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JD Salinger's 1951 text, Catcher in the Rye and Stephen Chbosky's 2012 film, Perks of Being a Wallflower demonstrate how the context in which a text is written exemplifies the values of the time through the themes of trauma and individuality. These themes allow for the exploration of the texts respective contexts and how this context shapes the values of members of society. The texts expose the idea that societies perception of trauma perpetuates its cyclical effect on an individual’s mental health and both composers empower their intended audience to embrace their individuality as part of a wider society. These insights allow us to understand how the values are affected by the societal context in which they were written. Societies perception …show more content…
In the late 40's, the number of people institutionalised for mental health issues peaked, this was caused due to the strict conformity based ideals of the time. The symbolism of the red hunting cap highlights his trauma, its red colour symbolises Allie's red hair. Holden only really refers to the cap when he is reflecting on trauma, such as when talking about Allie's baseball mitt, or when looking in the mirror after being punched by Stradlater, this shows how he uses the hat as protection. Holden's attitude towards societies opinions and judgement is also reflected in the hat, although his unique style, he still wears it "I took my red hunting hat… and put it on—I didn't give a damn how I looked". His red hunting cap then becomes a metaphor for his protection form not only his trauma but also It is his protection from societies perception of trauma. Similar to this in Perks of Being A Wallflower, Sam the reoccurring motif of as Charlies "guardian angel" throughout the text also reflects the idea of protection from societies judgement. The 1990’s was a lot more tolerable time, the idea of grief counselling evolved and it was encouraged to acknowledge grief and its stages. Sam is …show more content…
The texts comment on how society prolongs the effects of trauma and how individuality can affect one’s place and sense of belonging in
First and foremost, Holden gifted Phoebe with his red hunting hat as a demonstration of his need to protect her “Then I took my hunting hat out of my coat pocket and gave it to her. She likes those kind of crazy hats. She didn’t want to take it, but I made her” (180). In this quote Holden and Phoebe are dancing around, and Phoebe feels like Holden is acting crazy yet she refrains from judging him. Instead Phoebe wants to support him. To Holden, Phoebe is in no way phony, and in handing over his hunting hat he is trying to protect her, and in doing so he is giving up the protection from himself. Holden’s mission to defend Phoebe is rooted in wanting to protect her innocence’s, and keeping her from becoming phony like the rest of society. Moreover, Phoebe also looks to Holden to protect her not just the other way around “Then what she did- it damn near killed me- she reached in my coat pocket and took out my red hunting hat and put it on my head” (212). In Phoebe, giving Holden back his protective hat, she is forcing Holden to watch over her. In order for Holden to protect his sister’s innocence, he will be forced to give up his alienation and be realistic. Holden’s loss of innocence is his driving power to shield Phoebe from the realities of life. The exchange of the red hunting hat from Holden to Phoebe to Phoebe to Holden is the
One of the best known novels in English-speaking countries, J.D Salinger’s Catcher In The Rye deals with Holden Caulfield’s past trauma which is the triggering factor in his depression, anxiety and alienation. Holden tells an unnamed person what has happened in the three days prior to his mental breakdown. Through Holden’s relatable characteristics and Salinger’s narrative treatment, the book continues to engage audiences across generations.
American Literature is widely known for possessing themes of disillusionment. Faulkner, Harper Lee, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway dominate this category of literature. However, the most influential piece of American Literature is arguably J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. What makes this piece of art stand so far out from any other work of literature is the attributes that make this novel so relatable. The source of this raw, real emotion that completely captivates the reader is Salinger himself. The Catcher in the Rye ‘s main character Holden Caulfield is undeniably Salinger. This work of fiction nearly resembles an autobiography. J.D. Salinger uses his novel to express his disillusionment through motifs, pathos, and symbols.
The distance that Holden makes sure to keep in place isolates him from others and manifests in curious actions and mannerisms. One example could be the red hunting hat, which advertises his uniqueness and also gives him a sense of protection. Holden explains to Ackley that his red hat is not a “deer shooting hat” but a “people shooting hat”. Out of all the mentions of the red hat in the novel, this is the most enlightening. Holden uses the hat as a sign of individuality and independence; this hat serves as another way Holden is able to isolate himself from the rest of the world. The red hat serves as symbol for Holden’s desperate desire for independence and his distaste for conformity. Although Holden does not kill anyone in the novel, he does “shoot people” in his own cynical way by spending all of his time and energy belittling the people around
Holden’s Borderline Personality Disorder is caused by trauma and neglect during his childhood, and separation from family, all mostly circulating around the death of his younger brother, Allie (“Mayo Clinic”). Holden had a very traumatic childhood, because of the death Allie, who he constantly conveys his love and devotion to his dead brother. Holden, often does not seem to grasp that Allie is dead, and seems to bring out Allie’s spirit in objects. The red hunting cap, reminds Holden of Allie, because it is also red like Allie’s hair, Holden also carries this hat with him through the novel (Salinger 17). Another thing Holden carries with him that reminds him of Allie is Allie’s baseball mitten, Holden admits “to have it with me, in my suitcase” (39). This baseball mitten, seems to be the only thing of Allie’s that Holden owns, and reminds him fondly of who and how Allie was as a person, Holden admitting that it was in his suitcase, tells us that he travels with it and that it is a ...
The symbolism throughout the novel illustrates Holden’s isolation from the adult world. In the beginning of the Chapter Three, Holden returns to his dorm room where he finds his pestering roommate, Ackley. After seeing Holden’s red hunting hat, which he purchased in New York, Ackley is fascinated by it and tells Holden that “Up home [he] wears a hat like that to shoot deer in,” (22) Holden then takes the red hunting hat off of Ackleys’ head and closes one eye as if he is trying to shoot it. “This is a people shooting hat,” he says (22). It is obvious from the start of the novel that Holden’s red hat symbolizes his mark of individuality and independence. In this scene, the audience sees how his desire for independence is connected to the feeling of alienation and the bitterness Holden feels for the people in society. Of course, Holden will not actually sh...
Protected by a cocoon of naiveté, Holden Caulfield, the principal character in the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, therapeutically relates his lonely 24 hour stay in downtown New York city, experiencing the "phony" adult world while dealing with the death of his innocent younger brother. Through this well-developed teenage character, JD Salinger, uses simple language and dialogue to outline many of the complex underlying problems haunting adolescents. With a unique beginning and ending, and an original look at our new society, The Catcher in the Rye is understood and appreciated on multiple levels of comprehension. The book provides new insights and a fresh view of the world in which adolescents live.
Holden Caulfield, the main protagonist in the book “Catcher in the Rye”, is usually described as an uncouth, impolite, inappropriate character, who has little to no respect for anyone but himself. However, after I completed the book, I realized that while Holden did a poor job of establishing his positive characteristics to the readers, his behavior often proved he was a respectable, honest human being that was often misjudged. My opinion is that Holden possessed contrasting characteristics that were both undesirable and admirable qualities. I believe that because the book was written in the first person point of view, Holden is often judged based on his thoughts and not on his actions. Throughout the entire book the reader was given a perspective
J.D Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye is perhaps the most intriguing book in American Literature. The Catcher in the Rye’s theme of teenage rebellion has made it a focus in classrooms around the world. The author leaves much of the book for the readers own interpretation. Many people, especially teenage boys have related to the main character's thoughts and feelings, allowing this book to touch and influence those who have read it. Not only does this book reflect its time period, but it greatly influence an entire generation. This book exposes the social changes that occurred in the 1950’s. A culture that was once known for prudence quickly transformed into a new rebellious society.
In Chapter 3 Holden returns to his dorm room after being pestered by Ackley. Of all the places in the novel this is where Holden discusses his hat, the most famous and recognizabl...
Some people feel all alone in this world, with no direction to follow but their empty loneliness. The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D Salinger, follows a sixteen-year-old boy, Holden Caulfield, who despises society and calls everyone a “phony.” Holden can be seen as a delinquent who smokes tobacco, drinks alcohol, and gets expelled from a prestigious boarding school. This coming-of-age book follows the themes of isolation, innocence, and corrupted maturity which is influenced from the author's life and modernism, and is shown through the setting, symbolism, and diction.
This is in J. D. Salinger's novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," Mr. Spencer lectures Holden on why he has been expelled from Pencey and about how life is like a game and should be played by the rules that have been made for it. Here, Salinger's use of a metaphor to describe life as a game suggests that not everyone is given the same advantages to succeed. Holden himself comes from a wealthy family but refuses to conform to society and the role of his social class and play the game "according to the rules. " This suggests a theme in the novel of nonconformity which relates back to when Salinger first wrote "The Catcher in the Rye." Individualism beginning in the 1960's turned into a cultural movement for young people and is expressed through Holden's defiance in the game of life.
As I sat waiting downstairs at Pencey for Stradlater to come down from his dorm, I started to think about my first date. It was a very awkward time and I am not even sure if I would call it a date. It was with Holden Caulfield, a strange boy that is about my age. He was a sweet boy but he went a little to fast in our relationship than I was expecting.
The Catcher in the Rye¬ and Igby goes down, written by JD Salinger and Burr Steers respectively, explore the issue of non-conformity among youth. As Steers’ text is an appropriation of Salinger’s, similar ideas and opinions are presented, however they are affected by both context and medium in the way that they are conveyed, and the composers view on the issues. Despite this, their purpose remains the same, and that is to show the positive and negative sides of non-conformism on the mental and physical health of contemporary youth. The issues used to convey this purpose are conformity, growing up and relationships, however these are all intertwined throughout the two texts.
While societal attitudes attitudes may change over time, the challenges associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood remain constant. The ideas of individuality, alienation and loss of innocence fortify the theme of coming of age across the texts The Catcher in the Rye and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The Catcher in the Rye, a bildungsroman novel written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, focuses on teenager Holden Caulfield’s transition from childhood to adulthood in 1950’s America, whereas the film The Perks of Being a Wallflower directed by Stephen Chbosky in 2012 follows teenager Charlie experiencing a similar transition in 1990’s America. Despite their varying contexts, these ideas are presented in both texts through the use the