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Advice In Catcher In The Rye

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Catcher in the Rye “People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to see our own way more clearly,” (Brendan Francais). Holden Caulfield narrates the novel, Catcher in The Rye from a Mental Hospital in Southern California. He narrates his life after getting kicked out of the Private School, Pencey Prep. Along the way Holden is given advice from many people, but he never takes it. “If” is a poem from Rudyard Kipling to his son giving him advice on how to be a ‘Man’. Much like the advice given to Holden is given in the book; Holden does not follow Kipling’s advice either. Advice that Kipling has given to his son, which Holden in the book does not …show more content…

Kipling advices his son to look at the big picture and that will make him a man. Holden shirks to think about what would happen if he got kicked out of Pencey Prep. Holden relates, “They gave me frequent warnings to start applying myself-especially around midterms, when my parents came up for a conference with old-Thurmer—but I didn’t do it. So I got the ax”, (Salinger 4). The tone of voice that Holden relates the story shows a lackadaisical attitude towards school and his parents. He does not look at the foreseeable consequences that would befall him if he fails out of Pencey Prep; he only pays attention to the present. An equally important example would be when Holden punches Stradlater after Stradlater comes back from his date with Jane. Holden claims, “This next part I don’t remember so hot. All I know is that I got up from the bed, like I was going down to the can or something, and then I tried to sock him…, the next thing I knew, I was on the goddamn floor and he was sitting on my chest, with his face all red”(Salinger 43). Holden has divulged to the readers the difference in between him and

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