Loneliness In The Catcher In The Rye

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” (Stephen Hawking). Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a book written about the life and adventure of young boy named Huckleberry Finn (Huck) and his companion, Jim. Though Huck has hardly any education, there is no denying that he is very intelligent. Huck’s companion, Jim, has no education, however you can still see his sharp logic, quick wit, and deep wisdom. Though today many believe that education is what makes a person intelligent and successful, Mark Twain does a great job showing that even though Jim and Huck do not have high levels of education they both show high level thinking.

“Jerry” from the story “President Cleveland, Where Are You?” by Robert Cormier, is a sympathetic character to onlookers due to his shortcomings, as well as his strengths, are ones with which many readers can identify. He learned a lot from his brother Armand by getting matured and by gaining the knowledge that helping his family is far more important than helping himself. The speaker from the poem “My Father Is a Simple Man” by Luis Omar Salinas, admires and respects his father a great deal. The speaker does not describe his father as particularly humorous or lively. Yet what he lacks in energy he seems to make up for with patience and dignity.

J.D Salinger, in the novel The Catcher in the Rye demonstrates how Holden is affected by the tragic death of his brother Allie. Allie’s death is the root of Holden’s depression and negative choices. The first literary device J.D Salinger utilizes is Holden Caulfield's character. Allie's death at a young age may have resulted in Holden not wanting to grow up himself. This is shown through Holden's continuous expulsions from numerous schools.

Following his second call with his mother, Hally becomes emotionally unstable, venting out his frustrations on his servants. When Sam finally snaps and retaliates after Hally’s racist joke, Hally reveals his true feelings towards his father. After Sam recalls a memory in which he carried Hally’s drunk father back home with little Hally by his side, Hally finally admits, “I love him” (58). Hally’s hatred towards his father is not genuine, but derives from shame. Hally is embarrassed of his father’s drinking habits, but even more ashamed of the night when his black servant had to carry his drunk father back home and clean up the mess he made in his pants.

Within the novel ‘Catcher in the Rye’ by J. D. Salinger, the character of Holden Caulfield, has been presented as a complex character. His life begins in turmoil, due to the death of his little brother. Holden despises the loss of innocence among children, which is shown through his vivid thoughts of catching children, preventing them from falling into adulthood. He later struggles academically and socially, he fails school and struggles to socialise. He experiences physical and emotional collapse later in the novel when he feels like he’s disappearing from society.

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.

Salinger, the main character, Holden Caulfield’s younger brother Allie died from leukemia. The death of Allie shapes Holden and molds him into the man he is throughout the novel.

Suffering from these things you may have some issues that make you feel that way. For example, Holden Caulfield is a troubled teen who struggles with isolation and loneliness. He isolates himself from people due to being depressed, but he talks to many people but still feels lonely. Another example is Jim Stark, another troubled teen who is being isolated by his parents

Rowdy declined. Although Arnold couldn’t see this about himself at first, he was “nomadic” (230). He had such a bright future that he was making for himself through poverty, through depression, through grief. And in the end, Arnold still came out to be the most successful and fulfilled character in Alexie’s novel. Arnold may be a “freak,” poor, and face unimaginable hardship, but he could always find joy in his life somehow without a wad of cash.

As the film progresses we see a shift in George’s personality and behaviour towards his family. He grows cold, emotionally and physically; not only does he physically complain about being cold throughout the film, but he has become distant towards Kathy and their children. The house can be identified as the cause of this coldness but physically and emotionally. Under the influence of the house George transforms into sick, violent, aggressive, verbally and physically abusive individual. George’s behaviour is normalized and explained away as stress due to moving but his family, coworkers and friends notice these erratic personality changes.