novels of the 20th century, The Catcher in the Rye has affected readers around the globe since its publication in 1951. Its contemporary critics, however, gave the novel mixed reviews. Compared to the ideals of 1950s America, Holden Caulfield, the emotionally immature, extremely judgmental, teen-aged main character of “Catcher,” embodies the antithesis. Holden was an affront to the new social order, which demanded conformity and propagated the “father knows best” mentality. Americans, however, despite
Jerome David Salinger’s only novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is based on the life events shaping main character, Holden Caulfield, into the troubled teen that is telling the story in 1950. The theme of the story is one of emotional disconnection felt by the alienated teenagers of this time period. The quote, “ I didn’t know anyone there that was splendid and clear thinking and all” (Salinger 4) sets the tone that Holden cannot find a connection with anyone around him and that he is on a lonely endeavor
disappears from Holden’s life his life becomes a frantic worry of another travesty. Holden's world consists of fear and depression because of the possibility “people will not mourn him long, no longer than they mourned Allie, and life in the phony world will go on without him. Like Allie he will lie in the cemetery exposed to the elements” (Miller 69). Holden’s anguish emanates from the loss of himself in the world and the world’s reaction to it rather than the loss of another
George Moore For most people, the death of a relative causes a period of despair that can last a lifetime. In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In the Rye, an adolescent 's tightly knit relationship with a family member results in a long-lasting impression on his life; Holden, a young, psychologically lost youth struggles in life after the recent death of his brother, Allie. While he was alive, Allie maintained a positive outlook, assisting Holden in retaining not only his innocence but his happiness
protagonists Juno and Holden of movie Juno and the book Catcher in the Rye, have main thing in common, they have not yet accepted the fact they play a role in society, communicating with the people around them, and with their families. Where they differ is in the problems they face. Juno's main problem is that she becomes pregnant at a young age which is considered to be a life changing event by societal standards. The main source of Holden’s problems comes from result of the death of his little brother
indecisively aiming for one and unwillingly fitting into another, leading to a perception of themselves as failures. Conforming is neither a good nor bad element of life, merely a result of pursuing individuality and distinctiveness. ‘The Cather in the Rye’ presents this through Holden Caulfield, and the mental turmoil he experiences as a result of his non-intentional conformation. Throughout the novel, Holden attempts to distinguish himself from all the ‘phonies’ he so ever-presently witnesses around