both personal and social levels. Jennifer/Mary Sue breaks free from what is expected of her when she wants to advance her education. David/Bud politically represents this when he challenges a social structure that argues everything must be "pleasant." As a result, the colorized world reflects the rise of non-conformist behavior. In both works, the valorization of individual voice is the response to socially conformist notions of the good.