Salinger's "The Catcher In The Rye" Holden Caulfield's judgment of society is jaded by his loss of innocence much like many other adolescents in today's world. Holden Caulfield is a symbol of today's youth more so then when the character was first introduced. Holden faces loneliness, fear of people, fear of intimacy, feelings of superiority among others. Holden is scared to death of change symbolizing his fear of adulthood. He view society as being phony. Many of today's youth have exactly the same thoughts as Holden.
Holden after the loss of his brother turned is anger inward and harmed himself. He punched in the glass windows of his garage. This act of self-mutilation was the only way for him to vent his sorrow and rage at that time. Holden also has thoughts of ending his life every so often. He has very much in common with what has occur during recent events in our society. The Columbine killing remind that sometimes anger is turned outward and also the suicide of Tempest Smith, she was isolated because of her Pagan faith. Holden has alienated himself. He cannot understand why the phonies can be living and wonderful people like his brother Allie are dead.
Holden also seems to be struggling with his sexuality. Holden when he sleeps over Mr. Antolini's apartment has an encounter with him. Mr. Antolini, while Holden slept was petting his hair. This startled Holden and quickly he fled. Holden said "that kind of stuff's happened to me about twenty times since I was a kid"(193). Some kind of unwanted sexual encounter occurs in Holden's youth. He may have been raped or molested; this could possibly explain his distaste for society. If Holden is homosexual this adds to his alienation from others that are not like him. Being with someone is an adult action and he is afraid of physical and emotional relationships because they offer Holden an opportunity to break out of his isolated shell which is the only thing he finds to be stable.
So what is Catcher in the Rye really about??? ... So what is The Catcher in the Rye actually about? ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. ... John Hinkley may have been trying to impress Jody Foster, but he was also a big Catcher in the Rye fan. ... In Caulfield's insanity, there is a inspiring theme. ...
Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is frequently being banned from high schools. ... The Catcher in the Rye also contains universal themes that, for teenagers about to shift into adulthood, help them to better comprehend the world and other people. ... Looking beyond the vulgar language and "adult- topics, the theme of materialism provides insight to the average reader, and it is one reason why The Catcher in the Rye should not be censored from high schools. ... Another cardinal notion for teenagers who are entering adulthood is the central theme of The Catcher in the Rye, the loss of...
The Catcher In The Rye J.D. Salinger The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. ... This quote says it all when it comes to the theme of this book. ... Haden replies that he wants to be the "catcher" in the rye. ... Once you have read The Catcher In The Rye we are reminded of the innocence of youth. ...
Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye endorses a society intertwined by modernism and the interesting aspects that are evident through it. ... Salinger now world renown for his amazing work, The Catcher in the Rye, and is studied by high school students and college students abroad. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. ... In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. ... The lessons that we learn from The Catcher in the Rye and books similar to it are invaluable teachings of society that can never be forgotten. ...
The Catcher in the Rye The American classic, The Catcher in the Rye, although simply written, had quite sophisticated meanings. ... The catcher in the rye has to do with a childhood fable in which the catcher catches children from falling off the cliff. Since the rye in the field is so high, the children cannot see over it. ... "The scenes with Phoebe toward the end of Holden's story, as he tires to leave New York and hitchhike west, give him a chance to act as a kind of catcher in the rye' even in the midst of his psychological meltdown."" ... Although The Catcher in the Rye is...
The Role of Allie in Catcher in the Rye Some authors create characters that appear briefly or not at all, but are a significant presence. Even though he was dead, Allie affected the action, theme and development of Holden. ... The theme of Catcher in the Rye was greatly influenced by Allie. ... As a result he developed a job that he would like to have-- "a catcher in the rye." ... His presence affected the action, theme, and development of Holden. ...
Undoubtedly, within The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. ... Due to the fact that The Catcher in the Rye is told using a first person point of view, a number of literary elements, mainly including character and plot, are severely restricted. ... This text lends little to the other elements of literature, yet is a significant factor in the determining of the themes presented in The Catcher in the Rye. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. ... Salinger in his novel, The Catcher in the Rye. ...
Controversy Catcher in the Rye is without a doubt a controversial book. ... Catcher in the Rye displays some very vulgar language at some points. ... Also, the theme of undermining the human race and the falseness of the good intentions of people is rather evident in this book. ... People who take things too seriously and consider themselves to have the authority to tell others what they can or cannot read, well, they need to become aware of the reality in the world they live in, and most of all, become aware of the fact that most people who read books such as Catcher in the Rye, are capa...
