In every novel around the globe you can find carefully constructed paragraphs, written by the author to send a specific message to the readers. In The catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, one particular section overflows with symbolism, metaphors, and hidden messages. By analyzing the passage’s diction, setting, and selection of detail it is possible discern the less overt statements hidden in the text and reveal the turbulent nature of the main character, Holden Caulfield. The diction of this passage appears to be the key in unraveling Holden’s mood swings.
Rhetorical Précis 1: In his essay, “ Love and Death in The Catcher in the Rye” (1991), Peter Shaw claimed that Holden behavior and way of thinking is due to common abnormal behavior in a certain time for teenagers (par. 10). Shaw supported his assertion of the young Holden by comparing the literary culture of the 1950s and how Holden’s fictional character fits within the contemporary Americans novels as a, “ sensitive, psychological cripples but superior character” (par. 3). Shaw’s purpose was to show that Holden’s sensitive and psychological behavior is not abnormal, but such like stated by Mrs. Trilling that,” madness is a normal, even a better then normal way of life” (par 4). Peter Shaw’s tone assumed a highly educated audience who is
The Catcher in the Rye, Jerome D. Salinger’s one and only full novel, was written in 1951. Since then, it has sold more than 65 million copies and translated into most of the world’s major languages. This book tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a 16 year old who can’t seem to be able to stay at one school and despises the “phoniness” of adult-life. One day, he must grow up, but Salinger is there to lead him throughout the book. Salinger uses symbolism to convey a maturation theme in his work.
J.D. Salinger uses varying diction and syntax in “The Catcher in the Rye” to create mood and tone throughout the novel. The specific choice of words (diction) that the author uses contributes to the characterization of Holden Caulfield. The use of profane and jargon-like word choice encapsulates the voice of the teenage narrator Holden. Holden’s informal diction emphasizes his immaturity and allows the reader to learn more about Holden’s character. Holden often uses the word “and” in a repetitive manner which gives the reader a child-like impression of Holden.
The period of transition between adolescence and adulthood can diminish one’s innocence and positive outlook of life. The Catcher in the Rye depicts a seventeen year old boy’s struggle as he deals with the the hopelessness and tragedies of reality. J.D. Salinger weaves together a wistful novel that details the depressing life of Holden Caulfield. Through his creative usage of simple syntax, mundane setting, and relatable diction, Salinger concocts a story so wonderfully written that the reader feels the same heartache and anger that Holden does. Salinger combines the understandable diction with very simple and straightforward syntax.
In the book “Catcher in the Rye” the main protagonist and narrator of the novel is Holden Caulfield. Holden is a 17 year old telling us about his story last Christmas at age 16. At age 16, Holden was a junior at school. Holden is being kicked out for failing four of his five subjects. It was the last game of the year and Holden didn't go to the game to say goodbye to Spencer, his history teacher.
Andrei Nastase Grade 9 English Ms. van Der Meer The Struggles of Holden - The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger The Catcher in The Rye is a great book in the American Literature written for teenagers. The author, J.D. Salinger displays the boring life of Holden who is surrounded by people he does not like and calls them phonies. It is written from Holden’s point of view and it is about a week full of conflicts which change his whole life from that point on.
The famous novel, “The Catcher in the Rye'' by J.D. Salinger was first published in 1951, yet it still continues to be relevant to this day. Many find themselves relating to the main character of the book, Holden. Holden was a kid who got expelled from his school, then went to New York City and tried to live on his own. He encountered many problems and difficulties, which many relate to. Despite being over half a century old, the novel still remains relevant in present-day society because of its portrayal of the search for personal identity, growing up, and the struggles of mental health.
J.D. Salinger, in his novel The Catcher in the Rye, uses a variety of word and expressions to show the tone. The Tone in the novel is demonstrated as bitter and very cynical. First, the reader is introduced to holden. They see his actions and get a peek into his thinking. His character is quite harsh, he trust no one and he believes everyone but himself is a phony.
Teenagers often experience internal battles and struggle with taking action. In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger uses supporting characters to demonstrate the negative effects of Holden's inability to take action. J.D. Salinger uses the variety of characters to signify the effects of Holden's inability to take action and display the importance of this theme throughout the novel. J.D. Salinger demonstrates the concept of inaction through the interactions between Holden and his family, friends and strangers. While many teenagers struggle with internal issues, Holden Caulfied struggles with the inability to take action.
In chapter 25 of J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, when Holden is at Mr. Antolini’s house, Mr. Antolini gives Holden a quote on a piece of paper for him to quote. The quote was, ‘The mark of an 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 a one.’ The meaning behind this quote is that a person wanting to die in order to prove something is unreasonable, while wanting to live to prove something makes more of an impact. What the author of this quote is saying makes a lot of sense because when you are dead, there is nothing you can really do for whatever your cause is. If you try to live for a cause, on the other hand, you will actually be able to serve a purpose to the world.
In the Catcher in the Rye, Salinger depicts the immature mentality of typical teenagers through Holden’s childish curiosity. Teens experience
Without actually partaking in similar decisions as Holden, readers vicariously live through Holden and experience the failure Holden receives when he makes a wrong, uninformed decision. Opposers of this book’s teaching in high schools may argue that other more tasteful books teach the same lessons as The Catcher in the Rye in a nicer manner. Other books simply do not provide accurate societal lessons as straightforward and frequent as The Catcher in the Rye. The messages of other books can often be lost in irrelevant details of plot and the avoidance of clear themes while Salinger’s lessons apply directly to the lives of readers who are in direct
The Catcher in the Rye is, for lack of a better word, a controversial novel that remains so almost seventy years after it was penned down. Written from late 1940s to early 1950s, this post World War II novel constituted the only solitary work in the infamous oeuvre of J. D. Salinger. The specialty of this work is that it reflects the real life and personality of the author himself, and we can hope to understand him by following the protagonist. Another marked aspect of this novel is that it renders very polarizing thoughts in the minds of the readers, implying that they either hate the constant ranting of the protagonist, or inculcate the world views within their own personalities by the time they are done with the novel.
From the outset, I have to say that “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger has been one of the most important and influential pieces of literature I have ever read. At its core, the book is a superb coming of age novel which discusses several extremely powerful themes such as the difficulties of growing up, teenage angst and alienation and the superficiality, hypocrisy and pretension of the adult world. These themes resonated deeply with me and were portrayed excellently through the use of powerful symbolism and the creation of highly relatable and likable characters. One such character is Holden Caulfield whom the story both revolves around and is narrated by.
