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Research Paper Outline For The Catcher In The Rye

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Lead- [Authors widely use symbols to give the reader a greater understanding of the themes shown in a book. Symbols are the gateway for readers to allow them to recognize a brighter symbolic aspect further deepening the themes found in a novel.] Thesis: In the novel The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger, Holden resists the process of maturity as he is evidently troubled by adulthood throughout the novel. 1. Museum of natural history: Topic sentence: The symbolic recognition of the museum is that it portrays his inability to accept adulthood. Point: Holden associates the museum with good memories as a child as he admires how the objects inside don't change over time which relates to his resistance to maturity. Proof: When Holden …show more content…

Point: Holden is unable to entirely understand transition into adulthood and accept the fact that he cannot always be a kid. Proof: “Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway” (Salinger,122). Comment: Holden proves that the symbolic meaning behind the museum's display’s appeal to him because he doesn't like the idea of adapting and moving forward. This exhibits how he’d like to be able to preserve certain things forever such as his childhood but you cannot because it's impossible. This shows how holden is aware that certain things are impossible to be avoided no matter how much it makes sense, he’s symbolising that no matter how certain things should stay forever encased and left alone, it's impossible because it's unavoidable. Concluding sentence: Holden is troubled due to his refusal to change. He’s afraid of moving on and transitioning into …show more content…

Holden's thoughts of children finding out what a curse word is makes him believe that this will ‘corrupt’ the minds of children and create a fear towards it. Holden is concerned with the minds of the children because he once was a child and lost his innocence so he tries to preserve other children's innocence by getting rid of the profanity due to its corrupt and filthy meaning behind it which would take away the children's innocence and replace it with corruption. The thought that a child was most likely to take out the act, proves how holden is unknown of the capabilities of children therefore questioning Holden's

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