In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger he uses the novel to make social commentary upon humanity’s desire. He also shows humanity’s desire to achieve intimacy and connection within the postmodern world. Through humanity’s desire he shows the different types of relationships and intimacy Holden attempts. Salinger also shows the role of sexuality and how Holden’s sexual relationships differ from his nonsexual. Salinger comments upon a postmodern family and its meaning to the protagonist. Salinger also shows characterization through Holden Caulfield and shows his views upon humanity. He also shows symbolism throughout the novel.
One of Humanity’s desires is pleasure and intimacy and Salinger shows this through Holden. Holden was offered a …show more content…
“In my mind, I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw” (62). In a sense the reader can infer that Holden is fascinated with the idea of sex, however he claims that sex is something he doesn’t understand. He later stated he was feeling horny and attempted to have intimate relationships with Faith Cavendish, a former burlesque stripper, the blonde from the Lavender Room known as Bernice, and a prostitute by the name of Sunny. When Holden tried to attain a sexual relationship with these women, he questioned his self-worth. Holden believes sex isn’t worth the trouble and it should be with someone you deeply care about emotionally. Holden’s attempts at a sexual relationship failed because he was more of an affectionate character, because of his views toward sex. Holden believed Jane Gallagher was different and his relationship with Jane was based on compassion, while Stradlater’s was based off of bad intentions. With Sally he attempted an emotional and nonsexual relationship, yet he never achieved this. His nonsexual encounters made him more comfortable. His feelings toward women weren’t based on sexual encounters, but were based on strong empathy and communication …show more content…
His perceptions of humanity is that he believes their superficial. Holden judges people and always jumps to conclusions about their phoniness, yet he’s a phony himself. Holden is a phony because he’s a liar. He masquerades as someone he’s not, and he vents about his friends, despite the fact he advocates the need for charity. Holden is skeptical of the adult world, because of his beliefs that its filled with phonies. He Sets himself with this constant distrust of adults because his parents were, “occupied and all before they had” (1). This suspicion of adults is his excuse for keeping his relationships empty and meaningless by always “shooting the old bull” (9) when communicating. Holden is skeptical of this because he’s had many experiences and remembers everything. Salinger throughout the novel shows how Holden disagrees with things changing. He wants everything to remain the same and when change occurs, he reacts. He fears the adult world and wants to protect children and their innocence from
One of Humanity’s desires is pleasure and intimacy and Salinger shows this through Holden. Holden was offered a …show more content…
“In my mind, I’m probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw” (62). In a sense the reader can infer that Holden is fascinated with the idea of sex, however he claims that sex is something he doesn’t understand. He later stated he was feeling horny and attempted to have intimate relationships with Faith Cavendish, a former burlesque stripper, the blonde from the Lavender Room known as Bernice, and a prostitute by the name of Sunny. When Holden tried to attain a sexual relationship with these women, he questioned his self-worth. Holden believes sex isn’t worth the trouble and it should be with someone you deeply care about emotionally. Holden’s attempts at a sexual relationship failed because he was more of an affectionate character, because of his views toward sex. Holden believed Jane Gallagher was different and his relationship with Jane was based on compassion, while Stradlater’s was based off of bad intentions. With Sally he attempted an emotional and nonsexual relationship, yet he never achieved this. His nonsexual encounters made him more comfortable. His feelings toward women weren’t based on sexual encounters, but were based on strong empathy and communication …show more content…
His perceptions of humanity is that he believes their superficial. Holden judges people and always jumps to conclusions about their phoniness, yet he’s a phony himself. Holden is a phony because he’s a liar. He masquerades as someone he’s not, and he vents about his friends, despite the fact he advocates the need for charity. Holden is skeptical of the adult world, because of his beliefs that its filled with phonies. He Sets himself with this constant distrust of adults because his parents were, “occupied and all before they had” (1). This suspicion of adults is his excuse for keeping his relationships empty and meaningless by always “shooting the old bull” (9) when communicating. Holden is skeptical of this because he’s had many experiences and remembers everything. Salinger throughout the novel shows how Holden disagrees with things changing. He wants everything to remain the same and when change occurs, he reacts. He fears the adult world and wants to protect children and their innocence from