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- Destruction In J. D. Salinger's Catcher In The Rye

Decent Essays

Self-destruction. It is a path upon no one wishes to embark upon, nevertheless, some, invariably, will enter this tailspin of both physical and psychological deterioration. Such degradation is aptly demonstrated in J. D. Salinger’s coming of age tale, Catcher in the Rye, as the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, wanders New York, alone, for three days. Facing intense solitude, substance abuse, and the lingering memory of his younger brother’s death, he becomes extremely depressed, repeatedly considering suicide. Through his use of imagery and streams of consciousness, J. D. Salinger is able to convey Holden’s worsening mental state throughout the novel. In the beginning of this novel, a disgruntled air is created through the Holden’s expositional

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