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What Are The Effects Of Holden's Inability To Take Action

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Teenagers often experience internal battles and struggle with taking action. In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger uses supporting characters to demonstrate the negative effects of Holden's inability to take action. J.D. Salinger uses the variety of characters to signify the effects of Holden's inability to take action and display the importance of this theme throughout the novel. J.D. Salinger demonstrates the concept of inaction through the interactions between Holden and his family, friends and strangers. While many teenagers struggle with internal issues, Holden Caulfied struggles with the inability to take action. Salinger utilizes the Caulfield family to illustrate Holden's failure in taking action and the negative …show more content…

For example, “she’ll be in the bathroom and Daddy’ll turn on the news or something.” (Salinger 197). Throughout the novel, Holden’s parents are never physically shown but are heard because Holden hides in the closet. This interaction is important because Salinger wants to illustrate the separation the family has as the relationship between the children and their parents is very distant and unconventional. For example, the parents lightly scold Phoebe when she covers for Holden. “I don't like that, Phoebe, I don't like that at all” (Salinger 196). Salinger includes this encounter to show that the family is not caring and the mother barely cares about the possible bad habit of smoking. This displays Holden’s failure to take action because he allows Phoebe to take the blame for his smoking and he doesn't have the courage to take responsibility. Finally, Holden’s relationship with Phoebe is negative as he is unable to become the big brother that she needs. Phoebe is constantly helping Holden as she lends him money and is the source of Holden's happiness. Furthermore, Holden fails to become the protector of innocence for …show more content…

This theme is prevalent in the chapters with Sally as Holden talks about how they should run away together but she rejects him. Holden desires to run away with her but understands that even if the opportunity came, he wouldn't take it. “I probably wouldn't have taken her even if she wanted to go with me” (Salinger 149). This displays how Holden lies all the time and makes up these crazy plans like moving away from the city together with Sally alone. Holden’s lying represents his doubt towards himself and his lack of “guts”. The negative effects that occur of his inaction is his rudeness towards Sally causing them to hate each other. Holden also demonstrates his inability to take action as he makes excuses when he fights Stradlater. “He had hold of my wrists, to, so I couldn't take another sock at him. I’d’ve killed him.” (Salinger 49). Despite saying this, Holden's thoughts aren't matching up with his actions, he fails to throw a good punch and this action indicates he wouldn't beat Stradlater in the fight. Holden makes the excuse that it would have hurt Stradlater if he used his left fist instead of his broken right fist. Salinger develops the theme of inaction by including Holdens excuses that represent his unfavorable encounters with his peers. Finally, Holden demonstrates his failure to take action through his internal thoughts on whether to call Jane or not.

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