Critical Analysis Of The Catcher In The Rye

In the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield, the protagonist spends the entire book constantly thinking of the loss of innocence and being disgusted by the idea of phonies that surround him in this world. Through all of the eccentric experiences Holden goes throughout the book these thoughts seem to overwhelm him and continue to be deeply fixated in the mind of Holden. These issues were very dear to Holden as his mind intensely looked at the subject whenever time and his thoughts permitted him to do such. This obsession with looking into a crippling issue of a deeply flawed world is definitely present in this world. In America it’s evident that the worst problem that is faced is people’s inability to listen to people’s …show more content…
It’s definitely positive that people tend to have differing opinions throughout the country, but it has found an issue in people resisting to listen to the other side whenever they present their ideas. Many Americans take pride when they speak about the freedom that citizens have to freely express their ideas among the general public. What people used to brag about became a burden to many as people have alienated themselves from the other side and have unknowingly made themselves unable to listen to new ideas that are from different points of view. This issue is evident in The Catcher in the Rye as Holden refuses almost all of the advice that he is given about his future. When he was with Mr. Spencer, Mr. Spencer advised him to wise up when he said “I’d like to put some sense into that head of yours, boy. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you, if I can” (Salinger 14). Though this advice was given to Holden, he was still defiant, like he was to everyone else and denied to take the advice or even consider it. This is exactly what happens when people’s inability to even listen to ideas that are different come in the way. However, people have something as simple as a difference in opinion come in the way of being able to make the smarter decision. Doing something as elementary as acknowledging the other side and taking time to hear them out would be …show more content…
There is nothing wrong with a little argument that’s respectful to all sides, but anger fueled and hateful arguments are exactly what they aren’t supposed to be like. People can get upset when they enter these informal debates and at times resort to unnecessary tactics to deal with the discontent that they feel. However, this is unnecessary as it’s merely a friendly conversation were two sides are expressing their opinion with the goal of being understood. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden did the same when Phoebe had gotten in a fierce conversation with him. When Phoebe told him he doesn’t like anything Holden retaliated by saying “I do! That’s where you’re wrong! Why the hell do you have to say that?” (Salinger 169). Holden overreacted and riled up and could’ve handled the situation better than he did. The bigger picture of the issue is that it can be solved without any aggressiveness or particular ill will. This message is an important one as Americans live in a time period where a simple exchange of ideas between human beings can easily take a violent turn that could easily be prevented. With this occurring people can become like Holden and slowly alienate themselves from society. This could actually explain Holden’s unkind behavior towards Ackley and why he said things like “In the first place, I wouldn’t