Holden Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye - 898 Words

In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, the main character and narrator Holden Caulfeild walks many different paths of life. He jumps around different aspects of his life throughout the book, showing the reader many different sides to himself. This theme is presented through the author’s technique in crafting the characterization and symbolism. J.D. Salinger develops a puzzle of a personality for Holden throughout the book, to show the complexity and multitude of sides to Holden’s character. One way that J.D. Salinger shows off a side of Holden is through the characterization. An aspect of Holden that Salinger creates is his school personality. Holden comes off as a protected person. At the very beginning of Catcher in the Rye, one of the first views of the narrator is a scene of him standing on top of a hill, looking down at one of the most important games of the season for his school’s team. In this passage, Holden is standing on top of a hill, next to a cannon, watching the school game below. This shows how Holden is protecting himself. His school is playing in one of the biggest games of the season, yet Holden is standing in a place where he can’t even view his side. When Holden refers to Pencey, he always uses third person phrases, like â€Å"them all† almost as if he doesn’t go to the school at all. He also refers to them in a very grouped way, instead of saying ‘them,’ he refers to the rest of the school as â€Å"all.â₠¬  This kind of language excludes himself as a part ofShow MoreRelatedHolden ´s Red Hunting Hat in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger652 Words   |  3 Pagesin the book, The Catcher in the Rye. The hat represents individuality and uniqueness. It symbolizes the confidence, self esteem, and comfort in who someone is. Holden is only willing to express himself when he is alone, with no one around. He looks for approval. Holden does not want to be seen negatively in any way. The hat is a symbol that Holden uses to tell Phoebe that she should always stay the same. Also, to tell her that she should be confident in whom she is, but, as Holden knows, ConfidenceRead MoreHolden Caulfield ´s Innocence and Purity in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger850 Words   |  4 PagesIn a society filled with impureness, Holden Caulfield searches for purity and innocence in everyone around him. Lonely, affectionate, and judgmental, Holden is the narrator and protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye. His actions and the way he acts reveals that Holden is very lonely, and is longing for human companionship. Holden is somewhat mature above his age, but still desires pleasures like any other teenage boy. After meeting people, Holden becomes very judgemental about the way people act.Read MoreMental Analysis on Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger ´s The Catcher in the Rye824 Words   |  4 PagesService Corporation) (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, provides the narrative of a young adult, Holden Caulfield, who I believe shows many symptoms of several different mental disorders. In this essay, I will be providing examples straight from The Catcher in the Rye that support my theory of Holden Caulfield’s lack of mental stability. Holden Caulfield demonstrates extreme and inconsistent behaviors throughout his narrative, describingRead More 1950s Culture Exposed in The Catcher in the Rye Essay1361 Words   |  6 Pages1950s Culture Exposed in The Catcher in the Rye    J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye is a remarkable book that gives readers a unique and perhaps gloomy perspective of the 1950s through Holden Caulfield, a cynical and peculiar teenager. Through The Catcher in the Rye Salinger describes important aspects of the 1950s. Salinger emphasizes several key characteristics of the 50s and criticizes them through Holden. In addition, Holden Caulfield is a very interesting character withRead More salinger Essay843 Words   |  4 Pages LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY OF J.D. SALINGER J.D. Salinger is one of the most renowned writers of his time. J. D. Salinger is most known for his controversial in the Catcher in the Rye. Salinger is also known for many of his writings such as Franney and Zooey, Nine Stories, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters. The summer of 1930 he was voted â€Å"The Most Popular Writer†. â€Å"Salinger is a beautifully deft, professional who gives us a chance to catch quick, half-amused, half-frightened glimpses ofRead MoreCriticism Of Salinger s The Rye1382 Words   |  6 PagesCRITICISM Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye has been into continuous dispute and controversy since its publication in 1951. Some critics think that Salinger s narrative of the human plight is engrossing and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The leading character, Holden Caulfield, serves as the basis for critical discussion due to his psychological conflict. Salinger s portrayal of Holden, which encloses incidents of dejection, nervous breakdown, impulsive spending, sexual exploration, andRead MoreTheme Of The Catcher In The Rye976 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger there are several different themes portrayed that widely relate to current issues of teenagers and adults alike. While reading the novel several different themes were revealed creating a deep and meaningful story line. Three themes viewed within the novel are; the phoniness of the adult world, alienation as a form of self-protection, and the painfulness of growing up. Each o f these themes have large significance in character and plot developmentRead MoreAnalysis Of Characters And Themes Of The Catcher Rye 1537 Words   |  7 Pages Analysis of Characters and Themes in The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger was born in 1919 to a wealthy Manhattan family. He grew up in the same social conditions as Holden Caulfield does in The Catcher in the Rye. The last thing Salinger cared about was being a successful student because he was very lazy, without care for his responsibilities and tasks. Salinger flunked out of many prep schools, and his parents sent him to a military academy named Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where he graduatedRead MoreThe Freedom Of Speech Through The First Amendment Essay1156 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to the Bill of Rights, we are afforded the freedom of speech through the first amendment. But this awarding of freedom is only allowed if it goes along with what the general population deems â€Å"normal†. During the middle part of the 1900’s many books were banned on political, religious, and moral views. While our society has changed these issues are still prevalent in today’s public views and opinions of author’s work. These books are not â€Å"normal† and that is why they play an unprecedentedRead MoreJ.b. Salinger s A Perfect Day For Bananafish 1714 Words   |  7 PagesMatthew Silbernagel Ms. Clark English III 30 November 2015 J.D. Salinger her was born in New York City in 1919. He wrote in the post war time period where writers wrote mostly about aesthetic or social rather than political problems. J.D. Salinger is the son of a Jewish father and a Christian mother. After enrollment at both NYU and Columbia University he devoted himself to writing and by 1940 he had published some short stories. But his career as a writer was interrupted by World War II