More handpicked essays just for you.
The catcher in the rye symbolism essay
Symbolism analysis of the catcher in the rye
Holden caulfield character analysis essay
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
When he has a conversation with his roommate Stradlater, he feels disconnected from his classmates. Holden's isolation has a bad effect on his mental state and he begins to have a negative and out of touch mentality with the world around him. He criticizes the "phoniness" of other people and their behavior in almost always a
In the art of literature, composers showcase their unique ability to dig through the depths of individual and collective human experiences, offering keen insight which resonates with the reader. Through the use of literary techniques, and the manipulation of language, composers can trigger different emotional responses whilst creating an understanding of the various aspects of the human condition. By examining the works of renowned composers Kenneth Slessor and Craig Silvey, specifically ‘Gulliver’, ‘William Street’ and ‘Jasper Jones’, we can explore how these composers employ their craft to capture and convey insightful ideas about individual and collective human experiences. With a solid foundation laid for exploring composers' insights into
Some parts to my life can relate to Holden from catcher in the rye to well. In someways I can personally relate to Holden and in other ways Holden can relate to my brother. In the ways that I can relate to Holden are how he keeps all of his feelings bunched up and thrown deep so no one can find them. We both aren't people who wear our emotions on our shoulders like other people because if people find out the real way that we feel they might treat us different.
Holden is unaware of his problem. When people try to help him he tells them there is nothing wrong with him. Holden wonders why he cannot connect with others. He blames it on other people when the source of his problems is himself. Holden’s past holds him back from connecting with others, but his fear of letting go of his past has him limited and scarred from making new relationships and connections.
Holden Caulfield lives his life as an outsider to his society, because of this any we (as a reader) find normal is a phony to him. Basically, every breathing thing in The Catcher in the Rye is a phony expect a select few, like Jane Gallagher. What is a phony to Holden and why is he obsessed with them? A phony is anyone who Holden feels is that living their authentic life, like D.B. (his older brother). Or simply anyone who fits into society norms, for example, Sally Hayes.
Throughout the entire novel Holden claims that all adults are phonies and of course that includes his parents. His parents seem to teen many elements of Phoniness as holden puts it. Though it is not physically shown in the book we can imply it through the few interactions that has had with his parents and the information that we currently have. One example is how his parents are trying so hard to act like a true happy family acting like nothing is wrong even though Allie is dead and we can assume that their marriage is struggling. They are trying to put on the persona of a happy typical family yet they are pushing all the children away forcing them in the boarding schools and avoiding any emotional connection.
Holden’s background reflects the way depression occurs in adolescents of his age. Many attributes to depression included in the article such as “Poor performance in school, Lack of enthusiasm, etc.” (Mental Health America, 1) cause Holden to have emotions related to depression. Holden feel this way because his past experiences including the stress and pain he has worsens his mood and demeanor. Also contributing to his depression, everyone around does not realize the pain he is in so he smokes and drinks to get rid of his pain.
He pushes people away due to the sudden traumatic loss of his brother. Holden ends up learning not to push people away and to slowly let people back in. As he stated, “if somebody at least listens, it’s not too bad” (pg. 224). Thankfully, I have never experienced a physical loss in my life as of now. I tend to push those around me away in an attempt to preserve my feelings and ensure that I won’t get hurt.
Some believe that Holden is just an angsty teenager, however he is a subject of depression. Our main character shows signs of depression in daily life. In Forbes, Shannon Kolakowski, PsyD quotes “Depression symptoms come out through excessively drinking alcohol, seeking out an affair outside of the relationship, becoming aggressive, or withdrawing from those you love.” (Kolakowski)
American national interests and the way they are carried out are constantly shifting. National interests are a country’s economic, military, and cultural goals and ambitions. By prioritizing national interests in foreign affairs, a nation can preserve its sovereignty. Presidents of the United States, such as George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, have used foreign policy to push national interests. Foreign policy sees many shifts between presidents from unilateral and preemptive approaches to multilateral and collaborative approaches.
In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Mr. Antolini gives Holden Caulfield advice when he is at one of his lowest points. Already aware of Holden’s mental state and position on school, he quotes Wilhelm Stekel, a psychoanalyst, “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” (Salinger 188). Although Holden fails to grasp Mr. Antolini’s message, the quote applies directly to his life because of his relationship with death as a result of his younger brother, Allie’s, death. Mr. Antolini uses this quote specifically because he wants Holden take a step back and try to live for a noble cause instead of resorting to death.
The only motivator that Holden has to continue living is his younger sister, Phoebe, who is extraordinarily intelligent for her age. After he gets kicked out of Pencey, Holden is lost in life. He speaks to many people, seeking advice and comfort, but they are not able to help him find a human connection. Holden’s depression increases throughout the novel, almost to the point of suicide. He criticizes many people and ideas, labeling them as ‘phony’.
From the outset, I have to say that “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger has been one of the most important and influential pieces of literature I have ever read. At its core, the book is a superb coming of age novel which discusses several extremely powerful themes such as the difficulties of growing up, teenage angst and alienation and the superficiality, hypocrisy and pretension of the adult world. These themes resonated deeply with me and were portrayed excellently through the use of powerful symbolism and the creation of highly relatable and likable characters. One such character is Holden Caulfield whom the story both revolves around and is narrated by.
Furthermore, Holden starts to hate all the adults or loses faith in them, calls them phony. Holden has a second thought of becoming an adult he loses hope in his future and it seems to him nothing in the world matters to him anymore. We can see that throughout the book. He smokes, gets drunk, and does daring acts like getting a prostitute in his room. He also tries to escape all this guilt and grief by wasting time with unnecessary people he calls phony.
Holden struggles with growing up and facing reality. There are many examples of Holden’s immaturity that are displayed in many forms such as facing responsibilities, his speech, his actions, and etc. Holden’s outlook on adult life is that it is superficial and brimming with phonies, but childhood was all about looking pleasing and innocent. He wants everything to stay the same and for time to stop. As Holden progresses in age, he will discover more about becoming mature in the
