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The catcher in the rye analysis essay
Essay on the themes of the catcher in the rye
The catcher in the rye analysis essay
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Holden on Phonies Holden Caulfield constantly contradicts himself in the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, this is best seen on his views towards phonies and he himself unknowingly being a phony. Throughout the book Holden mentions the phrase phonies several times as a way to describe someone who is fake, hypocritical, or pretentious. For instance, Holden thinks that Mr. Haas, the headmaster at Pency, was the most “phoniest bastard” he has ever met; Mr. Haas always puts on a act when he’s meeting parents (21). When people are phony it “drives [him] crazy” because he just wants people to be real (21).
1.In the previous past chapters and Holden acts more like child than an adult. Holden seems to call adults phonies and doesn’t really call children phonies. It 's immaterial to me," she said. "Hey—how old are you, anyhow?"That annoyed me, for some reason. "
The “Phony” In Holden Caulfield In The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger, the character Holden Caulfield shows his dislike towards other characters in the novel by characterizing them as “phonies”. People who are dishonest when self representing themselves for their own self interest are usually judged by Holden. Holden has high standards for other people especially adults and often characterizes other characters who do not meet his standards as “phonies” but he often behaves similarly to them.
The novel “The Catcher in the Rye” was about the journey of a adolescent boy finding his way to adulthood. In the book Holden Caulfield was unsuccessful in finding his way to adulthood. Holden’s attitude in the novel throughout his journey was very immature. He also can't accept the fact that innocence can’t be forever protected. Lastly, Holden calls everyone a phony when in reality he is the real phony.
In 1951 J.D. Salinger’s book, The Catcher In The Rye rocketed to Number 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. Over the course of three days, the novel delves into the life of a troubled teenager undergoing the loss of a family member. Considered one of the most disputed books, the novel exhibits vulgar language, irreverent behavior, sexual references, and subversion to both family principles and moral values. Regardless, in the June Edwards article “The Censorship in Schools” Holden Caulfield’s troubling behavior is justified. She states that his mistakes are not a fair representation of him and should not be used to counter the book’s message.
The novel, Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger reveals one stuck between their past and present can cause isolation, depression, and fearfulness for the future. Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old, who has gotten expelled by a few schools. In the beginning of the novel, Holden describes is background and who his family is. Holden describes his parents as people who are to busy to care about their children.
In conclusion, Holden is a phony because because he pretends to be someone that he is not, he contradicts himself, and he blames others for things that he is responsible for. Holden, making such a big deal about phonies ended up being one. This shows that no matter what you do, the society will always play a big role in influencing one’s behavior and the way that one
All books that young adults read have power. Their power results in their ability to sway and to change the reader in so many ways, not the least of these is morally. These books can create a moral sense in the young by demonstrating what is morally right and what is morally wrong. They can raise and resolve ethical issues. The reader may not agree with each resolution, but is certainly forced to think about issues he or she may never have thought about before (Smith 63).
Holden carries a belief that everyone else around him is “phony” and he is the only “real” person left in the world besides children. This belief which Holden carries throughout the story that others are insincere or fake, causes him to isolate himself by avoiding contact with others. However, this misguided attempt to protect himself only worsens the alienation and loneliness which he experiences. Although Holden desires meaningful relationships and connections with others, he struggles with letting down his protective shield and opening up to others to create those
The effects of Holden constantly isolating himself can be seen especially through his improper speech and how he speaks to others. For example in chapter two Holden says “One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies (pg 14).” In this Holden is exhibiting his poor vocabulary and shows how he does not put thought into the things he says. When he uses the word phonies to describe the boys at Elkton Hills in reality he means he thinks they are boys whom he is not friends with and does not like. In many other cases Holden appears to immediately result to the word phony when describing something or someone he does not like.
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.
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 band Poison once wrote and sang a song titled, “Every rose has its thorn”, and if this school year is a rose, then Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is its thorn. The book features Okonkwo, a self-assured man who treats his family brutally, but is still well respected by his community. J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye is also read sophmore year at Pioneer, and unlike Things Fall Apart, it is a worthwhile book. J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye should stay on Pioneer’s English Ten reading list, while Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart should not.
Text Analysis Practicum Course Instructor: Dr. Lorelei Caraman Dimişcă Bianca-Melania Russian - English Childhood vs. adulthood in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” “The Catcher in the Rye” is a novel written by J.D. Salinger in 1951. The book is one of the most controversial books ever written and its popularity comes from the author’s rough attitude towards society from the perspective of a teenager. “The Catcher in the Rye” is thought to be J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece and it is listed as one of the best novels of the 20th century. In 2009 Finlo Rohrer affirmed that even 58 years later after the book has been published it is still considerate “the defining work on what it is like to be a teenager”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catcher_in_the_Rye)
Holden describes phonies all throughout the book, he keeps calling out people for being fake. " The waiter was waiting for her to move out of the way, but she didn 't even notice him. It was funny. You could tell the waiter didn 't like her much you could tell even the Navy guy didn 't like her much even though he was dating her. And I didn 't like her much.
