Holden Caulfield Unreliable Narrator
Soha Tariq Ms. Mac ENG3U 6 March 2023 Holden Caulfield’s Psychoanalytic Examination One of the largest themes in Holden’s life is his inability to grow up. Throughout the book, many readers can tell that Holden lacks maturity, and is obviously afraid of adulthood. This can be portrayed by how Holden says, “The best thing, though, in that museum was the everything always stayed right where it was.” (Salinger, 121). This shows how he wants everything to stay in place, such as himself, meaning not growing up. This quote also represents his desire to resist change and his preference for purity in childhood over the unpredictable nature of maturing/adulthood. A symbol that was reoccurring throughout the book were the ducks in central …show more content…
To be more specific, he can be considered as the “Naïf” type, also known as naïve. Many scenes throughout the book suggest that Holden is naïve. His naïve tendencies are portrayed usually through his obsession with labelling most people he meets, “phonies”. Holden said, “One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies.” (Salinger, 13). 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.” (Salinger, 96). This shows how Holden is naïve towards the subject of sex, since he thinks he’s ready, but he’s not. Furthermore, proving he’s afraid to grow up. As the book progresses, Holden stresses childhood innocence. He tells Phoebe that, “I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.” (Salinger, 173). His obsession with being the catcher in the rye shows that he didn't want children to get caught up in the corrupt and complex world of adulthood, so he desired them to stay kids and preserve their innocence. Thus, proving Holden is naïve to the idea of losing his childhood innocence, since he’s being “forced” into
Similarities Between Catcher In The Rye And It's Kind Of A Funny Story
1077 Words | 5 PagesHolden is a very judgemental and immature character and often has vulgar language. Holden often criticizes everyone he comes in contact with and does not try to comprehend the mindset they may have. His childish nature and vocabulary are what make most of his comments laughable. “It was funny. You could tell the waiter didn’t like her much, you could tell even the Navy guy didn’t like her much, even though he was dating her.
Is Holden Caulfield Reliable
1050 Words | 5 PagesHe thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he's a kid until he realizes it doesn't last forever. Another instance of this is when Holden explains to the reader where he says “You take a really smart girl, and half the time she's trying to lead you around the dance floor, or else she's such a lousy dancer, the best thing to do is stay at the table and just get drunk with her. ”(Salinger PDF 44). Holden messes around in things he shouldn't do or even care for but it affects him.
Examples Of Phony In Catcher In The Rye
969 Words | 4 PagesThe trouble is, you wouldn't” states Holden. In the Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger includes many different times when Holden is trying his best protecting the innocence of kids. Holden’s view on everybody as phony urges him to save the innocence of children because they have the qualities that most adults don’t have. In the novel, Holden loves children.
How Does Holden Present The Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
1076 Words | 5 PagesIn the novel The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger uses the main character Holden Caulfield to portray the loss of innocence. Holden is a teenage boy who struggles with adulthood and the innocence of being a child. Through Holden's experiences, Salinger shows that the loss of innocence can be painful and difficult, but it is also necessary for personal growth and maturity. Holden's journey towards loss of innocence is shown by several events, such as his expulsion from Pencey Prep School and his roams in New York City. Holden's expulsion from Pencey is a turning point in the novel, as it marks the beginning of his realization that he can no longer hold on to the innocence of childhood.
Holden's Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
776 Words | 4 PagesHolden Caulfield dreams of being a “catcher in the rye”. This job would entail preventing small children from accidentally skipping, running, or hopping off a cliff. We are led to believe that the edge of this cliff is adolescence, with adulthood waiting below, claiming the innocence and joy of those who fall victim to it. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden frequently expresses his thoughts, including thoughts on politics, Lillian Simmon’s “knockers”, phonies, and the loss of innocence. He seems almost fascinated with innocence, whether he recognizes it or not.
Examples Of Obsession In The Great Gatsby
718 Words | 3 PagesIn more depth, this quotes shows his need to save children like his sister phoebe or his dead brother Allie from losing their childhood innocence and becoming adults which he believes are all phonies. In reality, Holden is one person so he can not be the catcher in the rye; despite that he keeps trying to be till he reaches a loin where he is truly lost in touch with reality and blinded. He does however realize that in the back of his mind, which is what leads him on such a destructive path of competing with himself constantly on meeting the idea he believes he is. He does this by drinking, smoking, becoming involved in fights and even attempting to have meaninglessness sexual encounters. However in the end he comes to the realization that he can not be the catcher in the rye despite what he’s done, and what triggers this realization for him is when he sees the word “Fuck you” on the walls of phoebe’s school.
Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
1065 Words | 5 PagesFor example when Holden sees all the naughty words on the walls of the elementary school that Phoebe goes to, he wants to try and erase them. This shows how he struggles with allowing young minds to be corrupted by things he feels they shouldn’t be exposed to, like when he says “I thought how Phoebe and all the other kids would see it, and how they’d wonder what the hell it meant,...” (201). He goes on to say how some dirty kid would tell them, furthering the thought that their young minds would be corrupted. Another example is when Phoebe asks Holden to tell her one thing he really likes and his response is, Allie and sitting there talking with Phoebe. This shows his contentedness with being in the simple and innocent world of his childhood.
Holden Caulfield Adulthood
1365 Words | 6 PagesNo one wants to grow up. The transitions from innocent childhood, to fearless adolescence, to sudden real and terrifying adulthood is enough to scare anyone. So, because of this, people have a natural desire to want to protect innocence, or perhaps to even stop time and live young and free forever. J.D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye portrays this dilemma of becoming an adult and the protection of innocence through the story of Holden Caulfield. Holden’s story is essentially that of a teenage boy bumming around New York City for a few days in search of someone to listen to him about his fears of becoming an adult.
Examples Of Thematic Essay On The Catcher In The Rye
1107 Words | 5 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye Thematic Essay Imagine living a lonesome life, full of fear and little hope of better days to come. Imagine the toll this would take on a person’s life and how they develop as a person. For Holden Caulfield, the main character of J.D Salinger’s classic The Catcher in the Rye this, is his reality. Holden is a sixteen year old troubled boy suffering through major mental issues and living a rather a depressing life for a teenager. Throughout the novel he goes through many hardships that only worsen his depression making him feel hatred towards his seemingly hellish world.
Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
1222 Words | 5 PagesHolden became this way due to past traumatic events that he can’t let go of. Without these events, Holden is a normal kid who is still in school and isn't completely insane, causing all of the world's problems. But after many friends attempted to make him sane again, nothing seemed to work, and you could tell he completely lost it. Although Holden’s mental state is never specifically disclosed, it is clear that Salinger intended on describe Holden as a troubled, and even insane, individual.
Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
1654 Words | 7 PagesHolden really steps out of the norms during this time. Since everyone was doing the same thing, while Holden was not, it was very strange and hard for others to connect with him. The adults in the world didn’t understand what children like him wanted and children like Holden didn’t understand why the adults were following certain ideals. This led to Holden thinking the adult world was phony. The quote by Godwin as stated above is something that leads Holden to do what he does.
Imagined And Real Traumas Affecting Holden Cawfield
1074 Words | 5 Pages“If you do something too good, then, after a while, if you don’t watch it, you start showing off. And then your not as good anymore.” (Salinger 140) Holden hates how phony adults are, and how they are all acting a part. He will always take a dislike to his own childhood experiences, but he does everything he can to protect others from experiencing bad moments. Holden never had the childhood he dreamed of, and he holds onto the hope that he can provide innocence for Phoebe.
Essay On Phony In Catcher In The Rye
714 Words | 3 PagesHe is constantly in denial and thinks that everything else is to blame for his own problems. Holden always has an excuse to justify his action. When he left his old school he said, “One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. That’s all” (17). Holden is basically saying here that he left his old school not because he is not smart but it was because he could not stand the people there.
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
Examples Of Holden In Catcher In The Rye
808 Words | 4 PagesIn J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden can't seem to grasp the idea of growing up even though he is aging. Throughout the book, we see his struggle with wanting to say a child but knowing he has to grow up. This is evident by his unwillingness to take responsibility for his actions and his struggle to act maturely in situations that require him to be so. Holden showcases his struggle with being
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