In the Catcher In The Rye by J.D Sallinger, Holden Caulfield is paralyzed between moving into adulthood and preserving his childhood. This theme is relevant in the lives of teenagers around the world who are also making the transition to adulthood. Thus, the book struck a powerful impact on readers. Holden desires the glossed elements of adult life. A common motif throughout the book is Holden going through a state of sexual confusion. For example, after seeing another couple being intimate, he thinks: “I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw”(34). He decides he’s in need of a similar experience and attempts to convince a girl to meet up with him. Yet, when she leaves an opportunity …show more content…
‘Tonight’s the only time I can make it’”(36). Another example, is when when Holden agrees to pay for a prostitute. But, once she removes her dress he tells another lie stating: “Do you mind cutting it out?” I said. “I’m not in the mood, I just told you. I just had an operation”(53). Holden’s characteristic of lying his way out of sex, reflects how unprepared he is for the real experience, despite believing he’s a ‘sex maniac’. This motif is relevant to teenagers in real life, as often when growing up, losing your virginity is glorified. Some may wait for marriage because of the idea of preservation for the one you love. Hence, Holden’s confusion, was a relatable aspect of the novel. Yet, Holden clings to the concept of never growing up. Another motif is the idea of perseverance. When visiting the museum he states: “The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move. [...] The only thing that would be different would be you”(103). Clearly, he appreciates the museum because regardless of what changes in his life, the museum remains the same. Then, there is his discomfort with children seeing swears: …show more content…
Thus, the children learning the meanings would be a step toward them growing up, resulting in Holden’s distaste. The idea of keeping things the same is also prevalent in our society. While some may be excited with the idea of moving out and starting a new future, to others, the change could be a genuine fear. In aspect, the novel manages to touch hearts once more. Others may say a prominent theme in the novel is Holden’s isolation from societies insincerity instead. But, his idea is mislead. Holden’s on the sidelines because despite trying to fit in with people his age, he can’t grasp their perceptions. For example, when giving reasons for his lack of sexual experience he states: “The trouble with me is, I stop. Most guys don't”(50). Holden believes this is a problem of his, since it disconnects him from other guys he knows. Thus, his isolation is more of his own confusion with society, rather his issue with it. Meanwhile, the theme of growing up connects directly to the book’s concept as a whole. When asked about his dreams, Holden says : “I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. [...] What
phonies and all he hates. By being in the stage where he is, he manages to avoid change, control his world with his own hands, yet. creates a paradox between what he is, and what he wants to be. Possibly the main reason why Holden doesn’t want to become an adult. is his perception of ”phoniness” and hypocrisy surrounding adult.
...from outside disturbances and distractions which is a reason to alienate himself. This shapes Holden in a sense to know how to act responsibly and to being thoughtful of others as he is trying to protect children from the adult word, which he sees as “phony”.
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.
3) This quote reflects the overall theme because it is one of many quotes in the book that show Holden's fear of growing up. For example, he always describes adults as "phony" and children as innocent.
as, Holden acted out and pretended to be people so that you could deal with the pain he
Holden's decisions such as smoking, drinking constantly, buying a prostitute, and staying out late at night show his attempts to face
Holden on multiple occasion attempts to call various people, including Jane Gallagher, Sally Hayes, and Carl Luce. The fact that Holden after calling, almost immediately, makes up an excuse to hang up shows his inability to hold close relationship.This is seen very often throughout the novel though his hatred of Ackley, his fight with Stradlater, and his altercation with Sally. Difficulty holding close relationships is a symptom of PTSD one that Holden exemplifies quite clearly(Smith). These quotes also help to support the notion of his distancing from his past, as all of the phone calls he makes are to old
But, there are lots of reasons why that is completely untrue, for example, Holden keeps making illogical and strange decisions like asking a stripper over just after talking about how he was in love with Jane and how he wanted to protect people’s youth and innocence, “…I kept walking around the room, waiting for this prostitute to show up. I kept hoping she’d be good looking. I didn’t care too much, though. I sort of just wanted to get it over with.”(104) People may claim that Holden has many strong beliefs, but how good are any of them if he doesn’t ever follow them. It shows how rather than being sincere with his rules, Holden would rather disappoint not only his schools and his parents, but himself as well.
To begin with, Holden’s love for the innocence and purity of childhood makes him very hesitant to transition into an adult life. Generally, he finds children to be straightforward, easygoing, and simply pure in every way. This is because they always say what they mean, and never try to set a false façade for...
Another theme is how hard growing up is. Holden deals with the conflicts of intimacy, change and work
Even Gerald Rosen states that, "It is important to note here that Holden's rejection of an adult role is not a case of sour grapes. He believes he will succeed and it is the successful life he fears"(101).
told you. I just had an operation”(53). Holden’s characteristic of lying his way out of sex, reflected his
While alleged sex addictions have existed for many years, they have only recently been accepted as valid excuses for sexual deviancy. Attitudes toward sex addiction in the past offer a stark contrast to how it is viewed today, as the constantly medicalizing society insists on putting everything under the technical microscope. Sex addiction is commonly associated with a person’s inability to control his sexual behavior, implying an abnormally high sex drive and obsession with sex which have negative effects on his personal life (MedicineNet 2007, 1). Rather than breaking down the science behind the disorder, a customary practice in today’s medicalized society, older attitudes towards sex addiction placed it under the same light as alcoholism, where a lack of control and unwillin...
...uses sex as a cholera sufferer would use medicine to endure pain. In his mind, that's the only way to help him cope his insurmountable heartache and endure his desire for the woman who is the source of all his suffering.
Holden's Supreme Test is to accept growing up. He does not want to grow up but