In the first half of "The Moustache" by Robert Cormier, the protagonist, a teenage boy named Michael, grapples with the complexities of identity and perception, particularly how he is perceived by others due to his physical appearance and the choices he makes. A strong connection can be drawn between Michael's experience and the struggles of adolescent identity formation depicted in another coming-of-age story, such as "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.
Both Michael and Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of "The Catcher in the Rye," confront societal expectations and the pressures that come with growing up. Michael's decision to grow a moustache represents a desire to assert his individuality and mark a transition into adulthood, much like Holden's rejection of the "phoniness" of adult society as he navigates his own tumultuous feelings about growing up. Each character becomes aware of how their external changes affect their relationships and how others perceive them, which ultimately influences their internal struggles with self-identity and belonging.
This connection highlights the universal theme of adolescence as a time of self-discovery fraught with challenges, where every choice, even something as simple as growing a moustache, carries significant emotional weight and reflects deeper issues of self-image and acceptance. Both stories illustrate the journey of understanding oneself against the backdrop of societal expectations and the confusion that often accompanies this pivotal stage of life.