The Catcher In The Rye theme

... also related to another literary element, symbolism. In this novel, concrete symbols are used to signify the theme of innocence. A few examples of these symbols are the catcher in the rye, the ducks in the Central Park lagoon, Holden's red hunting cap, and the carrousel's gold ring. When Holden hears the boy singing the song "comin' thro' the rye", Holden admits to Phoebe that he wants to be the catcher in the rye. He wants to catch children before they fall ... out of innocence and into the knowledge of the adult world. Holden's red ... ...

• Word Count: 1143
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... 's obviously some sort of protection, quite possibly from the rest of the world. The caul protects children, just as Holden wishes he could do in saving the innocence in society. The last part of Caulfield, "field", has to do with the title's theme (Downey). 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. This elucidates ... the novel's metaphoric title, as the children cannot see beyond the boundaries of childhood and out of innocence ... ...

• Word Count: 1079
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... They are nice memories, innocent memories, whatever they may be. Holden Caulfield, the main character and narrator of the novel The Catcher in the Rye yearns to hold onto his innocence and to protect others from the corruption and phony society . This is a main theme in J.D Salinger's novel: the loss of innocence. This theme is an important one and is one which many relate to. Childhood was ... they try to fall. That is the only thought that does not make him feel depressed and his way of saving children's innocence, which is the main theme of this novel, and that's why J.D. Salinger gav...

• Word Count: 1770
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... to the novel's general composition. Undoubtedly, within The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger presents a number of such elements, including character, setting, plot, symbolism, conflict, and theme. The latter is without question the primary literary component Salinger focuses on within his book as is clearly evident through the first-person perspective of the novel, the position of Holden (the main character and narrator) in life, and his thoughts and comments. Due to the fact that The Catcher in the Rye is ... -protection. His comments also illustrate a number of other themes found thro...

• Word Count: 1209
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... seem like they known all these places and people, when in actuality they were two big phonies. The next Theme of this story that I want to talk about is the significance of the novel's title. First of all I have to say why the book was entitle as it was "The Catcher in the Rye." The title of the book is a mystery all the way until chapter 21 when he sneaked back home to see ... minutes of pondering Holden said "I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all." He just wanted to save the little innocent kids from falling. The kids I think represent the innocents of the young just playing and ...

• Word Count: 2230
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... book about whiney losers sitting around complaining about their lives, (where the major problem is that the author can't think of a plot to concentrate on so he writes a story such as "The Catcher in the Rye") compared favorably to The Catcher in the Rye? Because it is a book that speaks for the disgruntled, the frustrated, and the adolescent. In Caulfield's insanity, there is a inspiring theme. By being the pissed off, nasty, and a "cynical insane bastard"; Holden Caulfield suggests ... that it is ok to be a creep. Your criticisms of the world are not invalid and nothing you say or thi...

• Word Count: 1374
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... is Hell?" I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love." This quote says it all when it comes to the theme of this book. Meaning that there is nothing worse in the world than not being able to love, or not experiencing love from others. The Catcher In The Rye was a somewhat ironic title, occurring twice throughout the book. The first occurrence takes place when Holden over hears ... a young boy singing the song, "If a body catch a body coming through the rye." When Holden overheard this is ... Haden what he would like to be. Haden replies that he wants to be the "catcher"...

• Word Count: 628
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Holden acted out and pretended to be people so that you could deal with the pain he felt inside. It caused Holden to condone something that he was strongly opposed to as a mere escape from the present. This is a direct result of the strife Allie's death left on Holden. The theme of Catcher in the Rye was greatly influenced by Allie. Because of his early death, Holden felt his ... innocence had been stolen. In reaction to this Holden felt it was his responsibility to protect the innocence of all children. As a result he developed a job that he would like to have-- "a catcher in the rye." ...

• Word Count: 443
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... goes around saying "Goddamn" and "What a phony" while whining about the world. After reading the book, I learned that the book isn't about whining about life, but instead it simply shows a cynical view of the world; A view that is seldom looked at by most people. One dominant theme in the "Catcher in the Rye" is loneliness. The narrator displays his loneliness throughout the novel. The loneliness theme is shown during a conversation between Holden and a taxi driver ... . In this short trip from one bar to another Holden engages in a meaningless conversation with the driver, when he reach...

• Word Count: 639
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... values to the youth on the verge of adulthood. This is a recurring theme in Salinger's novels. Finally, Salinger paints a clear picture of the phoniness in life, where artists sacrifice their art for fame, and mothers cry fake tears in movies. Holden Caulfield is totally disgusted at the phonies in the world. Through Holden, Salinger is trying to make the reader see the need for honesty and integrity in the modern world. The mood in "The Catcher in the Rye", is dark ... , bleak, gloomy, and depressing. Holden is troubled, seaching, frustrated, and alienated youth; since he is the narrato...

• Word Count: 1487
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School