Holden Caulfield Reaction

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Recommended: The catcher in the rye literary criticism

My initial reaction toward The Catcher in the Rye, was more of confusion in the beginning and certain sections of the book. The book seemed as though it shifted off topic for a few moments and then gets to the main topic a page or two later. For example Holden would do something in the book that reminded him of his brother Allie, which then leads to him telling a story about Allie, then finally he’ll get back to present day without the reader realizing. Overall, I personally enjoyed the book. It made me laugh many of times and I believe Holden Caulfield is a character with a conflicting personality, who admires his little sister, Phoebe, very much.
#2: What’s up with Holden?
Holden Caulfield is a teenage boy who moves from one school to another, …show more content…

And the not knowing of where to go, when he doesn't fit in anywhere.

The gold ring symbolizes growing up, the reaching of maturity. Holden says “the thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but its bad if you say anything to them.” When Caulfield inferred that you have to let them reach for it, even though they might get hurt by doing it, he actually means that growing up is what a kid eventually have to achieve. Which is something Phobe and himself have to do , and no one can protect them from the cruel obstacles that comes with maturing.

#10: What
 commentary
 does 
Catcher 
make 
on 
American 
cultural 
or
 societal 
values?
American societal values are condemned within the context of the main character, Holden Caulfield. Post WWII America experienced and defined the American Dream, but all Holden was able to see was materialism and phonies, and yet, his most ardent wish is to escape until the money runs out.In the end, we see Holden as a non-conformist..... he wants to break away from the norm rather than be a "yes man," constantly worried about the approval of those around him. He fights the American dream, and has no wish to be a part of

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