Sophia Falls
Mrs. Spragans
English 2 HP
13 October 2015
Catcher in the Rye: Themes Holden experienced many events in his life that cause him to lose his innocence. One such occurrence was the loss of his younger brother, Allie. These events resulted in him feeling a need to protect other from the harsh reality of the world. This is most clearly demonstrated when Holden’s sister, Phoebe, questions him on what he wants to do with his life. Holden respond “I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye… And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they go over the cliff… I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing …show more content…
As one begins to grow, they draw nearer to the edge of the cliff. Falling off the cliff symbolizes a child maturing and recognizing all of the evils of the world. Holden’s only wish is to stand at the cliff’s edge and catch these children before the world’s cruelty reaches them. Holden also describes another wish of his when he is waiting for his sister Phoebe at her school. While he waits, Holden sees the words “f@*k you” etched into the school’s wall. His first instinct is to get rid of this curse word to prevent anyone else from reading it. This swear word symbolizes falling off the cliff, and when Holden attempts to rub the word off it illustrates him attempting to catch others before they are forced to lose their innocence. The second time Holden stumbles upon the same phrase etched into a wall, he tries again to rub it off, but unfortunately realizes it is permeant. The fact that the words were written in permanent marker causes him to be unable to erase this statement. Holden is forced to accept that everyone will experience or witness the cruelty of the world at some point and no one can protect them forever. Later in the book, Holden takes Phoebe to the zoo, where she decides to ride the carousel. While …show more content…
Holden explains that “…I was sort of afraid that she would fall off the godd@m horse, but I didn’t say or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything” (Salinger, J.D. 211). This represents Holden’s realization that one can try to protect children from the world, but in order to truly live they must experience it themselves. Even if experiencing the world is at the cost of getting hurt. Holden lost his innocence at a young age due to a traumatic family situation. This caused him to assume the responsibility to protect others from loss of their blissful ignorance too early. The idea of keeping children young for as long as possible is a wish that Holden eventually realizes can never come
Mrs. Spragans
English 2 HP
13 October 2015
Catcher in the Rye: Themes Holden experienced many events in his life that cause him to lose his innocence. One such occurrence was the loss of his younger brother, Allie. These events resulted in him feeling a need to protect other from the harsh reality of the world. This is most clearly demonstrated when Holden’s sister, Phoebe, questions him on what he wants to do with his life. Holden respond “I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye… And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they go over the cliff… I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing …show more content…
As one begins to grow, they draw nearer to the edge of the cliff. Falling off the cliff symbolizes a child maturing and recognizing all of the evils of the world. Holden’s only wish is to stand at the cliff’s edge and catch these children before the world’s cruelty reaches them. Holden also describes another wish of his when he is waiting for his sister Phoebe at her school. While he waits, Holden sees the words “f@*k you” etched into the school’s wall. His first instinct is to get rid of this curse word to prevent anyone else from reading it. This swear word symbolizes falling off the cliff, and when Holden attempts to rub the word off it illustrates him attempting to catch others before they are forced to lose their innocence. The second time Holden stumbles upon the same phrase etched into a wall, he tries again to rub it off, but unfortunately realizes it is permeant. The fact that the words were written in permanent marker causes him to be unable to erase this statement. Holden is forced to accept that everyone will experience or witness the cruelty of the world at some point and no one can protect them forever. Later in the book, Holden takes Phoebe to the zoo, where she decides to ride the carousel. While …show more content…
Holden explains that “…I was sort of afraid that she would fall off the godd@m horse, but I didn’t say or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything” (Salinger, J.D. 211). This represents Holden’s realization that one can try to protect children from the world, but in order to truly live they must experience it themselves. Even if experiencing the world is at the cost of getting hurt. Holden lost his innocence at a young age due to a traumatic family situation. This caused him to assume the responsibility to protect others from loss of their blissful ignorance too early. The idea of keeping children young for as long as possible is a wish that Holden eventually realizes can never come