Catcher In The Rye Argumentative Essay

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Holden tries to preserve his own innocence, and the innocence of others by not letting go of childhood memories and through his desire to suspend time. Holden views the adult world as corrupt and full of phonies. He admires childhood because of how it is free of corruption, and untouched by the adult world. IN order to preserve his own innocence Holden often attaches himself to childhood memories. The Museum of NAtural History is one of Holden’s favourite places . He mentions that his grade one teacher Miss. Aigletinger used to take his class there every saturday. While writing about the museum he says, “The best thing, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was” (121). This shows how Holden wants to preserve his innocence because he expresses how he likes how everything stayed the

same in the museum.

Which is the kind of world he wants to live in. Holden expresses his desire to preserve the innocence of others when his sister Phoebe tells Holden that he doesn't like anything, and that he has no ambitions of what he wants to be when he is older. Holden then explains that he wants to be the catcher in the rye. He says that he imagines little children playing on top of a hill and that his job is to protect children from falling of the hill. This symbolizes catching children from losing their innocence and falling into the adult world. Holden tells Phoebe, “I know it crazy, but that is the only thing I’d like to be” (172). This unrealistic desire is contributes to why Holden is struggling to transition from adolescence to adulthood. Critics of the novel have said Holden would like to suspend time stating, “Holden's desire to protect children shows his desire for suspending time, for inhabiting a space of young people conserved endlessly” (Yahya 3). Not letting go of childhood memories or accepting the harsh realities of adulthood are damaging when transitioning from

adolescence to adulthood.

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Holden's unresolved grief over the death of his younger brother Allie makes it difficult for him to move on with his life. Allie died of leukemia when he was only eleven years old. His death is a traumatic experience for Holden because they were very close to each other. Holden writes that his brother was the most intelligent member of his family, and that he is the nicest kid he has ever known. It is especially hard for Holden to deal with his passing because Allie was one of the few people the Holden thought wasn't fake he still had his innocence from the adult world. When talking about the day his brother passed away he says, “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist” (39). This shows the anger Holden felt when his brother dies. Allie was very young when he died and Holden feels it is unfair that he is taken away at such a young age. When Holden’s sister Phoebe asks him if there is anything in the world that he likes, Holden replies that he likes his brother Allies. Phoebe then tell him that he always says that and that Allie is dead. Holden responds by saying, “Just because somebody’s dead, you don't just stop liking them, especially if they are nicer than the people you know that are alive”(171). This shows that Holden is still very upset by the death of his brother. He has never had anybody to talk to to help resolve the grief he has over Allie’s death. This shows that even after all the time that has passed since Allie has died Holden still has not dealt with his problem. Critics of The Catcher in the Rye believe that Holden clings to the memory of his brother stating,”Since Allie dies before the society finds time to change him into a "docile-body", Holden clings to Allie as the only figure who can rescue him” (Dashti 5). Unresolved grief, and the death of a family member is very impactful towards the growth of a person, this is the case for Holden.

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Holden’s sister Phoebe helps him deal with his struggle transitioning from adolescence to adulthood because she symbolizes the pure innocent childhood world. Holden has always had difficulty forming meaningful relationships with other people. His sister is the only person he feels he can speak to. After trying to find an adult to talk to during his time in New York, he eventually decides he is better of going home and talking to his sister. When he returns home he decides to read her notebook. Holden enjoys this very much saying, “I sat there at D.B.’s desk and read the whole damn notebook, and I can read some kids notebook. Phoebe’s or anybodies all day and all night long”(161). Phoebe’s notebook represents the truth free from the corruption of the adult world. He enjoys the fact that all that is written in it is her thoughts, making it very genuine and not phony.