English Catcher in the Rye essay J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye tells the story of a lonesome boy, Holden Caulfield, floating his way through life with damaging levels of cynicism and resentment aimed at the adult world. Since the devastating death of his younger brother Allie, Holden is left in a state of deep depression, which causes him to be expelled from various schools his parents have paid for him to attend. The death of his sibling has impacted upon Holden in a profound way, leaving him in a dire state of loneliness and separation from the world. Salinger’s thoughts on his protagonist’s tender situation are conveyed through numerous literary devices that include symbolism, plot and the thematic dimension to the text. …show more content…
The symbols in the book are very important in the development of Holden’s Character and this explains how he feels about life. Two very important symbols in the book include Holden’s fixation on the ducks in central park and his time spent in the New York City museum. The ‘Ducks in the pond’ is a motif that is seen throughout the novel. This symbol is important; while it seems childish and immature, the absence of the ducks can be seen as closely imitating the situation that Holden feels that he is in. Holden is “Looking for something his own environment could not supply him with.” Like the ducks, the idea of migration is similar to Holden’s rapid decision to leave New York to find a better place, or such in the ducks case a greener pasture. Showing that while disconnected and alienated from the world and society Holden searches for a better place where he …show more content…
This was a very ‘noir’ time period; the effects of the war have taken a great burden upon everyone’s psyche, including Holden’s parents and older brother D.B. After Allie’s death Holden is left in pain and lost for his place in the world. Repeatedly he is seen floating through life, and is passive about everything that he does. With this attitude Holden assumes the worst to happen in every instance and encounter with others. One example of this includes Holden’s roommate Stradlater going on a date with Holden’s crush, Jane Gallagher and “giving her the time in Ed Banky’s goddam car.” Through painful occurrences like this and his brother’s death Holden is depressed and separated from all around him. Holden knows how lonesome he is, stating “I went over and laid down on Ely's bed. Boy, did I feel rotten. I felt so damn lonesome.” All Holden has known in the past years since his brother’s death is pain and separation. By expecting the worst outcome of every interaction and action that he makes Holden is isolated from the outside