J.D. Salinger uses this first example of imagery in The Catcher in the Rye to show that the things we see in the world can change how we view the world and the people in it. “There didn't look like there was anything in the park except dog crap and globs of spit and cigar butts from old men, and the benches all looked like they'd be wet if you sat down on them” (Salinger 124). Using the park, Salinger uses imagery to show the way Holden sees the world. Through Holden’s sense of sight, he sees the “dog crap and globs of spit and cigar butts from old men.” This shows the world as a destructive, ugly, and gross place. Holden never sees the positive light of things, which could be due to his depression. “The carousel has suggested to Holden the
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“And the inside of that auditorium had such a nice smell. It always smelled like it was raining outside even if it wasn't, and you were in the only nice, dry, cozy place in the world” (Salinger 140). This quote references how Holden views the world. He uses his sense of smell to compare the smell of rain to a nice cozy place. The rain represents the society that Holden attempts to avoid, the smell of rain represents the hope in the world and Holden’s maturing throughout the book, and the nice cozy place is Holden’s current state of running from society. This quote conveys the progress that Holden has made from the beginning of the book to the reader. He starts to attain the ability to see the good in things. This is unlike the beginning of the book when all he could see was the negative and hopelessness of a situation. So, even in this bad world, he is able to grow, mature, and try to see the good in a situation. “Alienation results from the emptiness of elitist educational traditions that equate contentment with career achievement and middle-class respectability” (Curnutt 103). This quote refers to the fact that Holden may feel his dissatisfaction for the world and with himself because of the environment that he is forced to grow up in. Holden’s quest within this novel is to overcome the idea that he …show more content…
“There was the same massive, black wood, glass-topped desk, the same red carpet, the same glass-enclosed wooden bookcases jammed tight with books, the same musty old-book odor in the air, the same single lightbulb glowing white behind its ceiling fixture” (Potok 280). This example of imagery shows how the environment the boys lived in stays the same, it is Daniel and Reuven that change and overcome their obstacles. Reuven talks about the office like he is surprised it remains the same when so many things have changed within themselves. Both Reuven and Daniel evolve from young boys doing their weekly scripture discussions in the office, to men who are ready to go their own ways. “The final eye reference in the novel is on the last page when Danny's eyes glow as he realized that he will soon be studying at Columbia University where there will be so much more of the world to 'see'” (Sternlicht 110). Daniel’s father is the final obstacle Danny has to face to become his own person. When the barrier is finally crossed, Daniel sees the growth and possibility ahead of him. He looks forward to more growth than he has already had in his coming school
“And the inside of that auditorium had such a nice smell. It always smelled like it was raining outside even if it wasn't, and you were in the only nice, dry, cozy place in the world” (Salinger 140). This quote references how Holden views the world. He uses his sense of smell to compare the smell of rain to a nice cozy place. The rain represents the society that Holden attempts to avoid, the smell of rain represents the hope in the world and Holden’s maturing throughout the book, and the nice cozy place is Holden’s current state of running from society. This quote conveys the progress that Holden has made from the beginning of the book to the reader. He starts to attain the ability to see the good in things. This is unlike the beginning of the book when all he could see was the negative and hopelessness of a situation. So, even in this bad world, he is able to grow, mature, and try to see the good in a situation. “Alienation results from the emptiness of elitist educational traditions that equate contentment with career achievement and middle-class respectability” (Curnutt 103). This quote refers to the fact that Holden may feel his dissatisfaction for the world and with himself because of the environment that he is forced to grow up in. Holden’s quest within this novel is to overcome the idea that he …show more content…
“There was the same massive, black wood, glass-topped desk, the same red carpet, the same glass-enclosed wooden bookcases jammed tight with books, the same musty old-book odor in the air, the same single lightbulb glowing white behind its ceiling fixture” (Potok 280). This example of imagery shows how the environment the boys lived in stays the same, it is Daniel and Reuven that change and overcome their obstacles. Reuven talks about the office like he is surprised it remains the same when so many things have changed within themselves. Both Reuven and Daniel evolve from young boys doing their weekly scripture discussions in the office, to men who are ready to go their own ways. “The final eye reference in the novel is on the last page when Danny's eyes glow as he realized that he will soon be studying at Columbia University where there will be so much more of the world to 'see'” (Sternlicht 110). Daniel’s father is the final obstacle Danny has to face to become his own person. When the barrier is finally crossed, Daniel sees the growth and possibility ahead of him. He looks forward to more growth than he has already had in his coming school