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How is holden changing in the catcher in the rye
Development of Holden's character in the Catcher in the Rye
How is holden changing in the catcher in the rye
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The Character Analysis of Holden Caulfield
The Catcher in the Rye, Published in 1951 by J.D. Salinger, was a revolutionary piece of literary work in many aspects. Along with his use of profane language, uncommon during the 1950s, Salinger develops an exceedingly self-influenced character, in many regards, named Holden Caulfield. Holden was an extremely controversial character during the 1950s because of the rebellious and anti-social attitudes he held towards family values and society during a time when family and moral values were highly regarded. Holden is often irrational and confused about his purpose in life and has no direction; he does not enjoy anything in life while he constantly criticizes others and defies authority. Although
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he is a troubled teenager, Holden exempts a great deal of sympathy for those in need, and would go to great lengths to help anyone in need, especially children. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden, now 17, tells the reader about an interesting three days he spent in New York City just before his sixteenth Christmas. After flunking out of Pencey Prep, his third time flunking out of school, Holden decides to leave for Christmas break three days early and stay in the city. Holden’s experiences during these three days give readers the impression he was undergoing a mental breakdown at the time. Holden’s character provokes a deeper thinking by the reader, one that questions our existence and the structure of society. The Catcher in the Rye was J.D. Salinger’s best known novel, and one of his only published novels. Salinger was born in New York City on January 1, 1919 and began writing short stories in secondary school before being drafted into the army in 1942. Salinger’s life experiences influence his character, Holden Caulfield, who appears in many of Salinger’s short stories and novellas, not merely The Catcher in the Rye. Except for managing the fencing team and excelling only in literature, Salinger and Holden had contradictory personalities during adolescence. While Holden attempts rejects his role in society, Salinger went to extreme lengths to conform to school and society during his childhood, this creates an underlying difference in the comparison of Salinger and Holden. Salinger’s reclusive behavior in his adult life suggests he no longer attempted to conform to society; it is possible he used this projection to create the character of Holden Caulfield. Salinger published his last piece of literature in 1965, but received unwanted attention in the 1980’s during a legal battle with biographer Ian Hamilton. Salinger died on January 17, 2010 of natural causes, but The Catcher in the Rye will live on as one of the most controversial novels in American literature (“J.D. Salinger Biography”). Holden’s irrational behavior in the novel suggests to the reader that Holden is confused about the meaning of his life. A prime example of his irrationality is when he decides to hitchhike out west, leave his family and everything behind him, and get a job on a horse ranch. Claiming the only thing that stopped him from leaving was Phoebe, his young sister, Holden appears to be disoriented from reality. This disorientation highlights the idea that Holden has no direction in life and even questions the importance of family in society. Critics depict Holden as being extremely antisocial claiming that he “separates himself from his environment and society as a whole” (“The Catcher in the Rye” 120). Holden’s aspiration to leave everyone he knows and loves behind reinforces this idea. While walking the street on his final day in New York, Holden is overcome with a feeling that he is disappearing further and further with each curb he steps off. Holden’s feeling are revealed through his narrative, “Every time I came to the end of a block and stepped off the goddam curb, I had this feeling that I’d never get to the other side of the street. I thought I’d just go down, down, down, and nobody’d ever see me again” (Salinger 256). This feeling of sheer unimportance fuels his unreasonable decision to run away, in which Holden reveals just sentences later, “I decided I’d go away. I decided I’d never go home again and I’d never go away to another school again. I decided I’d just see old Phoebe and sort of say goodbye to her and all, and give her back her Christmas dough, and then I’d start hitchhiking my way out west” (Salinger 257). Although he ultimately does not actually run away, Holden’s thoughts help illustrate the extent of his irrationality, confusion on life, and insanity. Another example of Holden’s lack of direction and purpose in life is the fact that Holden refuses to put forth effort at school. Holden is unable to understand the importance of education, his immaturity in this aspect proposes that Holden has no goals or real plan for his future. Even though The Catcher in Rye’s ending leaves Holden’s receives psychological treatment for his insanity somewhere on the west coast. It is plausible that after receiving treatment Holden ultimately gains a direction and purpose in life, in which he captures the true meaning of life. Holden’s life, as he sees it, is not only directionless and meaningless; he also criticizes everyone and everything while enjoying practically nothing. Holden exhibits a “negative viewpoint on people and events” (French 7). Holden’s critical personality relates to his inability to find something or someone he enjoys, “he looks on people with a distaste bordering disgust (“The Catcher in the Rye” 120). Holden even notices the negative viewpoint he has on society, as one critic notes, “by the time of the present action in the novel, the schizophrenic, or ‘phoniness,’ of American society, which Holden does rightly sense, has become the correlative and secondary cause of his own exaggerated schizoid tendencies. And so, with a dim awareness of his sickness, but not its primary sources, Holden frequently refers to himself as a ‘madman,’ while all occasions in American life inform against him and conspire to drive him ‘crazy,’ as he says” (Vanderbilt 299). Holden uses the word “Phony” to describe most people he has encountered, his way of identifying hypocrisy in the world. This viewpoint on people as “phony” makes it tough for Holden to form relationships with people, especially girls. After getting in an argument on a date, Holden frankly tells his date Sally, “You give me a royal pain in the ass, if you want to know the truth” (Salinger 173). Sally left the date crying without forgiving Holden. This illustrates the narrow mindedness of Holden. He simply cannot enjoy anything because he is too busy criticizing everyone that is around him. Holden’s failure at school is a result of the lack of effort he puts forth, as well as the defiance he shows toward authority figures such as teachers. After being asked why he had flunked out of multiple schools by a teacher, Holden responded, “I didn’t exactly flunk out or anything, I just quit, sort of” (Salinger 18). Holden claims everyone at school is “phony” and that is the reason he cannot enjoy it. Holden does not comes to grips with his pessimistic thinking until his little sister Phoebe declares to him, “You don’t like any schools. You don’t like a million thing. You don’t!” (Salinger 220). After Holden fails to procure anything he likes besides his dead brother Allie, he tells Phoebe he could not be a lawyer because they are “phony.” Holden’s pessimistic view on life and his constant criticism of others holds him back from enjoying anything at all, contributing immensely to his mental breakdown. It is easy to let Holden’s negative characteristics overshadow his positive characteristics, but Holden greatly enjoys helping people if they are in trouble, especially little kids. Holden’s diverse personality gave Salinger positive recognition by critics, “Holden can suffer and at the same time be funny, profane, and innocent” (Rollins 85). Even though Holden looks at most of the world with strong disdain, he finds it surprisingly pleasurable to help people. After being told he enjoys nothing in life by Phoebe, Holden thinks hard about what he would like to be. He struggles finding an answer until he finally tells Phoebe, “I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around – nobody big I mean – except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff – I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I‘d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be. I know it’s crazy.” (Salinger 224-225). Holden finally realizes his true calling in life. This presents the reader with a feeling of promise for Holden’s character, giving Holden hope to finally grasp his life and begin a meaningful like. The impact Holden Caulfield had on the American youth after The Catcher in the Rye’s publication was noted by many, “Critic and editor Robert Gutwillin, in a New Your Times Book Review retrospective written five years after Catcher’s publication, spoke for many when he noted the ‘shock and thrill of recognition’ (39) that Holden Caulfield evoked in readers, particularly youthful one” (Rollins 81).
Religious, social, and educational institutions were alerted by Holden’s use of profanity and his negative view of contemporary Americans, “reviews such as T. Morris Longstreth’s in the Christian Science Monitor declared Catcher a danger to young people’ (Rollin 82-83). Holden’s use of vulgar language, smoking, drinking, lying, undermining of family values, and blasphemy, among other things, led to The Catcher in the Rye being the most censored book in American libraries from 1961 to 1982. Although Holden is an irrational, critical, pessimistic character searching for a direction and meaning in life, he demonstrates that even if someone is struggling in life, they are capable of finding something they enjoy, as well their self. Readers of The Catcher in the Rye often felt a kind of pity for Holden, a pity originating because of his negative view on society and people as “phony.” Hoping that he gains a positive perspective on life, few readers were disappointed in the novel’s ending because Holden ultimately decides against running away in order to preserve the possibilities for his litter sister Phoebe’s future. Holden is a morally corrupt teenager who commits many wrongs, but he teaches the youth of America that no matter what the circumstances, people can always reach out and help other
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In the novel, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is an example of a prosaic rich adolescent boy,with a pedestrian set of problems, but a psychoanalysis reveals that Holden has a plethora of atypical internal conflicts. Internal conflicts that other students at Pencey, such as Stradlater and Ackley, would not normally experience.
Jerome David Salinger’s only novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is based on the life events shaping main character, Holden Caulfield, into the troubled teen that is telling the story in 1950. The theme of the story is one of emotional disconnection felt by the alienated teenagers of this time period. The quote, “ I didn’t know anyone there that was splendid and clear thinking and all” (Salinger 4) sets the tone that Holden cannot find a connection with anyone around him and that he is on a lonely endeavor in pursuit of identity, acceptance and legitimacy. The trials and failures that Holden faces on his journey to find himself in total shed light on Holden’s archenemy, himself.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger is a popular novel that was originally published in the 1950’s. In the book, Salinger explores various themes through the main character Holden and his interactions with others. Some of these themes include, alienation, loss and betrayal. Holden constantly feels betrayed throughout the novel by several people, including his roommate, teacher, and sister.
At first glance, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye simply tells the story of Holden Caulfield, who is often characterized as annoying and whiny by the people around him. The anti-hero frequently speaks on impulse, making quick and often inaccurate observations of others. Holden’s immature and overly critical attitude turns off those he encounters, who are displeased with how callow he is. However, what these characters fail to understand is that there is actually a sort of sophistication behind Holden’s reasoning. In fact, throughout the novel, Holden disguises his maturity through outward displays of childishness.
The novel The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger depicts a journey of a young man named Holden Caulfield where he encounters many of life’s challenges. As Holden has been bouncing between schools all his life, he just recently got kicked out of his current one: Pencey Prep. He has trouble focusing in school and has experienced many traumatic events in his life, like the death of his little brother Allie. Many believe the novel should be banned, but there is an underlying message Holden is trying to communicate. Throughout Holden's journey many feel that there were ban-worthy moments, but the traits he demonstrates are most powerful: compassion, maturity/coming of age and intelligence.
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.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is an enthralling and captivating novel about a boy and his struggle with life. The teenage boy ,Holden, is in turmoil with school, loneliness, and finding his place in the world. The author J.D. Salinger examines the many sides of behavior and moral dilemma of many characters throughout the novel. The author develops three distinct character types for Holden the confused and struggling teenage boy, Ackley, a peculiar boy without many friends, and Phoebe, a funny and kindhearted young girl.
Over the years, members of the literary community have critiqued just about every author they could get their pen on. One of the most popular novels to be critiqued has been J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. In favorable critiques, Holden Caulfield is a good guy stuck in a bad world. He is trying to make the best of his life, though ultimately losing that battle. Whereas he aims at stability and truth, the adult world cannot survive without suspense and lies. It is a testament to his innocence and decent spirit that Holden would place the safety of children as a goal in his lifetime. This serves to only re-iterate the fact that Holden is a sympathetic character, a person of high moral values who is too weak to pick himself up from a difficult situation.
The Catcher in the Rye is a novel by J.D. Salinger that is told from the point of view of Holden Caulfield. Holden is a young man struggling with growing up and facing the adult world. As a misunderstood teenager, Holden learns to deal with the deception of the adult world and the consequences of his choices.
Since its publication in 1951, The Catcher In the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger has served as a conflagration for debate and extreme controversy. Although the novel has been the target of scornful criticism, it has also been the topic of wide discussion. The novel portrays the life of sixteen year old, Holden Caufield. Currently in psychiatric care, Holden recalls what happened to him last Christmas. At the beginning of his story, Holden is a student at Pencey Prep School. Having been expelled for failing four out of his five classes, Holden leaves school and spends 72-hours in New York City before returning home. There, Holden encounters new ideas, people, and experiences. Holden's psychological battle within himself serves as the tool that uncovers the coming-of-age novel's underlying themes of teen angst, depression, and the disingenuous nature of society. The novel tackles issues of blatant profanity, teenage sex, and other erratic behavior. Such issues have supplemented the controversial nature of the book and in turn, have sparked the question of whether or not this book should be banned. The novel, The Catcher In the Rye, should not be banned from inclusion in the literature courses taught at the high school level.
Holden would often mention about how lonely and depressed he was, “It was against my principles and all, but I was feeling so depressed I didn’t even think. That’s the whole trouble. When you’re feeling very depressed, you can’t even think.” (Salinger 91). This quote shows that because of Holden’s isolation, he becomes so depressed his morals bend and becomes more corrupted. Holden often repeats himself when he wants to emphasize something important. J.D Salinger’s tone sounds like a typical teenager using many slang and vulgar words such as, “chrissake” and “goddam.” Today, the lexicon Salinger used seems normal since the literary period was pre-modernism. However, when it was first published in the 1950’s it was offensive, caused a lot of controversy, and was even banned in several countries. The Catcher in the Rye was first banned after its publication for nontraditional or unpopular viewpoints, which many other classic writers faced such as William Shakespeare and Mark Twain. The book is known for being obscene and profane that teachers have been fired for allowing their students to read it. However, with Salinger’s coming-of-age-feel, it is still a popular book and is read in schools
Lies, failure, depression, and loneliness are only some of the aspects that Holden Caulfield goes through in the novel The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger. Salinger reflects Holden’s character through his own childhood experiences. Salinger admitted in a 1953 interview that "My boyhood was very much the same as that of the boy in the book.… [I]t was a great relief telling people about it” (Wikipedia). Thus, the book is somewhat the life story of J.D. Salinger as a reckless seventeen-year-old who lives in New York City and goes through awful hardships after his expulsion and departure from an elite prep school. Holden, the protagonist in this novel, is created as a depressed, cynical, and isolated character and he expresses this attitude through his dialogue, tone, and diction.
J.D. Salinger, the author of The Catcher in the Rye, uses the behaviour of protagonist Holden Caulfield to shape his personality in the way he alienates himself from the rest of the world. Holden alienates himself from the society he lives in, his relationships with others and also the relationship he has with himself. Holden struggles to cope with the fact that eventually he will have to grow up and so will everyone around him. Holden see’s the world not being perfect as a huge problem that he alone has to fix because everyone else is too much of a ‘phony’ to do it. The novel explores Holden’s weekend after he got kicked out of his fourth school, Pency Prep, and the struggles he faces with alienating himself.
J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is a remarkable book that gives readers a unique and perhaps gloomy perspective of the 1950's through Holden Caulfield, a cynical and peculiar teenager. Through The Catcher in the Rye Salinger describes important aspects of the 1950's. Salinger emphasizes several key characteristics of the 50's and criticizes them through Holden. In addition, Holden Caulfield is a very interesting character with several traits that put him at odds with society.
J.D. Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye successful in many respects, from its popularity among adolescent readers, to its 29 weeks spent on the New York Times Bestseller List. One part of The Catcher in the Rye that was not successful is its main character, Holden Caulfield. Holden mentions at a certain point in the novel that he aspires to be a “Catcher in the Rye”. Whether he achieved his goal is controversial amongst many readers. I believe that in the end, Holden was not successful in becoming, the “Catcher in the Rye” because he cannot change the the lives of others by protecting their innocence.