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The catcher in the rye essay 3 pages long with quotes from the novel
Quotes from the catcher in the rye showing change in holden
Catcher in the rye analysis introduction to english literary studies
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1.) Allusion is utilized in this quote to show a reference to the popular 1850s novel by Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, where the title character's melancholy journey starts at birth.
2.) One possible reason the author of Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger, chose to use this literary term was to show the contrast between the main character, Holden Caulfield, and other book characters. Another likely reason Salinger used this quote was to allude to the popular character, David Copperfield, in an attempt to catch the reader's interest at the beginning of the novel.
3.) The Catcher in the Rye has a few major overall themes, one of them being isolation. This quote supports the theme of isolation by separating Holden from different individuals.
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4.) - I think the author is trying to prove through Holden's point of view just how many phonies are at his school.
- I really like this part in the novel because it uses so much detail to describe James Castle's death.
1.) Irony is being utilized in this quote because Holden seems to be very concerned about preserving the innocence of children, yet he is legally a child himself who smokes, drinks, and seems to be obsessed with discussing sexual activities.
2.) I believe J. D. Salinger wrote this quote in the novel to express how much Holden cares about his sister Phoebe's wellbeing, whilst being highly contradictory.
3.) This quote found on page 201 is extremely compatible with a major theme of Catcher in the Rye: protecting adolescents from the harsh world of adulthood.
4.) - I really loved the idea of Holden getting upset about the profanity on the wall because it shows he likes the idea of innocence, because he has lost his due to all the troubles that have occurred in his lifetime.
-This event in the novel is of significance because it displays just how much Holden is stuck in between a child's world and the world of an
Part of the irony in Holden’s story is that physically, he looks mature, but mentally, he is still very much a child: “I act quite young for my age, sometimes. I was sixteen then, and I’m seventeen now … I’m six foot two and a half and I have gray hair ” (9). There is no middle ground, adolescence, for Holden. He can only be an adult, physically, or a child, mentally. Holden’s history teacher, Mr. Spencer, tries to appeal to him by using a metaphor: “Life is a game, boy.
4) I think the author is trying to say that Holden feels very negatively about his life.
Page 38 is a typical example of how Holden values the qualities of purity and innocence. He attempts to throw a snowball against a car and fire hydrant, but quickly refrains from doing so, “the fact that he does not throw the snowball is “an attempt to preserve innocence (graham 2007:39). I strongly agree with this statement, as Holden’s fear of change is highlighted throughout the novel, which in turn paints a clear picture to the reader of Holden’s deepest desire, which is to preserve the innocence of childhood that gets hopelessly lost in the“phony” world of adulthood. Holden’s constant referral to adults as being “phony” is rather ironic as he says that one “wouldn’t” know If one was “being phony” this clearly means that he himself does not realize weather or not he himself is phony.
Holden’s childhood was far from ideal, with Allie dying, his dysfunctional parents and the revelation that he had some “perverty” stuff happen to him when he was a kid. Due to this, he isn't ready to step into adulthood and leave his childhood behind. This is why Holden is mostly alienated from adults and connects more to the innocence of children like the girl at the park and his sister, Phoebe. However, Holden is disillusioned with both adulthood and childhood. He already knows how it feels to be an adult; drinking alcohol, being independent, living by himself and caring for Phoebe, but isn’t ready to immerse himself in it.
Catcher in the Rye is one of the most famous books in American literature. Written by J. D. Salinger, it captures the epitome of adolescence through Salinger’s infamous anti-hero, Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield learns about himself and his negative tendencies, and realizes that if he does not do something to change his perspective, he may end up like his acquaintance James Castle whom he met at Elkton Hills. Holden tries to find help to mend his outlook on life through Mr. Antolini so he does not end up like James, who did not want to face the problems he created for himself. This is proven by the similarities between James Castle and Holden, Mr. Antolini’s willingness to try and help Holden, and Holden’s future being forecasted by James.
Agreeing with Smith was Stern, saying "the book should be read again." There are many reasons for accepting this comment. Peterson, for example, felt that Holden Caulfield's "spirit is intact," while Stern enjoyed Phoebe's good personality. Phoebe was important because she "preserve[d] Holden's innocence" (Jones). In the end, she keeps Holden at home with his family - after all, who knows what Holden could be up to, living by himself? He has been "trying to live up to his height, to drink with men, to understand mature sex and why he is still a virgin at his age" (Smith 13). It is because of this personality, that Salinger is able to "make the reader chuckle" (Breit). Phoebe is also important to Holden because he "finds a human warmth in [her]" (Engle).
The form of diction used in The Catcher in the Rye is a topic on which many people are strongly opinionated. Because the narrator speaks solely in the vernacular, the novel is ripe with vulgar language. Most of this language is used to characterize Holden, the protagonist and narrator, as a typical American teenager living in the late 1940s or early 1950s, but some of it is utilized to convey Salinger’s theme of innocence versus corruption. When Holden is walking through his sister Phoebe’s school, he sees a scrawl on the wall saying “Fuck you.” He imagines the writing was etched by “some perverty bum that’d sneaked in the school late at night to take a leak or something” (260-61). Again in the museum, Holden encounters another such sign. Both the school and the museum are places he identifies with his childhood, but they have been perverted by the corruption of the world. He is concerned for the children who will inevitably see these signs and be told what they mean by “some dirty kid…all cockeyed, naturally” (260), spoiling the children’s innocence. This is just one more step towards adulthood and corruption. He is disgusted by the people in the world, saying “You can’t ever find a place that’s nice and peaceful, because there isn’t any. You think there is, but once you get there, when you’re not looking, somebody’ll sneak up and write ‘Fuck yo...
Since Holden relies on his isolation to sustain his detachment from the world and to keep intact a level of self-protection, he frequently sabotages his own efforts to end his seclusion. When Mr. Spencer explains that “life is a game that one plays according to rules” Holden reveals that he feels imprisoned on the “other side of life” where there are no “hot-shots”. Here, Mr. Spencer is lecturing Holden on his failed attempts at schooling and illuminating key aspects of Holden’s character. After hearing this advice from Mr. Spencer, Holden immediately goes on the defensive and internalizes his thoughts of not belonging in this world. This event shows Holden’s failed attempts at trying to find his way in this “phony” world that he feels is against him and leaves him feeling alone and victimized.
In the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger develops Holden Caulfield as a morally ambiguous character. Throughout the book, Salinger speaks as Holden and introduces him as a callous and subjective individual. However, the author permits the reader to be within Holden’s mind, giving the audience an alternative perspective of Holden’s true character. Without the obscurity of Holden’s personality, the work would lack a crucial element. As the protagonist, Holden serves as an equivocal adolescent that is relatable for the reader.
When one does not stand for something, one is bound to fall for anything. Because Holden lacked paternal figures in his life or a greater influence he took the idea of innocence as his mantra. His need to find an identity led him to find a role model in children, which led him to believe permanent innocence would mean happiness and sanity. He held on to his idea and sought out to find innocence in the dimmest of places. His intoxication with this idea and his disappointing encounters with adults ensure him that nothing but corruption is found once a child grows up. He rejected the idea of adulthood and created further problems for himself. In the process of this well-intentioned plan, Holden loses the little of himself he had. He is left standing only with a hunger for innocence. Because, to him, innocence is all and love is innocence.
When Phoebe asks Holden what he wants to do with his life he replied. This reveals Holden’s fantasy of an idealistic childhood and his role as the guardian of innocence. Preventing children from “going over the cliff” and losing their innocence is his way of vicariously protecting himself from growing up as well. Holden acknowledges that this is “crazy,” yet he cannot come up with a different lifestyle because he struggles to see the world for how it truly is, and fears not knowing what might happen next. Holden’s “catcher in the rye” fantasy reflects his innocence, his belief in a pure, uncorrupted youth, and his desire to protect it. This fantasy also represents his disconnection from reality, as he thinks he can stop the process of growing up, yet he
.... Holden believes that adult life is boring, which depresses him, and this is one of his greatest fears and insecurities.
Sandock, Mollie. "The Catcher in the Rye: Overview." Reference Guide to American Literature. Ed. Jim Kamp. 3rd ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 1994. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 10 Jan. 2014. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CH1420007023&v =2.1&u=avlr&it=r&p=LitRG&sw=w&asid=b3f0341dcebdc63d26de6b40db210a30
Growing up and becoming mature can be an intimidating experience; it is difficult to let go of one’s childhood and embrace the adult world. For some people, this transition from youthfulness to maturity can be much more difficult than for others. These people often try to hold on to their childhood as long as they can. Unfortunately, life is not so simple. One cannot spend their entire life running from the responsibilities and hardships of adulthood because they will eventually have to accept the fact that they have a role in society that they must fulfill as a responsible, mature individual. The novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger follows the endeavours of Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old teenage boy who faces a point in his life where he must make the transition from childhood to adulthood. In an attempt to retain his own childhood, he begins hoping to stop other young children from growing up and losing their innocence as well. As indicated by the title, “The Catcher in the Rye” is a book that explores a theme involving the preservation of innocence, especially of children. It is a story about a boy who is far too hesitant to grow up, and feels the need to ensure that no one else around him has to grow up either. His own fear of maturity and growing up is what leads to Holden’s desire to become a “catcher in the rye” so he can save innocent children from becoming part of the “phoniness” of the adult world.
Holden relates to a child on certain things like patience and his choice of words. He tends to repeat certain things. Things that he wants to remind himself about. He is almost afraid to forget what he is saying. Also, the way he talks to people when he is in an argument has the traits of a child. He says, “I told him to go wash his own moron face- which was a pretty childish thing to say, but I was mad as hell.” (Pg 45). He admits that it was childish after he says it instead of thinking about what he was about to