While many argue that Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye does not deviate from the traditional anti-hero attributes and, therefore, does not display any prominent change, an argument can be made to the contrary. Holden Caulfield goes through some noticeable character development and is in a better place emotionally at the end of the book because he speaks with Phoebe. His meeting with Phoebe and Phoebe’s message to him shows him a youth’s perspective on his world, rather than the superficial sincerity of his elderly professor and his favorite teacher that makes advances on him. Additionally, him being able to successfully communicate with a member of his own family puts him in a better place. His time with her lets him see his own self-image of a “catcher in the rye.” By, Holden has been able to change and will be able to change even more in the future.
People have to grow up eventually. It is not a choice, but a certainty. The protagonist of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, struggles to accept this fact. He agonizes over the loss of his innocence.
We see Holden’s fear of phonies shine throughout The Catcher in the Rye. Why does he have this fear? Shouldn’t someone who acts tough and often brags know that they will never become a phony? The answer would be yes if Holden wasn’t so insecure. Holden’s childish ways cause him to never mature and figure out who he is as a person.
In the story “The Catcher In The Rye”, by J.D. Salinger many influences about alienation can be made throughout the chapters. Holden Caulfield is a wealthy teen who is confused about himself and where he would fit in life. Although Holden goes to a private school where he would find common interests with other kids who are in the same financial state as him he is pretty isolated. Holden tends to hate confrontation, throughout the novel and always is about to do something but chooses in the end to not.
In the novel catcher in the rye, Holden doesn’t like school "Well... they'll be pretty irritated about it," I said. "They really will. This is about the fourth school I've gone to." I shook my head. I shake my head quite a lot.
Holden Caulfield is a sixteen-year old boy that hates a lot of things. He attends a school named Pencey where he got kicked out because he had very poor grades. The only class he actually likes is English class. He doesn’t care that he got kicked out because he thinks that a bunch of “phonies” go to that school anyways. In J.D Salinger’s novel the Catcher in the Rye, Holden is affected by his two brothers Allie, and D.B.
Holden deals with relentless insecurities and a struggle with his identity. Also, Holden is immensely curious and frightened by the idea of sex. The Catcher in the Rye deals with several topics that are similar to those faced by teenagers in the 21st century, including persistent insecurities and the revelation of sex. Insecurities are a struggle that the majority
In Salinger’s novel Catcher in the Rye Holden is not portrayed as a good role model for teenagers, but still he strives to protect the innocent (Salinger, 1946:156). Literary critics and Whitfield (2011: 184) acknowledge that Holden lacks the determination to try and change society. Holden can be seen as too young to make an effort in trying to change society (Whitfield, 2011: 185; Baumbach, 2011: 265). Whitfield (2011: 186) describes Holden Caulfield as a misfit. Even though he is a “misfit” he still tries to make a change; by wearing his red hunting hat; befriending the friendless; respecting those who are kind, loyal and humble.
How would you feel if you were outcasted by society, looked down upon by everyone else around you, never to fit in. This is the life that Holden Caulfield has to live. Holden Caulfield is a character in the book, The Catcher In the Rye, that is viewed as a misfit but assigned this label by society around him. Holden just has a different perspective on the world than everyone else, causing him to be seen as lower than everyone else. Holden doesn't believe in how materialistic things make you happy, he doesn't agree with people pretending to be someone that they truly are not, and he wants to protect children from the world and keep their innocence for as long as he can.
Chris and Holden, two brothers from a different mother In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a wealthy sixteen year old who is in confusion of where he belongs in life. Holden has gone to many top notch boarding schools, but the result has been the same at each one, the expulsion of Holden. He is going to down a slippery slope to adulthood and does not know how to prevent it. Chris Griffin, eldest son of Peter Griffin, is a fourteen year old who does not have a social life and academic career.