Catcher in the Rye Essay

The first time that Holden really declares to the reader his tendency of alienation is during his conversation with Mr. Spencer. Spencer

Teenage years are difficult. Time tells this story of struggle again and again. The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel showing the struggles a teenager goes through while transitioning into adulthood. The main character, Holden Caulfield, is a judgmental and temperamental boy who struggles to see the positivity in life. Throughout the story, Holden searches to find himself, as he feels forced to grow up. He holds onto aspects of his childhood and isolates himself so much that it is even harder for him to transition. J.D. Salinger uses the red hunting hat, the museum and cigarettes as important symbols in the story to convey the themes of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, loneliness, and isolation.

Holden Caufield emphasizes on the loss of innocence in children. He feels that once they lose their innocence, they will soon turn into phonies like everyone else. The loss of innocence is very common in the development in human existence. It is caused by many factors. Past a certain age, children are either forced or led unintentionally into a pathway of corruption. A child is also known to lose their innocence by desires, fantasies, and attention. But once they lose their innocence, they tend to desire to go back and pretend to be young again. In the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden discusses the importance of innocence in children's lives. He feels that once a child loses his/her innocence, he/she will soon be leaded to a

He must convince himself and others that he is a very important figure and he does this by denying his insecurities.

Holden is in a cab on his way to Ernie’s and after he asks the driver with Holden. When Holden asks why he is “sore” about it, the cab driver denies being upset. Holden seems to constantly anger people throughout the story due to his blunt way of addressing topics and his inability to see the positive side of things. The cab driver on the other hand, is clearly upset, but is instead choosing to be passive aggressive by denying his anger. I do not like when people are passive aggressive. I would much rather someone talk to me directly and maturely if they are upset.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a story about growing up. It explores the obstacles we all face during our transition from child to adulthood. The tragedies and triumphs, the breakthroughs and setbacks, the happiness and heartache. As you follow the book's protagonist, Holden, through his journey into adulthood, you learn about his life, but more importantly, you learn about your own. You grow to sympathize with the young rebel, and you begin to see traces of yourself in him.

Many times throughout the book Holden starts having strong feelings for a particular person for no reason at all. It is very confusing for

In Holden’s mind there are three people in particular Holden knows who are the innocent people. These people are Phoebe, Holden s younger sister, Jane, Holden’s friend from summer, and Allie, Holden’s younger brother that passed away. Phoebe, who Holden loves very much, has always appeared nice to Holden. Holden is very attached to Phoebe and would do anything to save her from the horrible world that he has expired to. The thing that Holden does not realize is that goodness is not forever. It is only a matter of time before one becomes dishonest.

Silverberg, Mark. "You Must Change Your Life: Formative Responses to the Catcher in the Rye." Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 243, Gale, 2008. Literature Criticism Online, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/UGTZGE555899909/GLS?u=avlr&sid=GLS&xid=6449beca. Accessed 2 May 2018. Originally published in In The Catcher in the Rye: New Essays, edited by J. P. Steed, Peter Lang, 2002, pp. 7-32.

childhood because of the way he thinks and how different he is from the normal people he grew

refuses to come to terms with the sexual feelings that he has for other men by

Common themes in the book, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger are sexual confusion and loss of innocence. As a 16-year-old boy, Holden Caulfield struggles to find himself throughout the entirety of the book. After he fails out of many schools, and has to deal with the heavy weight of the death of his brother, he is profoundly confused about his fast approaching future, which ultimately leads to unstable and rash decisions. Being a teenage boy, Holden is very interested in sex, in much of the book he tries to lose his virginity. Confused and intrigued, Holden pursues many unknown women, yet cannot follow through. He has many mixed feelings on how to deal with his sexually driven desires.  As the book continues, Holden turns out to be a sensitive

last time he felt this bad but he knew it would lead to some type of destruction in his life.

finally faces his fatal error has some acceptance the death of his close friend. In

violence, which creates in him feelings of guilt, fear, resentment, hatred, low self-esteem, a lot of