Growing Up, The Catcher in the Rye - 859 Words

A young man going through puberty, not knowing what he is doing or where he is headed, in a world in which he feels he doesnt belong in, and feels he is always around a bunch of phonies. This would describe the position of Holden Caulfield, the main character in The Catcher in the Rye (1951) written by J.D. Salinger. The book, all narrated by Holden in first person, in its very unique and humorous style, is about Holden, and all the troubles he has encountered through school, family, friends, and basically life. Holden has been expelled from a private school in Pennsylvania because of failing classes, and decides to go to New York for three days before going home to his disappointed parents. At the beginning of the novel, Holden†¦show more content†¦I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over†(13). Knowing it or not, Holden is curious about the ducks in the lagoon, because he himself doesn’t know where he is going, or how he is going to get there. He has been kicked out of numerous schools, and he needs a scapegoat such as the lagoon freezing over in order to find out where it is he is going. Holden shows the reader how disgusted and disturbed he is by this adult world in which he is growing into. He wishes to stay young, and keep everything simple, and to keep away from all the â€Å"phonies† out there. After recalling all the people he has met, and admitting how sick he is, Holden realizes that he is just as phony as everybody else. He ends the story, adding,† Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody†(214). Works Cited: Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Bantam,Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Growing Up In The Catcher In The Rye741 Words   |  3 Pages The most convincing journey of Growing Up is Holden in The Catcher in The Rye, due to his constant encounters with common teenage issues. Problems with alcohol, relationships, school, and mental health all affected and constricted his ability to grow up and mature. Holden’s constant conflicts amongst all of his relationships in the story is apparent. From not having support from his family to the death of his brother, Holden has had a tough road with people in general. When Holden’s relationshipsRead MoreCatcher Rye : What Is The Hardest Part Of Growing Up?1562 Words   |  7 PagesSeptember 20, 2017 Catcher in the Rye: What is the hardest part of growing up? The hardest part of growing up is having to make tough decisions in the moment. Not knowing if they are right or wrong, but having to use your best judgment. Those wrong choices give you chance to learn and grow from them, while the right choices set you on a more successful path in the long run. For someone it’s easier to access situations for others they are lost. In the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger theRead More Catcher in the Rye Essay: Themes of Society and Growing Up1366 Words   |  6 PagesThemes of Society and Growing Up in The Catcher in the Rye      Ã‚   In reading J.D. Salingers novel, The Catcher in the Rye, one is compelled to have a very strong reaction to the contents of the book.   Whether that reaction is negative or positive, it is unquestionable that the reader will give the novel a second thought after reading it.   There could be many reasons why this novel has such an impact on the readers.   It may be the use of Salingers catchy slang phrases, bitingly sarcastic andRead MoreLord Of The Flies, By William Golding And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower1087 Words   |  5 Pagessome of my most beloved. In my junior year, I read A Separate Peace by John Knowles for my AP U.S. History class while I read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger over the summer. A Separate Peace explores the rivalry that can lie at the heart of many friendships and conveys the concept of individuality rather than conformity. Similarly, The Catcher in the Rye is the story of a teenage boy who despises the phoniness of society and fe ars becoming just another phony adult. Both novels share similarRead MoreTheme Of The Catcher In The Rye976 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger there are several different themes portrayed that widely relate to current issues of teenagers and adults alike. While reading the novel several different themes were revealed creating a deep and meaningful story line. Three themes viewed within the novel are; the phoniness of the adult world, alienation as a form of self-protection, and the painfulness of growing up. Each of these themes have large significance in character and plot developmentRead MoreHolden Caulfield and the Pressures of Society: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1286 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel to life. In the bildungsroman, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, characterization is often found, especially regarding the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Salinger also includes many themes in his novel relating to growi ng up in a corrupt society. Hence, this paper will compare, contrast, and evaluate literary criticisms regarding the themes and characterization of J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye. Many critics of The Catcher in the Rye discuss in depth the characterizationRead MoreThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger654 Words   |  3 Pagesmind when I received the first assignment notice that we would be reading The Catcher in the Rye for English class. The title is most likely the single most important word choice that the author must make. J.D. Salinger uses the title in the book to allude to more than just when Holden sees the young child singing. J.D. Salingers title, The Catcher in the Rye, alludes to the conflict Holden faces of sexuality when growing up. The first reference made to the title of the book is when Holden is foundRead MoreHow Salinger’s Holden Caulfield Relates to Teenagers Throughout Time1412 Words   |  6 PagesHow Salinger’s Holden Caulfield Relates to Teenagers Throughout Time In 1951, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye was #1 on the New York Time’s bestseller list. Since then, the American Literary Association claims The Catcher in the Rye is a â€Å"favorite of censors.† The use of harsh language and profanity has been a long time debate of educators causing the novel to be pulled off bookshelves and propelling J.D. Salinger and his protagonist, Holden Caulfield, into reluctant fame. TheRead More Comparing A Separate Peace and The Catcher in the Rye Essay example1500 Words   |  6 PagesComparing A Separate Peace and The Catcher in the Rye The coming of age novels, The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger, and A Separate Peace, written by John Knowles, both interpret the lives of adolescent boys journeying through their conflicts and inner confusion to reach the level of maturity. Salinger and Knowles both discern the literal ways a typical teenager grows up with the help of literary elements such as plot, setting, character development, conflicts, irony, symobolismRead MoreThe Innocence of Childhood in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1262 Words   |  6 PagesGrowing up and becoming mature can be an intimidating experience; it is difficult to let go of one’s childhood and embrace the adult world. For some people, this transition from youthfulness to maturity can be much more difficult than for others. These people often try to hold on to their childhood as long as they can. Unfortunately, life is not so simple. One cannot spend their entire life running from the responsibilities and hardshi ps of adulthood because they will eventually have to accept the