ipl-logo

Catcher In The Rye Tradlater Analysis

437 Words2 Pages

In the novel The Catcher in The Rye, there are many interesting characters, including the protagonist Holden Caulfield and the relatively minor character Stradlater. Their vary from one another in their attitudes towards academics, relationships, and in their sanity

While it is may be said that Stradlater and Holden behave similarly regarding academics, they do differ ever so slightly. Holden for one has a deplorable work ethic as he openly states on pg. 13 “That his only interests in school were in English and one semester of History.” He also it may be said, cares very little about his grades, and has failed to meet the mark in many of his previous schools. Likewise, Stradlater is shown to be slothful in regards to working on any of his …show more content…

For example, Holden thinks of a relationship as being something sacred that cannot be casually thrown around. We see this in his attitudes towards the people at the Edmont Hotel deeming them to be degenerates due to what he views as casual behavior. Also, Holden has a certain naivety towards women as tends to idealize them as evidenced by Jane. Stradlater is the antithesis, in using common slang the man is a player, as Holden describes on pg. 27, he takes a mild view towards sex and is very charismatic towards …show more content…

Stradlater is a narcissist and puts on an arrogant air when dealing with people like Holden, affecting an aura of subtle scorn and disinterest. Holden meanwhile, has gone completely insane, which is understandable considering everything that has happened to him. His insanity is very unique in that it yearns and craves stagnation, Holden expresses admiration for the museum on pg. 154 as “it never changes”. He dreams of being the “Catcher In The Rye” towards children keeping them in a state of perpetual childhood to shield them from the horrors of this

Show More
Related

  • Holden Caulfield Unreliable Narrator

    471 Words  | 2 Pages

    This shows that Holden doesn’t understand the way society works through societal norms, and how he lacks the basic maturity skills to understand everything functions around him. Another example of Holden being naïve would be when it comes to women. He consistently talks about sex and women, but whenever his time comes, he mostly backs out. Such as in the scene, “I just didn’t want to do it. I felt more depressed than sexy.”

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Lying Quotes

    901 Words  | 4 Pages

    Holden also finds flaws in his roommate, Stradlater. Although Holden admits that Stradlater was seen as "a Year Book kind of handsome guy," Holden still emphasizes how much of a "secret slob" he is. He talks about the razor Stradlater uses as "rusty as hell and full of lather and hairs and crap." He also says that, "the reason he fixed himself to look good was because he was madly in love with himself." This confirms how pessimistic Holden's description of Stradlater was, saying he was disgusting and vain despite being good-looking.

    Read More

  • What Does Holden's Hat Symbolize

    545 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger, Holden Caulfield recounts his experience in New York City after his expulsion from his third school. Holden, the central character of the novel, describes all characters he meets descriptively, yet he never provides an explanation of his motives. Luckily, Holden’s personality is reflected through the various symbols throughout the novel. J.D Salinger uses symbolism to create an intimate connection to Holden’s unique emotions in an ever changing society. To begin, we first gain insight of Holden’s character through his odd taste in choice.

    Read More

  • Examples Of External Conflict In Catcher In The Rye

    668 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the story, Holden retells his relationship with D.B. In the beginning he describes him as, “being a prostitute”(Salinger 2). This is unexpected due to the fact that his brother is now a very successful screenwriter. Rather than showing support for his brother's new found success, Holden labels him as a phony. Similarly, when he is jealous of Stradlater's success with his love, Jane Gallagher, he immediately insults him and says, “all the athletic bastards stuck together.

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Analysis

    1035 Words  | 5 Pages

    From the outset, I have to say that “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger has been one of the most important and influential pieces of literature I have ever read. At its core, the book is a superb coming of age novel which discusses several extremely powerful themes such as the difficulties of growing up, teenage angst and alienation and the superficiality, hypocrisy and pretension of the adult world. These themes resonated deeply with me and were portrayed excellently through the use of powerful symbolism and the creation of highly relatable and likable characters. One such character is Holden Caulfield whom the story both revolves around and is narrated by.

    Read More

  • How Does Holden Caulfield Change Throughout The Novel

    693 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although Holden is a very intelligent character he finds the hypocrisy and ugliness in the world around him and quickly associates it with the adult world. Holden is a very introverted character who hesitates throughout the book to share information about his life . J.D Salinger makes sure to portray Holden that way to

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Rhetorical Analysis

    828 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rhetorical Précis 1: In his essay, “ Love and Death in The Catcher in the Rye” (1991), Peter Shaw claimed that Holden behavior and way of thinking is due to common abnormal behavior in a certain time for teenagers (par. 10). Shaw supported his assertion of the young Holden by comparing the literary culture of the 1950s and how Holden’s fictional character fits within the contemporary Americans novels as a, “ sensitive, psychological cripples but superior character” (par. 3). Shaw’s purpose was to show that Holden’s sensitive and psychological behavior is not abnormal, but such like stated by Mrs. Trilling that,” madness is a normal, even a better then normal way of life” (par 4). Peter Shaw’s tone assumed a highly educated audience who is

    Read More

  • Lack Of Responsibility In Catcher In The Rye

    744 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Who Is Holden Misanthrope In Catcher In The Rye

    1027 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Are Holden Caulfield's Flaws

    904 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even though he is skeptical of people he considers phony, such as Marty who lies about seeing a movie star, his negativity and judgement of others usually goes a lot farther than what is considered normal. For example, he doesn’t get serious in relationships with others, because he always seems to find flaws in everyone. Another example is when Holden’s history teacher at Pencey, Mr. Spencer, wants to understand why he refuses to put in any effort. Spencer feels bad about failing Holden and reaches out to him, trying to connect with him and possibly influence him positively. However, Holden gets upset and starts talking poorly of him once he hears this, and later excuses himself with a lie he made up to leave, showing both his self-defence mechanism and his skepticism towards people he liked.

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Analysis

    1308 Words  | 6 Pages

    Someone who is confident would not lie and play with the emotions of someone else. Another example of Holden contradicting himself would have to be when he hired Sunny, a

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Identity Analysis

    991 Words  | 4 Pages

    In an emotional hast to find where he belongs, Holden encounters multiple characters both negative and positive that guide him in the direction as to “where”, or rather how to find a place, in society. The Catcher in the Rye focuses on identity from both personal and public perspectives. Catcher in the Rye explores Holden’s personal identity through his symbolic red hunting hat. Holden’s red hunting hat represents Holden intense, raw feelings that he conceals within himself. At the beginning of the book, Holden’s roommate, Stradlater, asks him to write a descriptive composition for him for English class while he is on a date with Holden’s old neighbor, Jane.

    Read More

  • The Catcher In The Rye Analysis

    915 Words  | 4 Pages

    In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Mr. Antolini gives Holden Caulfield advice when he is at one of his lowest points. Already aware of Holden’s mental state and position on school, he quotes Wilhelm Stekel, a psychoanalyst, “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” (Salinger 188). Although Holden fails to grasp Mr. Antolini’s message, the quote applies directly to his life because of his relationship with death as a result of his younger brother, Allie’s, death. Mr. Antolini uses this quote specifically because he wants Holden take a step back and try to live for a noble cause instead of resorting to death.

    Read More

  • An Alternate Ending to The Catcher in the Rye

    1400 Words  | 6 Pages

    Purpose: To show how a small change in choice could affect holden’s life The Catcher in the Rye is about Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy from New York. The novel starts with Holden, writing in his book, hinting that he is in some sort of mental facility .Even though he comes from a wealthy family,because of his loss of interest in studies,and low grades, he gets expelled from all schools he has studied in .Holden leaves his final school, Pency Prep and decides that he will stay in New York City until his parents learn of his expulsion and “cool down” .Most of the novel is dedicated to Holden’s time in the city, Holden lives in a hotel room for a few days during his stay .Holden then starts meeting with people that he used know, some strangers and goes to places with. From his conversations, he

    Read More

  • Catcher In The Rye Coming Of Age Analysis

    1020 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Coming Of Age Many people struggle to grow up and, being adults, but many do grow up. Phoebe and Stradlater teach about coming of age to Holden. They teach him things like not being childish and growing up, and how it 's okay to grow up. In the book Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, Stradlater, and Phoebe help develop the theme of coming of age by teaching Holden that he should himself and not be childish, accordingly how it 's okay to grow up. Holden struggles to grow up so Phoebe and Stradlater teach him some things about maturity and the coming of age.

    Read More

More about Catcher In The Rye Tradlater Analysis

Open Document