Character Analysis Essay On The Catcher In The Rye
The way teenagers act and talk is always changing. From generation to generation it becomes harder to understand the new slang which is proven through The Catcher in the Rye. Some of the language used in the book is confusing to the next generation of teenagers. Which leads to the question is Holden Caulfield an authentic teen character? I think that Holden is an authentic teen character because he goes through real teen experiences, has to deal with dark times, and he has to face the emotional truths.
Holden Caulfield goes through things that real teenagers go through. One example is at the beginning of the book when he says “I left all the foils and equipment and stuff on the goddamn subway.” (pg. 3). He tries to downplay the fact that the whole team was mad at him, which is a common reaction teenagers have. They don’t want to be blamed so they blow it off. Then later when he gets kicked out of Pencey he decides to leave early and spend a few days going around the city, but
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He has to realize that he does have feelings towards things and it’s not necessary to cover them up. Holden goes to the hotel and is asked if he wants a prostitute to come up to his room while he’s waiting he says “If you want to know the truth, I’m a virgin.” even though usually he plays it off as though he has already been through the emotional journey of losing his virginity but he always stops when the opportunity arises even though most guys wouldn’t (pg. 92).
Another place where Holden faces an emotional truth is when he is talking to Phoebe about the jobs he could potentially do in the future and he says “I’m no good at science.” because he’s thinking about his future and is narrowing down his options (pg. 172). At some point each person has to decide their strengths and weaknesses and decide where that will take them. Holden is forced to start picking out where his strengths will take
Holden's Pathology In Catcher In The Rye
87 Words | 1 PagesThroughout the novel, Holden progresses to become more aware of his actions. Holden’s process is slowed an adolescent state of mind where his self-absorption doesn’t allows for him to fully see how his actions affect the outcomes he receives. Holden’s pathology consistently brings negative outcomes. Holden occasionally learns to take responsibility of his actions and realizes he must live in the present instead of the past. Holden is able to form meaningful connections with a limited few and use these as a hopeful path for his future.
Is Holden Caulfield Reliable
1050 Words | 5 PagesHe feels the saying “you only live once” is his motto (he doesn't say that but he acts like it). His immaturity is him growing up too fast. He thinks it's okay to act like a 21-year-old when he knows much better. A secondary source about the novel also has some words to say about Holdenss immaturity to where he says “While such positive interpretations of Holden correct reductive interpretations that simply dismiss Holden as an immature cynic, Duane Edwards's , “Holden Caulfield: Don't Ever Tell Anybody Anything,” advances an even more complex interpretation of Holde.
Psychoanalysis Of Holden Caulfield
771 Words | 4 PagesHolden Caulfield, the main character in The Catcher In The Rye, has many qualities a seventeen-year-old boy possesses. By using psychoanalytic interpretations it's clear that other than the normal mood swings and closed off feelings, Holden uses a defense mechanism called displacement to take out his anger. He has a fear of growing up, ironically because he wants to be treated like an adult. Also, Holden also has an insecure sense of self, though at times it may not be obvious. All in all, he seems like just an average teenage boy.
Holden Caulfield Psychology
330 Words | 2 PagesWhile it is clear that teenagers typically suffer from mood swings and unsettling behavior, this is not the case for Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye. J.D Salinger portrays his protagonist, Holden, as a cynical and unstable character whose issues may seem dismal; however, his actions and recurring thoughts prove to be much graver than expected and correspond to many of the signs of a psychological disorder described in the article “What’s Normal and What’s Not”. Often, Holden does appear to be dealing and coping with his issues like any other teenager. For example his cynical judgements, listless attitude, and need for independence can very well be perceived as normal rebellious behaviors seen in adolescents.
The Catcher In The Rye: Was Holden Successful In His Journey
593 Words | 3 PagesThe reason that Holden Caulfield is always trying to stop kids from growing up in the first place is because he want’s to protect them, and shelter them from the bad things in the world. By the end of the novel Holden realizes that he can’t protect kids all the time or save their innocence. Holden comes right out and say’s that you can’t protect kids, or their innocence when Phoebe is riding the carousel toward the end of the book, Holden says “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them". This quote is one reason that proves Holden was successful throughout his journey in the
Holden Caulfield Character Analysis
779 Words | 4 PagesMany 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).
Persuasive Essay On The Catcher In The Rye
1325 Words | 6 PagesHe knows that the school doesn’t want him to be there anymore, his roommate almost beat him unconscious, and his parents will only be disappointed when they know that he has been expelled from yet another school. For Holden, it seems like there is no one else to turn to, except his younger sister Phoebe who he can’t see unless he goes home. Teenagers all across America feel this same sort of detachment from the rest of society. Only one thing going wrong could cause the rest of our worlds to collapse. Holden ended up trying to live on the streets when he ran out of money, and as the story progressed, he dug himself into a larger hole of loneliness.
Catcher In The Rye Holden's Struggles Essay
830 Words | 4 PagesHe has trouble growing up and accepting life as it is. Holden thinks adults are "phony" which makes him hate the fact of growing up and staying innocent as much as he can while he is old enough to become an adult. He is frustrated with the world and people which makes him act with anger. His innocent childish dream is to be the Catcher in the Rye, to catch the kids before they become phonies like Holden says about adults. The moment he realizes that he cannot keep kids from falling or in other words, from growing up and becoming adults, he, reaches adulthood, and takes a big step towards it at the end of the novel.
Catcher In The Rye Allie's Mitt Analysis
779 Words | 4 PagesFurthermore, Holden starts to hate all the adults or loses faith in them, calls them phony. Holden has a second thought of becoming an adult he loses hope in his future and it seems to him nothing in the world matters to him anymore. We can see that throughout the book. He smokes, gets drunk, and does daring acts like getting a prostitute in his room. He also tries to escape all this guilt and grief by wasting time with unnecessary people he calls phony.
How Does Holden Connect With Others
734 Words | 3 PagesHolden is unaware of his problem. When people try to help him he tells them there is nothing wrong with him. Holden wonders why he cannot connect with others. He blames it on other people when the source of his problems is himself. Holden’s past holds him back from connecting with others, but his fear of letting go of his past has him limited and scarred from making new relationships and connections.
Catcher In The Rye Holden's Journey Analysis
656 Words | 3 PagesHolden says that all he want to do is be the catcher in the rye protecting children from falling. The whole novel Holden makes observation around him that are taking away from children's innocence. This is what upsets him the most the fact that everyone will eventually have to grow up. While he is trying to go get Phoebe he is reminded this in the following quote. “I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another "Fuck you" on the wall.
Examples Of How Holden Mature In Catcher In The Rye
1268 Words | 6 PagesHolden realizes she is going to grow up and he cannot affect that and he should not either because that would get in the way of her development, and that is not what mature person would do, and he does not therefore he has indeed matured by this point in the novel. Holden learned to accept loss of innocence and grew in maturity throughout the novel. At some point in people's lives everyone matures, and learns to accept that they are going to grow
Theme Of Maturity In Catcher In The Rye
837 Words | 4 PagesHolden struggles with growing up and facing reality. There are many examples of Holden’s immaturity that are displayed in many forms such as facing responsibilities, his speech, his actions, and etc. Holden’s outlook on adult life is that it is superficial and brimming with phonies, but childhood was all about looking pleasing and innocent. He wants everything to stay the same and for time to stop. As Holden progresses in age, he will discover more about becoming mature in the
Inner Conflict In The Catcher In The Rye
1788 Words | 8 PagesHe can't admit that he has to move on with life and commit his full concentration on his schoolwork, instead of dwelling on the past. For example Holden says, “I was only
Examples Of Role Confusion In Catcher In The Rye
711 Words | 3 PagesHolden Caulfield's Development When we are are small we were all raised differently which can affect us in different ways as Erik Erikson states “Personality development takes up an entire lifetime and has eight psychosocial stages. ” When we are adolescence (12 to 18) we are on our fifth stage and it is a crucial stage because this stage focus on identity vs. Role confusion and in this time it's when we find out who we are and what we want to be. But establishing an identity within society can lead to what Erik Erikson refers to as role confusion, “ Role confusion involves the individual not being sure about themselves or their place in society.” At the time of role confusion an adolescent may explore and experiment with different cultures
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