Catcher In the Rye Task In J.D. Salinger's book Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden Caulfield has quite the adventurous downfall. The story takes place in New York City during the 1950’s, though in actual fact it is hinted that Holden is recalling the story in a mental institution. Holden is a troubled young man that is sent to his 4th prep school, Pency Prep, which he is then later kicked out of. This is not the only instance of him having a hard childhood, another occurrence is when he breaks all the windows in his garage due to the death of his brother Allie. Holden is responsible for his downfall in numerous ways because of his risky behaviour, his mental strength, and his internal conflicts.…
Writing from a rest home where he's recuperating some illness or break down, Holden Caulfield says he'll tell the story of what happened to him just before the previous Christmas. Holden's story begins at Pencey Prep on the day of the big football game, Holden, who has just been expelled for failing 4 of his 5 classes, visits Mr. Spencer, his history teacher. Mr. Spencer lectures Holden about playing by the rules and thinking about his future. Holden pretends to agree with what he hears but actually thinks Mr. Spencer is a “phony.” Back in his dorm room, Robert Ackley, Holden's irritating neighbor, interrupts Holden as he tries to read, and Ward Stradlater, Holden's conceited and good-looking roommate heads out for a date with Jane Gallagher,…
Topic: “How Salinger uses Holden’s red hunting hat as a means of disassociating Holden from adulthood, a reminder to Holden of his deceased brother, Allie, and as a symbol of safety in times of vulnerability.” 1. Detail: “I bought [this red hunting hat] in New York that morning… I saw it in the window of this sports store… just after I noticed I’d lost all the goddamn foils.” (p 17) Effect: This is the first time the reader is introduced to Holden’s beloved red hat.…
The death of his brother Allie has had a deleterious effect on Holden’s life. For example, when Holden was walking down the street he would say, “Every time I’d get to the end of a block I’d make believe I was talking to my brother Allie. I’d say to him, ‘Allie, don’t let me disappear. Allie, don’t let me disappear. Allie, don’t let me disappear.…
The Cather in the Rye really sucked me in and got me thinking about a lot. The book is about teenager Holden Caulfield and his experiences growing up and maturing in New York before he decides to go home. Initially the book started out kind of slow but quickly picked up and I had a hard time putting it down. The Catcher in the Rye quickly caught my attention and dragged me in. In the second chapter of the book while Holden is talking to his history teacher Mr. Spencer about how life is just a game, Holden states “Game, my ass.…
It can be characterized through various symptoms. The individual must have suffered from at least one manic episode, which is an abnormally long portion of a persistent expensive, irritable, and excited mood. Typically, it takes at least one week for it to be considered; however, Holden’s hospitalization and subsequent psychological evaluation allowed for there to be a shorter time period in conclusion. Depression also happens to be a symptom of this disorder. Depression is not normal sadness; inadequacy and hopelessness accompany normal sadness and that produces depression.…
The definition of a hero is as broad as it is contentious. For many, it is someone who steps out of his or her comfort zone. For others, a hero is one who commits a brave and selfless act. Still others may feel that a hero is one defined by a lengthy personal journey. According to the traditional steps of a hero’s journey, a hero must come from an ordinary world, yet do extraordinary things.…
This book takes place during the postwar period and he never really felt like he fit in. He even said “...game my ass…where all the hot-shots are, then it's a game.” (page 8). The “game” within this sentence represents that life is a game that must be played a certain way, but it depends what social statice you changes the rules you have to play by. Holden views life as an unjust game that you can cheat in and be fine, but he quickly finds that is not the case, yet it takes him a while.…
There has been a rise of mental health cases every year, and most of them occur during a teen’s life. Teens stress and struggle through their mental health problems, increasing the need for help from others. In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger explores the life of a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield, after he flunks out of the fourth elite boarding school he has attended. Throughout the novel, Holden struggles with depression and loneliness, and is unable to find help for himself as he meets old acquaintances and new people. Holden’s disillusionment was caused by despairing memories and failed attempts at relationships, which created a fabricated world in his mind; therefore, to solve Holden’s situation, he should visit a psychoanalyst…
Is talking about how people will do anything that you ask them to if they think it will make you happy. Holden thinks that making people happy by not acting like themselves is phony behavior. In the second verse, the song talks about an average day. In New York, Holden stays up late because he cannot sleep.…
Holden is talking to Mr. Spencer, who is one of his favored teachers at Pencey Preparatory Academy and the professor says to him, “Life is a game, boy”(8). On the outside, he completely agrees with what the professor says, “Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it. ”(8).…
We live in a country where you have free will and can be white with a mental instability but still fit in because Holden is apart of something greater. Everyone is united into one because we all have a say. Therefore, this quote shows that Life is a game but everyone is playing, no one is less to play than the other.…
He declares his goal to be the catcher in the rye, one who prevents the young children from falling off a cliff when playing in the rye. Holden’s self-proclaimed deceitful nature, reckless behavior, and desire to save the young portray ineffective…
Life is a game that one plays according to the rules,” thinking to himself, “Game, my ass” (8). Holden does not agree with…
The author Salinger, makes Holden Caulfield this obnoxious, bad mouthing, cynic teenager. “...I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies.” (Salinger p 13). In the novel Catcher in the Rye, Holden goes through many obstacles and is trying to find himself. But during his exploration,we realize that Holden is growing up and is becoming a man.…