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Holden Caulfield

            Holden Caulfield is a terribly disillusioned teenager who is disgusted with the adult world he sees around him. His plan to run away from school is the result of his desperation to escape the realities of his oncoming adulthood. Through the innocence of his youth Holden views the world as hypocritical and corrupt. His fondest memories are of playing checkers with Jane Gallagher and dancing with his sister Phoebe. Among his many cynical views is his attitude about sex. He is disgusted that people can have sex casually rather than it being an expression of love. He is traumatized when he perceives that people are ruining his sense of purity and righteousness. An example is his hatred of the profanity used in graffiti, most especially when it's within the view of young children. Holden fools himself into believing that he can stay young forever and his attempt at running is his means of doing so. .
             Holden sees the exhibits in the Museum of Natural History as a perfect example of the way the world should be. "The best thing in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was The only thing that would be different would be you." (Page 121) Holden was comfortable with the Museum because it conformed to his point of view and was unthreatening to him. He liked how all of the artifacts and displays were always the same and appeared frozen in time. This was the type of orderly world in which he could live without fear. That's why he chose the museum as the place to meet Phoebe to tell her that he was running away. This meeting further feeds Holden's disillusionment because Phoebe talks him out of leaving rather than supporting him.
             Holden can't find a place for himself in the world so he makes up an imaginary one. His fantasy is based on a quote from a poem that he hears a little boy singing. He thinks the words are, "If a body catch a body comin" through the rye." He sees himself in a world with no adults and he as the only "big" person.


Essays Related to Holden Caulfield

1. The Madness of Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield's madness plays a very significant role in J.D. ... This madness has been deeply engraved in Caulfield's mind. ... Holden also really cares for his sister, Phoebe Caulfield, who is younger than Holden. ... Phoebe Caulfield, Holden's little sister, is ultimately the force that prevents Holden from moving out West by slapping him back into the realization that he is only a kid. Holden Caulfield was just a young kid when he had such a large view of human life and nature. ...

  • Word Count: 817
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Analysis of Patient: Holden Caulfield

Many files were destroyed including that of the said Holden Caulfield. The following is a reconstruction of the mental/medical history of the said Holden Caulfield. ... Caulfield is ironically judgmental. ... In reality, Holden is the phony. ... On the train, where he meets a schoolmate's mother, he lies for no other reason than to escape the reality that is Holden Caulfield. ...

  • Word Count: 467
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Holden Caulfield's Language

Literary Criticism On Holden Caulfield's Language Every person's, words contribute to form a unique and individual identity. ... One of his characters, Holden Caulfield, has a very pessimistic diction which made him special. ... Holden Caulfield's idiosyncratic speech pattern portrays his looseness and his self-consciousness in his personality. ... Holden also uses "if you want to know the truth" after personal confirmations. ... Holden's use of the crude word "hell" is also used plentifully throughout the novel. ...

  • Word Count: 964
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. The Catcher in the Rye - Holden Caulfield and Women

In the book "The Catcher in the Rye," by JD Salinger, protagonist Holden Caulfield meets a variety of different female characters. ... One of them is Phoebe, Holden Caulfield's little sister. ... Just like Phoebe, Jane is a really close character to Caulfield. ... In a certain way Caulfield loves both of them and is really protective about Jane and Phoebe. ... Caulfield does not feel anything more than superficial feeling towards both of them. ...

  • Word Count: 960
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Character Sketch of Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield is portrayed as a child that is coming to age. ... Throughout the story, Holden Caulfield makes himself out to be someone he is not. ... Holden's superiority complex is evident throughout the story. ... This is important because it shows Holden's mindset. ... Holden makes smarter choices for himself and also for his sister Phoebe. ...

  • Word Count: 749
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Holden Caulfield and Borderline Personality Disorder

I am under the impression that my patient, Holden Caulfield, is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old male teenager, who has a difficult time dealing with the death of his younger brother. ... Along with his suicidal thoughts, Holden also shows self-harming behavior. ... Holden clearly had a case of a random emotion. ... Holden disorder causes him to be somewhat discontent with his parents, this symptom caused Holden to become very nervous when he snuck into his home to see his sister. ...

  • Word Count: 766
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Holden Vs. Othello

Holden Caulfield and Othello both experience similar situations where they suffer immensely because of the fear that false illusions and images had created. Through two significant situations, Holden Caulfield and Othello experience similar scenarios where illusions are caused and suffering ensues. ... It is evident that both Othello and Holden Caulfield suffer heavily by their illusions from situations that really meant to harm. ... Holden Caulfield and Othello both suffer greatly from the words of two unlawful characters. ... Through similar situations, Holden Caulfield and Othello both ...

  • Word Count: 1633
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Catcher in The Rye - Holden Caulfield

Holden Caulfield is a young, unstable teenager who can't seem to find his way in life. ... Holden doesn't enjoy the company of many people, only his younger sister, Phoebe. ... Holden's full downward spiral can be attributed mainly to his mental corrosion. ... It is implied that Holden Caulfield is currently in a mental hospital, indicating that his downward spiral had been completed. ... Holden Caulfield faces an extreme downward spiral in J.D Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. ...

  • Word Count: 840
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Holden Caulfield's Psychological Profile

Holden Caulfield is suffering from the severe depression and is socially incompetent which enables him to not form lasting relationships with friends or family. ... Holden felt the adult world was full of phonies and that innocent, little children were being exposed to profanity and phoniness. ... This kind of behavior tells that Holden consider himself alienated from society that no one understands him but a ten-year old. ... Holden exhibits the usual signs of mental deterioration as performing irresponsible acts as running away. ...

  • Word Count: 263
  • Approx Pages: 1

10. Holden Caulfield Symbolization

I knew I wouldn't meet anybody that knew me, and it was pretty damp out" (Holden Caulfield - CITR). ... The hat mirrors the central conflict inside Holden; His need for alienation versus his need for companionship. ... " but it was freezing cold and I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on, I didn't give a damn how I looked - I even put the earflaps down," (Caulfield). ... It comforts Holden to know the hat is there. ... What directions Holden will take regarding these choices are unclear. ...

  • Word Count: 505
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

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