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Examples Of Imagery In Catcher In The Rye

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Imagery in Catcher in the Rye In the novel by J.D. Salingher, The Catcher in the Rye, there are many examples of imagery. Imagery adds to the effect the reader feels while reading the novel: “Imagery is descriptive language to produce mental images. Using imagery is one of the best tools an author can use to engage readers in stories.” (enotes) Holden’s impressions about Stradlater’s walk, the prostitute he hires, and the stage show at Radio City create powerful imagery. While Stradlater goes out on a date with Jane, Holden waits for Stradlater at the dorm. Holden knows when Stradlater is home before Stradlater even walks through the door: “Anyway, the corridor was all linoleum and all, and you could hear his goddam footsteps coming right towards the room.” (40) Holden gives a detailed description of the hallway and Stradlater’s footsteps so the reader can experience a similar uncomfortable sensation. Holden is afraid to grow up, and does not want to face the reality of adulthood: “Holden’s inability to save Allie from death fuels his desire to rescue innocence from anything that threatens it, including the corruptions of adult sexuality and money.” (Austin Allen) He wants to experience sex; …show more content…

She had on a green dress underneath. Then she sort of sat down sideways on the chair that went with the desk in the room and started jiggling her foot up and down. (94) Holden’s description of the prostitute allows the reader to feel the uncomfortable feeling of both Holden and the prostitute. In New York, Holden makes plans to meet up with an old friend; however, Holden has some time to spare before he has to meet with his friend. He decides to go to the movies at Radio City: The Rockettes were kicking their heads off, the way they do when they’re all in line with their arms around each other’s waist.…and some guy behind me kept saying to his wife, “You know what that is? That’s

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Holden Caulfield’s story begins on a December Saturday at Pencey Prep School in Pennsylvania, where he 's just been given the ax for failing all his classes except English. As it turns out, getting the ax is a frequent theme in Holden 's past. Before he leaves the school Holden runs to his favorite teacher’s house to say goodbye to him. Back in the dorm, Holden goofs around with Robert Ackley, a pimply and annoying kid. We 're introduced to Holden 's red hunting hat, and we meet his roommate, Stradlater, who is getting ready for a date with Jane Gallagher, an old friend and sort-of romantic interest of Holden 's. Holden is not happy about this impending date, but agrees anyway to write an English composition for Stradlater.

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Stradlater is a narcissist and puts on an arrogant air when dealing with people like Holden, affecting an aura of subtle scorn and disinterest. Holden meanwhile, has gone completely insane, which is understandable considering everything that has happened to him. His insanity is very unique in that it yearns and craves stagnation, Holden expresses admiration for the museum on pg. 154 as “it never changes”. He dreams of being the “Catcher In The Rye” towards children keeping them in a state of perpetual childhood to shield them from the horrors of this

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It’s nice” (Salinger 185). In the book The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses many different analytic techniques in order to establish a story about a confused and disillusioned teen, Holden Caulfield. Salinger uses the themes of blindness, symbolism, and irony to help further the reader's understanding of the story. Inside The Catcher in the Rye, there are many techniques used to help the reader understand the book. Firstly, the theme of blindness is seen throughout the book with our main character, Holden Caulfield.

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This moment of recalling the moments he has with Allie, and looking back at what Allie was like was a heartfelt moment for Holden, and him choosing to write the essay about Allie’s mitt shows Holden’s connection and love for Allie and the relationship he had with him. Later on towards the end of the novel, we can see Holden frantically walking down the streets yet again, as he finds himself slowly losing touch of reality, and starting to do strange things. When this happens, Holden recognizes that his first instinct was to call for his brother to help him. Holden explains, “Then I started doing something else… I'd make believe I was

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Holden says, “This next part I don't remember so hot… I tried to sock him, with all my might, right smack in the toothbrush, so it would split his goddamn throat open.” (Salinger 49). In this scene, Holden pounces on his roommate, Stradlater, when he tells Holden he just spent the night with Jane Gallagher, Holden's close childhood friend. Holden had always viewed Jane as a symbol of purity and innocence, so learning that his roommate may have put the works on her leaves him rather devastated. Stradlater is known for his infamous reputation with girls, and Holden knows that deep down

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Change Can Be Good As one grows up they may experience dramatic changes in their life that they wish had never occurred. In The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D Salinger, the main Character Holden Caulfield, goes through loss as his life begins to change right in front of him. His brother Allie who Holden was very close with, passes away, and his family and friends are all moving forward with their lives.

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F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and "The Roaring '20s" by Kenn Allan both utilize imagery, symbolism, and foreshadowing to depict what living in 1920's America was like. All of these devices are used to set mood, tone, pace, and setting within their stories. The Roaring '20s is always less wordy than the Great Gatsby, but gets the point across just as well. Imagery is a literary device that is used in both the Great Gatsby and the Roaring '20s to portray mood and setting, as well as create an idea of what living in the '20s was like. In The Great Gatsby's case, the imagery creates an elaborate description of the scene, so the reader knows exactly what they are to be imagining.

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In an attempt to pass time after his breakfast, Holden has the idea to stroll around the city. He visits broadway to purchase a record for Phoebe, he eventually chooses a vivacious record with a unique and brash sound. Holden believes that Phoebe is special and wants to showcase his beliefs to her by giving her a record with music that corresponds with her individualism. Consequently, Holden’s mind begins to meander for a while when he starts to admire Phoebe’s maturity and intelligence. It is only until he overhears a young boy in the middle of the street singing “If a body catch a body coming through the rye” (Salinger 115), that Holden is brought back to reality.

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Holden’s failure to embrace the masculine stereotype is epitomized in his idealized and naive views on romance and sexulaity. When Holden enters the upscale Edmont Hotel and sees a young couple on a date, he remarks, “I think if you don't really like a girl, you shouldn't horse around with her at all …. It's really too bad that so much crumby stuff is a lot of fun sometimes” (Salinger 70). Holden’s belief that a man should not engage in a casual relationship with a woman unless he truly loves her, stands in stark contrast to masculine standards which encourage and congratulate men’s sexual exploits. Holden’s asexual beliefs

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The Catcher in the Rye Thematic Essay Imagine living a lonesome life, full of fear and little hope of better days to come. Imagine the toll this would take on a person’s life and how they develop as a person. For Holden Caulfield, the main character of J.D Salinger’s classic The Catcher in the Rye this, is his reality. Holden is a sixteen year old troubled boy suffering through major mental issues and living a rather a depressing life for a teenager. Throughout the novel he goes through many hardships that only worsen his depression making him feel hatred towards his seemingly hellish world.

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To achieve true peace and comfort, rather than trying to find love and comfort from others, an individual will search for someone who will give them a sense of belonging. This is seen through the novel, “the Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger where the persona, Holden, is seen searching for someone or a relationship. For example, the Holden tries to form many relationships including romantically, make friends, and with family members. Thus, to belong with a sense of peace and comfort, Holden attempts to interact with others.

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The beginning of Holden’s journey starts with the innocence and naivety of childhood. Childhood is the stage that ignorance is bliss with no care in the world. Holden goes to a prestigious boarding school for boys and he believes that everyone in that school is a phony in some way. Holden is an observant character as he stays in the background, but he can also cause the most trouble. Like a child, he asks many questions and he is very curious to the point that he can be annoying.

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1615 Words | 7 Pages

He says this because he 's jealous and envious of the other guy because Sally wants to hangout with him for a little. Holden makes her upset and kind of mad because the way he said it was sarcastic and rude. Holden doesn’t like him and is mad that he intruded on their date and Holden says, “...he walked about two blocks with us” (Salinger 142). He didn 't like that. When he meets with Sally she is genuinely happy to be with him in the beginning but right when she sees a boy she knows who is more put together then he is and she wants to engage with him instead.

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Throughout the course of the novel, Holden is constantly attempting to find somebody who is willing to both listen and

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In The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a rebellious and angsty teen who suffers from internal and external conflict. Holden continously tries to create a conflict where there is none. However, after he creates these issues he is unwilling to face them. Holden’s internal conflict is his inability to accept responsibility for his actions, while his external conflict is the tension between him and anyone who succeeds. In this manner Holden continually pushes people away and refuses to accept the existence of these conflicts until the end of the novel.

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