Change in Relationships
In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s inability to create relationships or confront commitment after the death of his brother demonstrates the necessity to accept current existence and gain closure in order to grow and learn from past struggles. With the experience of a colossal misfortune, Holden transforms to seclude himself in order to salvage the memory of Allie. Moreover, as a result of the death of his brother, Holden shelters himself to avoid relationships that could potentially fail. He criticizes the phoniness in the world as a way to avoid his own problems and inner corruption. Holden fears the ideas of change and commitment as they are associated with the loss of innocence. Through …show more content…
The sorrowful memory of Allie haunts Holden in his everyday life affecting his proficiency to reconcile with himself and progress in life. Holden’s failure to grapple with the death of his brother leads to coping mechanisms such as violence and anger at an attempt to bring back the one he loved; additionally, the absence of a funeral prevented Holden from obtaining much needed closure. On instinct, Holden “broke all the windows in the garage” and “slept in the garage...just for the hell of it” to deal with the tragedy the night Allie died (Salinger 44). Holden provides no reasoning for his behavior or excuse for his actions yet injures himself to feel physical pain and escape experiencing immediate emotional pain. This life altering event instigates Holden’s depression and mental instability. Additionally, without attending Allie’s funeral, Holden does not fully accept his brother’s death as he was not given the opportunity to gain closure to move on. Without closure, overcoming difficulties seems unobtainable and becomes a lot more difficult. …show more content…
Although Holden understands his deficiency to form relationships, he wrongfully blames it on the phoniness in the world. By pointing out, “‘I know I am very hard to talk to’” Salinger presents Holden’s recognition of this characteristic not as a fault, while in fact, this real flaw represses Holden’s perspective on life (206). Holden expresses his hatred of phoniness quite often while labelling people phony as an excuse to avoid confrontation or the chance for any real relationships. As a result of the death of Allie whom Holden had a strong and loving relationship with, Holden does not even give himself the chance to have conversations with anyone before resorting to stereotyping. The type of suffering Holden experiences prevents him from creating lasting relationships and hinders his world view. With the belief that it is an external not internal problem, Holden unrealistically wants the world to change. His self-destructive flaw illustrates the importance of moving on and the loss of innocence to become a functioning member of society. Holden continuously characterizes everyone as phony stating, “if you sat around here long enough and heard all the phonies applauding you and all, you got to hate everyone in the world” (Salinger 157). Though this phoniness in the world is harmful, Holden is guilty of it
In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s inability to create relationships or confront commitment after the death of his brother demonstrates the necessity to accept current existence and gain closure in order to grow and learn from past struggles. With the experience of a colossal misfortune, Holden transforms to seclude himself in order to salvage the memory of Allie. Moreover, as a result of the death of his brother, Holden shelters himself to avoid relationships that could potentially fail. He criticizes the phoniness in the world as a way to avoid his own problems and inner corruption. Holden fears the ideas of change and commitment as they are associated with the loss of innocence. Through …show more content…
The sorrowful memory of Allie haunts Holden in his everyday life affecting his proficiency to reconcile with himself and progress in life. Holden’s failure to grapple with the death of his brother leads to coping mechanisms such as violence and anger at an attempt to bring back the one he loved; additionally, the absence of a funeral prevented Holden from obtaining much needed closure. On instinct, Holden “broke all the windows in the garage” and “slept in the garage...just for the hell of it” to deal with the tragedy the night Allie died (Salinger 44). Holden provides no reasoning for his behavior or excuse for his actions yet injures himself to feel physical pain and escape experiencing immediate emotional pain. This life altering event instigates Holden’s depression and mental instability. Additionally, without attending Allie’s funeral, Holden does not fully accept his brother’s death as he was not given the opportunity to gain closure to move on. Without closure, overcoming difficulties seems unobtainable and becomes a lot more difficult. …show more content…
Although Holden understands his deficiency to form relationships, he wrongfully blames it on the phoniness in the world. By pointing out, “‘I know I am very hard to talk to’” Salinger presents Holden’s recognition of this characteristic not as a fault, while in fact, this real flaw represses Holden’s perspective on life (206). Holden expresses his hatred of phoniness quite often while labelling people phony as an excuse to avoid confrontation or the chance for any real relationships. As a result of the death of Allie whom Holden had a strong and loving relationship with, Holden does not even give himself the chance to have conversations with anyone before resorting to stereotyping. The type of suffering Holden experiences prevents him from creating lasting relationships and hinders his world view. With the belief that it is an external not internal problem, Holden unrealistically wants the world to change. His self-destructive flaw illustrates the importance of moving on and the loss of innocence to become a functioning member of society. Holden continuously characterizes everyone as phony stating, “if you sat around here long enough and heard all the phonies applauding you and all, you got to hate everyone in the world” (Salinger 157). Though this phoniness in the world is harmful, Holden is guilty of it