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Theme Of Conformity In Catcher In The Rye

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Non-conformity is an evident theme that both composers of the texts value, as shown through J.D. Salinger’s protagonist Holden Caulfield, and Chobsky’s protagonist Charlie. Both protagonists show similar characteristics of non-conformity, yet the way society in their time period perceived this affected each character inversely. The conservative 50’s American society strongly upheld their modest values and repressed individuality. This is understandable since America had just come out of World War Two and was also finding it’s place in the world, progressing at a rapid pace (e.g. the ‘space race’ between the Soviet Union). For an unruly and opinionated person like Holden this value does not seem fitting if one has to adapt their personality to meet the criteria of society. "I …show more content…

The song itself is not a mainstream 90s song and Patrick’s tuxedo further emphasises their unwillingness to conform. Holden and Charlie are clearly alienated and isolated from their respective societies, but despite this similarity in their situations, the circumstances of their exclusion are contradictory. Holden has an accusatory tone towards society and adults for his corruption of innocence, “It was very phony – I mean him being such a big snob and all”. Conversely Chbosky gives Charlie a more self-conflicting attitude towards his isolation, as he almost blames himself for his exclusion, the quick flashbacks of his past trauma at the end of the film signifying this. Both Salinger and Chbosky have created influential characters that express the importance of not conforming to society. This has allowed us to see the change in the American society, going from rejecting non-conformity in the 1940/50s to beginning to embrace it in the

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Rhetorical Précis 1: In his essay, “ Love and Death in The Catcher in the Rye” (1991), Peter Shaw claimed that Holden behavior and way of thinking is due to common abnormal behavior in a certain time for teenagers (par. 10). Shaw supported his assertion of the young Holden by comparing the literary culture of the 1950s and how Holden’s fictional character fits within the contemporary Americans novels as a, “ sensitive, psychological cripples but superior character” (par. 3). Shaw’s purpose was to show that Holden’s sensitive and psychological behavior is not abnormal, but such like stated by Mrs. Trilling that,” madness is a normal, even a better then normal way of life” (par 4). Peter Shaw’s tone assumed a highly educated audience who is

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In the paradoxical personality of Holden we discover something much deeper. As Holden makes himself out to be tougher than what he actually is, Salinger introduces stubbornness. Holden’s true nature of gentleness and sensitivity offered throughout the book often brings bedlam into his life, though Salinger brings into

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The book, The Catcher in the Rye, takes place in the years of the 1940s-1950s of New York City. Author J.D. Salinger expresses in the book about the struggles and the countless amount of stereotypes and establishments of the American society. Holden Caulfield, J.D Salinger’s protagonist, gives perspectives of society’s conflicts and facets of society. Holden addresses that would should not change, but should be preserved within a glass case at a museum. Now explore the varieties of encounters and how the give an example of the theme of conflict between control and independence that the protagonist confronts in the book, The Catcher in the Rye.

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If the book is read solely on its surface level, it just seems like a book about an annoying teenager who just complains about everything, but the messages it carries are actually profound. For example, near the end of the story Holden is upset by some profane graffiti on the wall at a museum that says “F*** you” (Salinger 224). He is upset by it because he is worried some little kids will see it and wonder what it means, and then be curious enough to find out adn have their innocence stolen. He finds the graffiti multiple times in the museum. The profane graffiti, if looked at beyond the surface level, symbolises the fact that Holden can not do anything to stop little kids from losing their innocence.

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Attending school in the 1950s, Holden is a victim of a conformist American society. In a historical context, postwar America is characterized by a booming economy, industrialization and the creation of uniform suburban communities throughout the country. There was also a call for a united America, with the tensions of the Cold War taking hold and a need to fight communism. This attitude of uniformity could be seen in the American education system at the same time, where students were expected to fit the mould of the ideal American child. This child was idealized as being obedient, respectful and subordinate to their superiors.

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1308 Words | 6 Pages

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.

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1. Paid media - This is any media that involves advertising that you have to pay for including paid search, display ads, digital signage, and banners. It also includes affiliate marketing.

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Different eyes have seen many, throughout the novel of The Catcher in the Rye J.D Salinger, the mindset questioning and some plots of realization. This story is based on a sixteen year old male named Holden Caulfield that has been expelled from Pencey Prep school. Holden begins to understand more and become aware of his own being. Meaning he tries to mature as an adult but becomes more feared of the real world. With a child like mind set, Holden has a very difficult time with growing and maturing.

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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.

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"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger explores the theme of innocence through the experiences and observations of the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. The loss of innocence is a central concern for Holden, who is struggling to come to terms with the complexities of adult life and his disillusionment with the world around him. Throughout the novel, Holden grapples with the idea that innocence is a fleeting and fragile state, and that the transition from childhood to adulthood is a painful and complicated process. One of the key ways in which the theme of innocence is explored in the novel is through Holden's relationship with his younger sister, Phoebe.

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1615 Words | 7 Pages

Isolation and Depression: A Vicious Cycle Grief. Depression. Isolation. What do you think when you hear those words? Holden Caulfield has been through a lot, from being kicked out of several schools to being so depressed he wonders why he should go on living. Holdens family keeps pushing him away and that’s where he learns his tendency to push people away who he cares about.

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This is important because it shows Holden fear of growing up and changing because he feels alone and isolated because he is growing up and through growing up things change and he changes and he is lost now. Holden wants to join society but he is afraid of rejection, failure, and etc that all comes with growing up and figuring out who you

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Society as a whole is something you make of it. If one wants to denounce the society they live in because it is “phony” that is because they’ve made the world around them phony. The character of Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye is a prime example of someone being stuck in the idea that society is unchanging. Society is just how a person perceives the world in front of them. The eye of the beholder is the one that creates the society of their choice.

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“I have a feeling that you’re riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall. But I don’t honestly know what kind…It may be kind where, at the age of thirty, you sit in some bar hating everybody who comes in looking as if he might have played football in college. Then again, you may pick up just enough education to hate people who say, “It’s a between he and I. ‘ Or you may end up in some business office, throwing paper clips at the nearest stenographer. I just don’t know…

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“A time to keep silent and a time to speak,” (158) is a quote from the book Fahrenheit 451. This novel is all about how people conform to a society that burns books. They do so because they make people “think” thoughts that the government doesn’t want them to. Though there are some who are not conformed and read books to enlighten themselves to the ways of the past, that changes the way they see the present. Mildred, Faber, and Clarisse are characters that represent different aspects of conformity or nonconformity in the Fahrenheit 451 society.

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