Catcher in the Rye- Holden as a Dynamic Character Essay example

Holden has numerous distinct attributes pertaining to both childhood and adulthood. His transition from growing and relational life, to an uncontrolled spiritual realm, this stresses him. He has instances of introspection that helps him encompass a realization for his own livelihood. When he shares with his sister Phoebe what he would sincerely like to do with his life he says “I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.” (Salinger 173) That quote reveals the reasoning for the title of the book because Holden wants nothing more than to protect the innocence of children.

In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the world as an evil and corrupt place where there is no peace. His view of the world does not change much through the novel. However as the novel continues, Holden gradually comes to the realization that he is powerless to change this.

In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s outlook in life is either the innocence of childhood or the cruelty of adulthood. He believes that the innocence of childhood is very valuable and it should be protected from

Holden announces that “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around” (Salinger 213). He starts crying on the bench when he understands that Phoebe is growing up and he cannot be her Catcher in the Rye to protect her innocence because that would most likely cause more harm than good. That realization makes him ecstatic because he no longer feels as if he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders as he is able to see that all children will eventually fall out of innocence into adulthood. On the other hand, Holden feels his own loss of innocence as he shares an innocent moment with Phoebe who remains clueless to the harsh reality of life but he is now able to accept that loss and the change to come. Ultimately, Holden does not feel as if he has to continue alienating himself from society because he feels the obligation to be part of it as well. During this moment, the rain mirrors his tears of joy which are helping to wash away the mistakes of the past and bringing growth for renewal and this acceptance to moving forward allows him to seek the necessary help. A third way that Holden grows and obtains maturity in The Catcher in the Rye is when he no longer denies

The red hunting hat is the same colour as Holden’s younger siblings Phoebe and Allie’s hair - red. This is not a coincidence as these characters are two of the people that Holden values and appreciates the most in his life. The hunting hat brings out the qualities that Holden admires most in Phoebe and Allie, one of them being their unique red hair. The hat specifically plays a key role in the changing relationship between Phoebe and Holden. Throughout the story, Holden has consistently mentioned Phoebe and has left readers wondering about her character. Closer to the end of the novel, Holden finally comes back to his apartment and has a conversation with Phoebe. During their talk, they discuss Holden’s views on society, as well as his likes. Holden decides to “[take his] red hunting hat out of [his] pocket and [give] it to Phoebe” (198). At first, she [does not] want to take it, but [Holden makes] her” (199). This exchange grants the idea that Holden is not afraid of phoniness anymore, so there is no need for him to alienate and protective himself with the red hunting hat. He feels that Phoebe can benefit more from the hat and the protection that is associated with it. Holden often talks about wanting to be a “catcher in the rye,” and save young children from losing their innocence, similarly to how the hat saves him from phoniness. One of

Without the hat, he does not know what would become of him. The hat protects Holden from what he thinks is a horrible adult world. An example of this is when Holden got defensive after Ackley insulted his headwear saying “that’s a deer shooting hat”. Holden, while calm, said “I shoot people in this hat”(The Catcher in the Rye). While this was lighthearted in context, it could represent a deeper meaning that Holden treats people the same way he would a deer, with no remorse (Kestler, Justin). The way Holden gets defensive to Ackley’s insults and even brings it into a darker area shows that Holden thinks of this hat as a defense mechanism. He believes he is untouchable whenever he wears it; it almost becomes his alter ego (“Themes and Construction: The Catcher in the Rye.”). The way Holden acts towards this hat is comparable to the way a child would. Holden perceives the hat as the equivalent of a security blanket (“Themes and Construction: The Catcher in the Rye”). Holden never lets the hat leave his side because he would be lost without it. He always carries it with him no matter where he

Everyone in the society can have some influences in any way, negatively or positively. In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden encounters many people throughout his journey. These relationships he has influence his view of the world, allowing him to mature from someone who dislikes the shallow cruel world to understanding this is how life is. This development is shown through "phonies" he meets throughout the novel, his brother Allie, and his sister Phoebe.

There is also a sense of self-consciousness that surrounds the hat as well. Holden never fails to mention when he is going to wear the hat and even removes the hat when he is going to be around people he knows, because "it was corny" but he "liked it that way." His self-consciousness of his hat therefore introduces a new component to the theme: Holden's want for isolation versus his desire for companionship.

However, as the novel nears the end, Holden experiences his pivotal moment and takes on a different perspective of life. Rather than just going through with his plan of isolating himself from the superficial society, Holden decides to stay and face it, with its adulthood and phoniness. Seeing Phoebe attempt to grab the gold ring along with other kids, Holden thinks to himself, “I was... afraid she’d fall off... but I didn’t say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it... If they fall off, they fall off” (211). Holden reaches the conclusion that he can’t be a catcher. He can only watch the children and in no way can he avert them from committing their own wrongdoings; he is not able to save them from shedding their innocence as they grow older and they will eventually. Releasing himself from the task, “[Holden] felt so damn happy” (213). A burden has lifted as he liberates himself from such a responsibility. He doesn’t have to carry the weight of executing the responsibility he shackled himself with, one that greatly affected him mentally. He knows that he does not have to keep up this pretense anymore.

     Throughout “The Catcher in the Rye”, Holden Caufield longs for intimacy with other human beings. One of Holden’s main problems is that he sees childhood as the ideal state of being. He thinks that all adults are phonies.

    J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is the chronicle of a young man's metamorphosis from immaturity to unsure manhood. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is a sixteen-year old boy who leaves the prep school he has been expelled from to escape the frightening reality of dealing with his parents. However, during his visit to New York City he is faced with the harsh reality that he cannot continue to hold onto his childhood. Holden is an extremely complex character and it is only by examining each layer of him that the reader is able to understand his painful metamorphosis.

Holden Caulfield plays a timeless character in the sense that his way of life is common for the American teenager, in his time as well as now. Today parents dread the terrible and confusing adolescent years of their child's life. In J.D. Salinger's book, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden is in this terrible and confusing point of his life. At this point in his life, as well as in modern teenager's lives, a transition occurs, from child to adult. Holden takes this change particularly rough and develops a typical mentality that prevents him from allowing himself to see or understand his purpose in life.

Holden’s hunting hat represent many things( protection, isolation...) but ultimately it leads to one thing, his growth. Holden acts like a child for most of his story. We catch glimpses of him growing but truly he evolves at the end. While Phoebe is at the carousel he realizes that you have to give up things to keep the people you love happy. He concedes that hat to Phoebe, the hat that has protection him from evil itself. He stepping out of himself and sacrificing something for your loved. He finally understands that you have to let kids “ fall” in order for them to get back up. He realizes that growing up is all part of life and everyone is bound to do it sometime.

In the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist Holden Caulifield views the world as an evil corrupt place where there is no peace. Holden has a phony phobia that restricts him from becoming a fully matured adult. In Holden's attempted journey in becoming a fully matured adult, he encounters many scenarios involving friendship, personal opinions, and his love of children. His journey is an unpleasant and difficult one with many lessons learned along the way; including the realization that he is powerless to change the world.

The author has put in plenty of themes, messages, ideas, issues, and motifs. The character, Holden Caulfield is alienated from society, is experiencing the painfulness of growing up, thinks that the adult world is full of phoniness, and is sick of hearing about the American Dream from his teachers. JD Salinger has created a book that has raised plenty of questions and controversy towards the readers. The Catcher in the Rye shows how a teenage mind works. JD Salinger has used a stream of consciousness writing style where the character (Holden Caulfield) talks in first person as he presents his thoughts and feelings to the readers. The setting has taken place in the early fifties and the book uses a lot of profane words. The New York