Essay about The Catcher in the Rye

Holden allows the reader to hypothesize that he is attracted to a girl named Jane Gallagher, by constantly telling of his fond memories of her, but when push comes to shove his tendency to alienation himself from society, to "protect himself from losing his innocence", takes him over. On page 116 of the novel, Holden tells the reader that after he got his sister a record he went to a phone booth and called Jane's house. But when her mother picked up the phone he hung up. Holden tells the reader that he "didn't feel like getting into a long conversation with her mother" so he hung up but in reality Holden's personal preference of alienating himself frightened him and prevented him of making any contact with Jane.

Topic 2-Holden avoids facing the death of his brother keeping the in this cycle of grief.

7) Page 14: Notice how Holden is disgusted or annoyed by all the aspects of Spencer that demonstrate his old age: “the bumpy chest”, the “house smelling like Vicks”, the man not being able to “flick a book on a bed”, his “stooped figure”. In the beginning of the chapter he wonders what purpose Spencer even has in still being alive.

Holden's younger sister Phoebe, is also in need of Holden's protection. He must protect her because he failed to protect his brother Allie from death. Holden feels that it is his responsibility to protect Phoebe from whatever may put her in danger, even himself: "I was glad. All of a sudden I wanted her to cry till her eyes practically dropped out. I almost hated her. I think I hated her most because she wouldn't be in that play any more if she went away with me." (207) He does not want Phoebe to turn out like himself. He wants

Although Holden describes the situation in a very attractive manner, he basically tells Phoebe that he wants to prevent children from growing up. He blames the world's evil on adults and believes that when he stops the children from growing up he will save their innocence and the world.

Throughout the novel, Holden attempts to find the true from of himself as he struggles with the social interactions around him. Due to the struggle and confusion that arouses from it,

His loneliness makes him feel depressed and willing to die. At his hotel, Holden decides to hire a prostitute: “She didn’t care what the hell my name was, naturally” (105). Normally one would go to a prostitute for sex, but Holden is solely focused on finding company. He is looking for any kind of connection or relationship between him and this stranger, but she is only willing to talk business. He is feeling so deserted that his best prospect for company is a prostitute who does not even care about him. He knows prostitutes are considered among the worst of people, and they are also illegal. However, Holden loses perspective in terms of the way he sees himself in comparison to others. Now thinking that he is now on the same level as prostitutes in society. Holden grasps onto relationships with people like prostitutes (and later taxi drivers) because no one is there for him like Allie was. It is almost as if Holden is trying to recreate his relationship with Allie. Although he can not find anyone nearly as special or satisfying, so therefore he reverts towards ending his life. He describes the lobby of the hotel that he is staying at as empty and full of dead cigars, leaving him feeling lonely and frustrated as he says: “I was feeling sort of lousy. Depressed and all. I almost wished I was dead” (101). When his emotions start to

When he met up with Sally, Holden was so excited. He got to the meeting place early and eagerly awaited her arrival. Instead of going to see a movie, as previously planned, they went ice skating. Sally and Holden have a wonderful time ice skating. After skating, and during dinner, Holden has this peculiar idea about moving away with Sally to Massachusetts or Vermont. She firmly rejects the idea. “Why not, why the hell not?” says Holden (132). Holden has a strong negative reaction to Sally, asking her why she won’t go with him. Holden acted in an irrational manner. After they argue Sally leaves him abruptly. Holden’s unrealistic request and overreaction to Sally’s response was induced by his depression.

Holden’s date with Sally Hayes exhibited his difficulty at cooperating with others. At first he gives us a dire impression of Sally, “I wasn’t too crazy about her, but I’d known her for years.” (p. 105) Later, he wants to marry Sally and says he is in love with her. The biggest mystery of all when it comes to women is with Jane Gallagher. Constantly mentioning Jane, Holden recalls playing checkers with her before he got sent to boarding school. When his roommate, Stradlater, has a date with Jane, Holden asks him a peculiar question, “Did you ask her if she still keeps all her kings in the back row?” (p. 42) Holden, jealous of Stradlater’s date with Jane, longs to see Jane but never has the courage to call her. Interactions with other people especially women perplex and overwhelm Holden. He therefore resorts to isolation, illustrating a characteristic of his mental state.

Readers are able to sympathize and identify with Holden’s rowdy behavior: making immature decisions, breaking relationships, and wanted to act more like an adult. Because of this, the audience recognizes Holden as a speaker for the young generation, no matter what year. Moreover, Holden represents the teenage rebellion and angst that

Since Holden got kicked out of Ossenburger hall because he is failing four out of his five classes, he cannot go home until Christmas break starts. He wonders into New York for a couple of days to hang out. Holden decides to go to a bar a get drunk to pass the time. Well, he does find

4) I really don't understand what is happening here because I don't know what is the purpose of being the catcher in the rye. This event seems important because it shows what Holden wants to come to save or catch everyone that is ready to fall off the

His sister was happy to see him but she was mad because he was kicked out from his school. His sisters asks him what he want do to with his life. Holden tells her that he picture a field of rye where he sees a children playing in it. At the end of the field he sees a giant cliff, and says he would be the guy to them. He ends the story by saying he wishes that had not told us this story because it makes him miss all of the people

We get to know Holden as an impulsively and irrational decisions maker as well as a compulsive liar.

Holden believes that seeking seclusion will allow him to escape society and forget his troubles. On the night when events took a turn for the worst, when he leaves Pencey,