Throughout the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is a deep character that shows(possesses) many personality traits. His character is what connects many readers to him and helps in understanding him. Some character traits Holden possesses are that he is generous, kindhearted, usually honest, very intelligent, makes quick judgements, speaks his mind, is anxious about change, and likes kids. Considering his many character traits, it is easy for the reader to understand and relate to Holden. There are many character traits that I share with him. Three examples of such traits are that I like to speak my mind, I get anxious when things change and I am kind-hearted. Holden stood out to me because like myself, he likes to speak his mind. It is clear in the story that Holden is the type of character that says what he think. For example, when Holden says, “Lawyers are alright, I guess — but it doesn't appeal to me", I said. "I mean they're alright if they go around saving innocent guys' lives all the time, …show more content…
When people ask me a favor and I have the ability to do it I just can’t say no. This is seen in the story when Holden helps a little girl tighten her skates, “She was having a helluva time tightening her skate. She didn't have any gloves on or anything and her hands were all red and cold. I gave her a hand with it” (Salinger 132). A personal life experience is when my church goes to feed the homeless (every other saturday) my mom and I make food and take it along with us. It feels good to help people who are less fortunate. Finally, after reading the novel The Catcher in the Rye I have been able to relate to Holden in many ways. Just like Holden, I say what comes to my mind, I get anxious when things change and I have to deal with things I am not used too and I like being around kids. I am also a teen just like Holden who is trying to live in this world full of
Click here to unlock this and over one million essays
Show MoreThere are two way I can identify with Holden: the struggle of holding on to my innocence and growing up. In Catcher in the Rye, Holden has issues with growing up and protecting not only his innocence, but others’ innocence too. As Holden makes his way towards the the principal’s office to give a note to Phoebe, his kid sister, he gets dizzy and sits down. While sitting, he notices something and says, “I saw something that drove me crazy. Somebody’d written ‘F*** you’ on the wall.
Holden’s grapple with leaving school and isolation is him raging against the normality of adult life being shoved down his throat. He’s trying to transition from boy to man, but doesn’t want to, because all he sees in adults is their unkindness, insincerity, and phoniness. He fights with the boys at school who are blind to what they’re becoming as they are transitioning into adulthood. He refuses to form into just another phony adult. Unlike every other character, Holden is going through life with his eyes wide open; he sees everything for what it is.
Holden’s mannerism, his personalities, reinforce the novel’s
We see him as a compassionate soul, who is willing to read to a person that has just been kicked out of the school. Because Holden says that he reads a lot, we can infer that he may be an introvert and may love to spend time with himself. This quote can be related to my life because when I was younger, I used to spend my weekends reading and book that I could get my hands on. “I mean he was mostly a Year Book kind of handsome guy. I knew a lot of guys at Pencey I thought were a lot handsomer than Stradlater, but they wouldn’t look handsome if you saw their pictures in the Year Book” -Holden
The Real Holden What is the real Holden? In the short novel “Catcher in the Rye” By J.D Salinger is about Holden is in the mental hospital telling the story about himself at Pencey Prep, New york and with Phoebe. As the story goes on, it shows Holden’s characteristic in three different ways. He is a typical teenager, he behaves different from a normal teenager and he is lonely. As most teenager’s characteristic, include Holden, would be the desire of independent.
Throughout the novel Holden Caulfield contains personality traits only explained through the use of Freud's
Many teenagers from previous generations may sympathize with the feelings Holden expresses many times throughout the book—feelings that often are too provocative to be spoken aloud in society. The sympathetic nature of Holden has not translated to the latest generation of teens. And many would argue, that it is simply because Holden Caulfield is not a very relatable character. Many would never be able to picture themselves in his shoes. When describing the situational problem that Holden experiences, a critic states, “This is surely the differential revolt of the lonesome rich kid, the conspicuous display of leisure-class emotions” (Geismar 198-199).
Holden Caulfield, in the book The Catcher in the Rye, goes through many different emotions on his journey, and consistently tries to be an adult, even though he is only 16. He starts at school, like most kids go through, but soon leaves and tries to act like he is older than he really is. Holden, being only 16, itches for adulthood by leaving school, trying alcohol, and trying to protect little kids from something he should be protected from. School is tough, and no one wants to go through it. Some kids suffer through it, and some rebel and rarely do work, or even try.
Kaelyn Held English 9 - 8th Period Novel Paper December 15, 2015 Holden’s Personality in Catcher in the Rye The reader learns that Holden’s identity is determined by his Brother’s death, his sister and, his relationships with others. Holden’s identity is determined by his brother’s death. This is evident when he writes the composition he was asked to write about his brother’s baseball glove that he kept with his luggage.
After reading the novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, there is one connection between Holden and I. Holden mentions his sister Phoebe in a few times and whenever he talks to her, he is happy and grateful that his sister always understand him. It shows that he has a close sibling bonding with her. I have a brother that is four years older than me, he is the one who spent most of his time to listen my nonsense complain of everything that I can’t deal with and patiently solve my problems. I’m really glad that I have him to be my old brother and in the novel, Holden shows his loves to his little sister. Reading him, I found that it is easy to forget that he is just a sixteen-year-old boy.
Closed off, no stable relationships, no will to maintain having friends how are we supposed to see what Holden feels? In the Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger, Holden is afraid of being open with people and not willing to reveal his true thoughts. Throughout the story, Holden’s fears are revealed using strong figurative language. Salinger uses powerful symbolism to show Holden’s inner thoughts and fears of death and change. Holden is afraid of death and also afraid of change
My first impression of Holden is that he doesn’t like to give exact explanations or reasons for any of his actions. In the beginning of chapter one, he doesn’t give the reader a lot of information about himself. He likes to keep all of his thoughts to himself. Holden puts up a front that shields his true feelings about certain situations. We can see this when he goes to visit his teacher Mr. Spencer.
Not many people realise that people come from different backgrounds and experiences, and therefore, people act stubborn. Many people fail to think through things and also fail to think through the possibilities. In the book, The Catcher in the Rye, it is heavily enclosed on regarding a 16-year-old boy, Holden Caulfield. The book goes through the memories he has, as many things are revealed about him and how he critiques, specifically, society. Holden is not an easy character to understand, which forces the reader to use clues and moments throughout the book to open up Holden.
In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a peculiar character portrayed as a skeptic living in “a world of phonies” in circa 1950. These personality traits can be seen through his doubts of society as well as his way of thinking and acting toward others. He also demonstrates a lack of responsibility adding to his role as a slacker. Holden flunks out of school repeatedly and has no desire to confront his parents. He mopes around the city for days, delaying the inevitable punishments he’s sure to get.
down but instead try to bring people up even if they were down and in return they might have their mood/ actions turn from down to up. Holden avoids facing his low self-esteem by attacking other people. His so called “lousy” childhood gives him an excuse to use when things go wrong. Also Holden takes his insecurities and tries to convince his little sister that none of his short falls with school were his fault. He also takes his insecurities and either talks bad or good about himself depending on who he’s around.