Every teenager goes through the struggles of wanting to be liked and not wanting to become prepared for the real world. In the book The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D Salinger, a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield is a person that struggles in life by the fact that he has been kicked out of several schools, and also the school Holden is currently going to Pencey prep school. One reason he gets kicked out of school is because Holden grades are terrible. So he goes on this journey to find who he is and to make himself feel better about who he is and trying to become the guy that he wants to be honest and humble in life. This novel still has a place for high school students of the 21st century for the reason that they can relate with Holden …show more content…
on the struggles of going through pre adulthood. The major disfavor teenagers face is growing up and getting themselves ready for the adult world. In the novel, Holden does not want to grow up and the struggles he faces on preparing for the adult world after his teen years, people can connect with Holden on the level that they do not want to have to get ready to become an adult and that sometimes they just want to fool around, have a good time, and not think about their consequences of doing so. Holden’s feeling about how he deals with trying to grow up makes people think “its sympathetic understanding of adolescence and its fierce if alienated sense of morality and distrust of the adult world” and notably “the novel struck a nerve in cold war America and quickly attained cult status, especially among the young” (McGrath). So people are saying that especially during the Cold War people could relate to how Holden felt on growing up and becoming mature and the struggles he had by trying to do so. This is significant because it provides that people in the Cold War could understand how Holden was feeling and the way he felt about growing up, but also people today can still have the same feelings that Holden felt going through his teens, and preparing to become an adult because they know how frightening and scary it is. Then all of sudden have to do everything without their parents help, this shows that students these days can definitely feel the same emotions Holden felt on not wanting to grow up. So Jay Parini is a writer and an academic, he is recognized as a leading inventor in the style of writing biographical fiction, and has gotten several awards for his different novels, what Paraini is saying is that he felt the same way Holden felt and that it “seems more “relevant” than ever because the feeling that the adult world was hypocritical, even “phony.” I believed that firmly, at 21.
I wanted genuineness. I didn’t want all those “stupid” adults telling me how to dress, wear my hair, or act with my peers” (Parini). He has the same beliefs that Holden had about becoming adult that it is bogus and people should not be able to tell you what to look like, what to wear and how to communicate with the people you are around. So after reading what Parnini wrote and looking at his picture, he seems to be a lot older then a teenager. He was probably writing about his younger days and how he felt becoming a young adult and the connection he had with Holden. Even though Parnini is older and not a teenager anymore he is trying to get across that teenagers today can still have the same feelings he had and how he shared a connection with Holden that they both did not want to become adults. This shows that teens today are still connected with Holden as well on the fact that teenagers do not what to grow up and be told what to do and how to look as well. All of a sudden out of nowhere Holden got this urge to horse around to do a wrestle hold on …show more content…
Stradlater while he was shaving, so he yelled “cut it out, Holden, for chrissake! Stradlater said. He didn’t feel like like horsing around. He was shaving and all. “Wuddaya wanna make me do cut my goddamn head off” (Salinger 30). Holden does not know why, but unexpectedly he just wanted to fool around with Stradlater and give him wrestle hold, but Stradlater did not notice that Holden was going to give him a choke hold and got angry with him because Stradlater had a razor in his hand and was shaving his face and thought Holden was going to hurt him badly. So Salinger showing that Holden was being very immature and did not think before his actions and almost hurt Stadleter very badly and every teenager these days has their weak moments of being careless just like Holden in the previous quote. They can relate to wanting to fool around just for the fun of it and not being mature and thinking about the consequences that could happen from the choices they make. The message is that students can relate to what Holden feels on a daily basis about how terrifying it is to become mature and to also become an adult. Teenagers in their adolescent years can feel extremely alone and not feel like they have someone to lean on that truly understands them.
The students can relate with Holden on the degree that they have had times in their lives where they could not connect with people at school or other activities and it creates emotional conflict with them feeling all alone and misunderstood. The universe is always developing in tiny ways but the major things in life seem to remain the same and especially in generations of hopelessness of not finding connections with people. There is no refusal in the emotion of feeling completely lonely and misconceived (Dougan). Through time, the insignificant ways of life is evolving while the larger things in people's life spans are staying the same, and there are periods in life where people can not connect with one another. Also people can not look the other way of feeling ostracized, so this makes people feel like no one can understand them at all. This is meaningful because teenagers can associate with this statement by the fact that they would have at one point in their life feel no connection with others like Holden felt at Pencey Prep school. From this it can make teens feel that nobody is there for them and can truly understand them as a person, so this can cause the emotion of being alone. So Holden is on the fencing team and they were coming back to school after their match and “the whole team ostracized me the whole way back on the train”
(salinger 3). Holden and his teammates on the fencing team were driving back from their game and his teammates decided that they were going to exclude him and pretend that he is not on the bus with them. Holden is feeling left out because his teammates are acting like he does not exist. Teenagers today can connect with how Holden is feeling and going through, because teenagers experience the students that are mean to them and act like they are not there. This can make a person very lonely just how Holden feels on his fencing team. Holden is tired of staying at Pencey Prep school any longer so he decides “all of a sudden, what I’d really do, I’d get the hell out of Pencey right that same night and all. I mean not wait till Wednesday or anything. I just didn’t want to hang around anymore. It made me too sad and lonesome” (Salinger 51). Holden can not take it anymore at his fancy and preppy school so he makes the decision to leave the school early because there is nothing here for him and it only brings him bitterness and melancholy. This is purposeful for the reason that pubescents can correlate with Holden on wanting to get out or drop out of something that does not make them happy for the reason they are not making friends with anyone. This makes them feel that they do not have somebody there for them to make things better and fun. The significance of this is that students can connect on the level with Holden. Sometimes students do not feel like they fit into certain situations and they just want to leave it behind. Also that they feel alone in the world and do not have that companion that is going to be there to make sure they are doing alright. All in all this publication should have a right to be shown to teengers currently going to high school now on account of they can understand what Holden was going through during his teen years and the obstacles it brings along. The main reasons why teengers can connect to this book is because they acknowledge what Holden is feeling on not desiring to get prepared for the adult world and wanting to stay a child because it is not as scary and kids do not have that much responsibility. Also they don’t have to think about the ramifications of their actions. Adolescent’s can identify with Holden on feeling out place and alone and this leads them on not having someone there for them, and will understand them fully as a person. Overall students can conassicate with Holden on how hard it is during pre adulthood and someone can learn that it even though during your adolescent years, it may be difficult but that it will be ok and come out on the other side feeling and doing great. Teengers should work hard and get past the their daily struggles and not turn to partying and having a good time because it is only going to make your life harder when you become adult. Do not turn to drugs even if as person feel really lonely and think it’s going to make life better because in the end it’s only going to hurt the person more.
Holden Caulfield, the teenage protagonist of Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, struggles with having to enter the adult world. Holden leaves school early and stays in New York by himself until he is ready to return home. Holden wants to be individual, yet he also wants to fit in and not grow up. The author uses symbolism to represent Holden’s internal struggle.
Holden is not just abnormal, he has problems that other teenagers, including the students at Pencey, experience going through adolescence. An example of this is Holden's jealousy towards Stradlater when he finds out he is going on a date with Jane Gallagher, “Boy,was I getting nervous” (42). Every teenager has bouts of jealously especially about the opposite sex, and Holden is no different. Holden's rebellious nature, to an extent, is typical for a teenage boy. His rebellious nature of smoking when it is not allowed, “You weren't allowed to smoke in the dorm...I went right on smoking like a madman.” (41-42). Holden is also anxious about change, which again to an extent is normal, “Do you happen to know where they go, the ducks...”(60), and he has the right to be; change,especially during adolescence, is a terrifying but exciting ride into the unknown, and similar to other adolescents Holden is afraid but intrigued about the unknown.
Holden’s endless journey begins when he received the call when he is expelled from Pencey Prep because of his low grades. Holden starts out as a college student that is damaged deep down his heart. The world before his journey was full of phonies as he commented, “Also at the threshold, the initiate will encounter a helper” (Ariane Publications 9). The helper usually leads the main character into the essential path before any accomplishments. In this condition, Holden’s former History teacher Mr. Spencer takes the role. He asks Holden,” Do you feel absolutely no concern for your future, boy?” (Salinger 20). He warns Holden about the difficulties that are waiting for him ahead but also pushed Holden forward to the journey. Even though Holden did refuse the journey by lingering at school after he got the expel letter. Nevertheless, the talk with Mr. Spencer may have aff...
The first and most obvious characteristic found in most teens, including Holden, would be the desire for independence. Throughout the novel, Holden is not once found wishing to have his parents help in any way. He has practically lived his entire life in dorms at prestigious schools, and has learned quite well how to be on his own. This tendency of teenagers took place in even in ancient history, where the freshly developed teen opts to leave the cave and hunt for is own food. Every teenager tries, in his or her own way, to be independent. Instead of admitting to ones parents of a wrongful deed, the teen tries covering up the mistake or avoiding it in hopes that they won't get in any trouble. They feel that they have enough intelligence to think through a problem without going to their parents for assistance. When Holden hears the news that he has been expelled from Pency, he concludes that his parents would not know of this for a few days. Therefore, he would wait from Saturday all the way to Wednesday, let his parents "get it and thoroughly digest it", and then face the consequences, which will more than likely be less severe after his parents calmed down. He states on page fifty-one, "I didn't want to be around when they first got it. My mother gets very hysterical. She's not too bad after she gets something thoroughly digested, though." In taking the independent route, Holden does not look for sympathy or help from either of his parents.
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.
The Catcher in the Rye is about a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield who doesn’t exactly fit in with his society. We know he doesn’t fit it because in the first scene Holden decides not to attend his school’s football game, which most people attend. Holden is a very opinionated person who criticizes most things. Hold did not belong in the 1940’s idea of a perfect society. But, would Holden Caulfield fit in to today’s society? Holden Caulfield would be more critical of today’s society. Holden would have many more prejudices today, but would still be accepted into today’s society because of a diversified society from the 1950’s to the 2010’s.
We see during the novel that Holden wants to be able to protect innocence in the world, however by the end of the story he lets go of that desire. This is a point of growth for Holden. He finds that it is impossible and unnecessary to keep all the innocence in the world. While with Phoebe Holden says, “I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye...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...That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye” (173). In this moment Holden wants to be able to preserve all the youth and innocence in the world. He doesn’t accept that kids have to grow and change and that they can’t stay innocent forever. Later on in the story when Holden is with Phoebe at a carousel again he thinks, “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the golden ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it’s bad if you say anything to them.” At the end of the novel Holden realizes and comes to terms with the fact that kids grow and lose their innocence. He moves from his want to be the “catcher in the rye” to...
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.
...one of us faces the struggles of growing up. We can either complain and rant and blame everyone else, or we can stay positive and try our best to rise above the challenges. Holden showed me how we can keep grumbling and keep whining, but that is not going to make the situation better. We should not let our hardships and challenges defeat us, but rather we should conquer our challenges. It is so much better if we stay positive in facing our challenges than if we just complain and whine about our hardships. Holden, despite his bitterness, is a character that has surprisingly inspired me to be more positive in facing my life’s challenges. After reading this novel, I really hope that the ‘Holdens’ of today will realize that being pessimistic and isolated is not cool; I hope they will be able to grow up someday and face their challenges in a more hopeful, positive way;
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.
...ut the exact flaw in his life that is holding him back from realizing his true potential in life. “you don't like anything thats happening” (p.g 169). At this point in the book Holden has been kicked out of Pencey prep, and comes home to phoebe while his parents aren't there hoping to find something he can carry on his journey out. Before he does anything he sees phoebe. Holden tells Phoebe that the school is full of “phoneys” and that the teachers are where he mostly got the idea of them being phoney. This quote from phoebe is basically telling Holden that he has a negative attitude towards life and basically everything he hasent experienced such as adulthood. Holden has a negative towards adult hood just because of the negative things he hears and has seen. Although Holden has never really given the thought of adulthood a chance, much less even experience adulthood.
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.
Many teens learn lessons the hard way during their childhood. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, a 16-year-old boy named Holden, wandering the streets of New York City meeting new people and reconnecting with others. The novel contains symbols, irony, and imagery that contributes to the overall theme on how growing up is a part of life.