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Holden's Death In Catcher In The Rye

744 Words3 Pages

Has there ever been a death of a sibling that hasn't created a gap in someone's life and completely changed how they thought of the world; a death that didn't resort to mourning and sorrow? Not really. In the novel, Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, the main character/protagonist has to deal with an abundance of problems that have been produced after the death of a sibling. Holden, as a young teenager has trouble grasping the wonders and beauty of life when his brother Allie passes away. Allie's death had a very significant effect on Holden's life. Only having a two year difference, the two were the best of friends. Allie symbolized innocence and adolescence in Holden's eyes, but as his life diminished, so did the innocence and adolescence …show more content…

He broke his own hand from the tragic event and was almost forced to be psychoanalyzed. Him breaking his hand wasn't seen as acting out of sadness , but much more on the lines of anger. Holden failing in school and hating the world only shows how much he misses his brother. He has been very judgmental to the world calling everything phonies all because of Allie. The importance of siblings helps drive Holden's life. The injury or loss of even one sibling shows how much it morphs Holden into a depressing …show more content…

Phoebe played a big role in the story as well. Phoebe pretty much represents the last bit of innocence and adolescence that Holden had after Allie died. One choice phoebe makes could alter Holden's decision on what he does or is prepared to do. She ultimately directs Holden's ways. Phoebe is viewed as genuine and honest by Holden. She is not a "phony" like everyone else is. She has exceptions. There are things Holden is okay with in Phoebe that he would find annoying in other people. Clearly, Phoebe is an idol to Holden as well. Her being alive and Allie deceased shows what effect it has on Holden and vice

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Holden Caulfield Grief Essay

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Arrested development works in more than one fashion for Holden Caulfield, as not only does he desperately cling to the past, but his five stages of grief are similarly slowly processed—namely denial. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden as he adapts to life alone in the city, and is forced to deal with the consequences of living in the real world. After projecting his issues onto others throughout the novel, only by accepting his own shortcomings does Holden finally start taking steps towards changing his life for the better. Holden’s little brother, Allie, passed away some years before the story takes place, and is one of the biggest factors in his refusal to let go of the past.

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Two Examples Of Holden's Suicide In Catcher In The Rye

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This shows how bad the situation was. If he could not blame them for when they wanted to have him psychoanalyzed after his actions to follow. Thoughts of suicide- His suicidal statements can be linked to depression, clearly and he assumes life is out of line which joins us back to the way that Holden is as yet lamenting over his sibling. An Example are when he has death wishes on page 104 when he stated “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide.

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Allie was very intelligent, kind, and one of the few people Holden truly loved. When he passed away from leukemia, Holden broke down and stayed a night in his garage, where he destroyed all of the windows with his fists. Allie’s death left both psychological and physical scars on Holden, which have a subtle, but important influence on the rest of the novel. Although I have

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1017 Words | 5 Pages

Even though Phoebe is mature in her intellectual aspect, she is actually still young in an emotional way, in that “she’s very emotional, for a child” (Salinger 68). This shows how Phoebe is still immature and innocent, but that is what Holden truly admires and wishes he could regain. He too is very emotional, but finds it difficult to communicate his emotions to others except for Phoebe. Phoebe brings Holden happiness and peace because he praises her nature and wishes he could still

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After talking about his childhood memories with his brother he states, ¨He is dead now. He got leukemia and died when we were up in Maine, on July 18, 1946. You´d have like him.¨ Then after talking about Allie’s old baseball mitt he said, ¨I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it¨(43-44). Allie’s death is used to show the unexpected change that Holden had experienced during his life. Allie was only eleven when he died, and Holden was thirteen.

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With Allie's death, everyone in the family was affected. This changed people behavior making it harder to be together. Holdens family is never around and he feels as if he can't rely on them. Salinger mentions in the novel how everyone has shifted from home and changed since the families passing. Holdens mom is not the same because, “...ever since Allies death she's always nervous” ( ).

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Throughout the book, Holden is struggling to get by. The death of his brother Allie has left him in a tough spot. Holden doesn’t exactly know how to deal with this. The different stages of grief are represented through Holden. Holden shows denial and anger when he flashbacks to one of his memories after his brother’s death.

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Holden is provided with two people who can be acknowledged as role models but does not use them to the full potential. Phoebe is can be considered as Holden’s mentor in many ways. Although Phoebe is so young, Phoebe provides Holden with a lot of sense and knowledge. Phoebe provides many characteristics of a mentor such as always wanting to protect Holden, “She put the suitcase down. “My clothes,” she said.

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In the book Catcher in the Rye we meet a young man named Holden Caulfield. In the movie Ordinary People we meet Conrad Jarrett. In this paper they will both be compared, contrasted and discussed. In Catcher in the Rye Holden’s brother died at a young age from cancer.

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The first cause of Holden 's mental illness that readers notice is that he lacks control over his actions. As Holden was 13 years old, his brother Allie died of leukemia. Holdens behavior in response to his brothers death was very violent. “I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it (Holden Caulfield 39).” Holden admits that he didn’t know he was doing it, but says it was a stupid thing to do.

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Before leaving his friends and family forever, Holden decides to meet up with Phoebe one last time. Many things followed that incident and perhaps the best way to interpret all of this is to see what it describes of Holden’s character, how Holden has changed, and what he will do in the future. The first thing that we can learn is that Holden is unable to control his emotions. When Phoebe appears with her suitcase and she begs Holden to take her with him, it is solid proof that there is a strong bond between Phoebe and Holden. As see on pg.

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Holden Caulfield Lies In Catcher In The Rye

1378 Words | 6 Pages

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’.

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Holden’s Struggle To Find Himself: Throughout the novel, The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Holden struggles to find himself and who he truly is in order to be happy. His struggles relate to many things that he does or say in particular. Holden lacks with a social status with women and his family, whether it’s a relationship or being antisocial. Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield experiences the complexities and struggles involved with both physical and emotional relationships.

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