Protagonist’s play a very important role in the novel as a whole but as well as the development of the storyline. By definition, a protagonist is “the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story).” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Each protagonist develops and matures as the novel does as well. Through the storyline protagonists also develop and mature in response to the events that they experience. In the following four novels, the protagonist’s involvement in the occasions of the novel assist in their maturing and character development as they adjust and grow. In The Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist is Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old boy that just got kicked out of high school and is a representation for
…show more content…
The novel is told by an older Holden who resides in a rest home of some sort and occurs over a span of three days. During these three days he encounters many other characters who help him realize that the transition into adult life from adolescences is not one to underestimate or rush, this one of the main themes of the novel. As he continues through the novel his character progresses as well. He begins as a typical student who is very isolated, this is shown when he does not attend the biggest football game of the season where “everyone is at.” After Holden leaves for the city, participating in adult like activities such as drinking, smoking, hookers, his isolation becomes more present but his desperation for real human interaction increased greatly. “The first thing I did when I got off at Penne Station, I went into this phone booth. I felt like giving somebody a buzz. I left my bags right outside the booth so that I could watch them, but as soon as I was inside, I couldn’t think of anybody to call up.” (Salinger pg. 66) He does not have one friend to call, probably because they are all in school or preoccupied with teenage activates. This shows the shift in the novel when he moves away from school, adolescence based, to New York., adult based scenery. Once again there is a
The novel is told by an older Holden who resides in a rest home of some sort and occurs over a span of three days. During these three days he encounters many other characters who help him realize that the transition into adult life from adolescences is not one to underestimate or rush, this one of the main themes of the novel. As he continues through the novel his character progresses as well. He begins as a typical student who is very isolated, this is shown when he does not attend the biggest football game of the season where “everyone is at.” After Holden leaves for the city, participating in adult like activities such as drinking, smoking, hookers, his isolation becomes more present but his desperation for real human interaction increased greatly. “The first thing I did when I got off at Penne Station, I went into this phone booth. I felt like giving somebody a buzz. I left my bags right outside the booth so that I could watch them, but as soon as I was inside, I couldn’t think of anybody to call up.” (Salinger pg. 66) He does not have one friend to call, probably because they are all in school or preoccupied with teenage activates. This shows the shift in the novel when he moves away from school, adolescence based, to New York., adult based scenery. Once again there is a