The novel, “Catcher in the Rye”, was written by J.D. Salinger. Even though he wrote numerous novels, people regard this one as one of his best. The main character Holden Caulfield throughout the plot is on a progression of heading to ultimately a mental breakdown. Which is inferred more as the novel continues. Holden’s peregrination to a mental breakdown conveys how the moral ideals that are taught to kids become lost to the hypocrisy of adulthood by the deterioration of innocence and the artificial facade of society.
To not seem “phony”, a recurring word in the novel, J.D. Salinger utilizes repetitive dialogue for the main character Holden Caulfield, to show how desperately Holden doesn’t want to seem insincere and fake. He believes that of all of his prep schools he has been too were all “full of phonies” (Catcher in the rye, page 2). They are were trying to appear better than they were, because that is what they grew up seeing society around them doing. Which is what makes Catcher
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This reciprocates to Holden predicament because he as well does not know what is going to happen to him. Near the end of the story Holden goes to the pond and ponders on whether he will ever succeed like society pushes males to do. Which leads to, shortly after, Holden having a mental breakdown, and having to be hospitalized.
Holden’s roommate, Stradler, is another symbol but unlike the ducks he symbolizes success through masculinity. Stradler, is an exemplary example of imperial masculinity as it is pressured by society. “Stradler walked through life with ease as a result of his gender performance, Holden sees his character as primarily consisting of narcissism and womanizing.” (Marley Jeranko, para. 9) Holden tells that “he was madly in love with himself” (Catcher in the rye, page 31) and it becomes apparent that Holden is also appalled by Stradlater’s high ego and sense of