The fiction novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger depicts a lonely teenager that struggles with growing up and entering the adult world. The author gives the lonesome boy two different advices, that he does not fully take in, through the separate conversations he has with his former English and History teachers. Holden, the main character, had a different response to each advice given from his teachers.
At the beginning of the novel, Mr. Spencer explains to Holden that "life is a game" (Salinger, 8). A game requires players to play "according to the rules" so that every competitor has a fair chance (Salinger, 8). Old Spencer rides on Dr. Thurmer's statement that life is a game. Thurmer implies that people who do not follow rules are usually kicked out, like Holden being expelled out of Pencey for "flunking four subjects and not applying" himself (Salinger, 4). Holden doesn't really take Spencer's advice into account because he believes that there is "no game" unless all the hot-shots are on the same side …show more content…
Antolini evaluates Holden's condition and feels that Holden is "riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall" (Salinger, 186). Most unfortunate people that continually have a reputation of not succeeding usually end up having a life they dislike. Holden's former History teacher came up with the conclusion of riding for some kind of terrible fall by evaluating Holden's action and predicting what will happen to him next. Holden's bad actions of failing and coming unprepared to class will also result in failure in his future life. Mr. Antolini believes that Holden will “keep falling and falling” if he does not reach his goal. (Salinger, 187). That Holden will give up “before he really even got started” (Salinger, 187). Antolini makes an effort to guide Holden because he does not want him to “die for a nobly cause” (Salinger, 187). He wants Holden to live a happy life, and to not die for something that was not worth
At the beginning of the novel, Mr. Spencer explains to Holden that "life is a game" (Salinger, 8). A game requires players to play "according to the rules" so that every competitor has a fair chance (Salinger, 8). Old Spencer rides on Dr. Thurmer's statement that life is a game. Thurmer implies that people who do not follow rules are usually kicked out, like Holden being expelled out of Pencey for "flunking four subjects and not applying" himself (Salinger, 4). Holden doesn't really take Spencer's advice into account because he believes that there is "no game" unless all the hot-shots are on the same side …show more content…
Antolini evaluates Holden's condition and feels that Holden is "riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall" (Salinger, 186). Most unfortunate people that continually have a reputation of not succeeding usually end up having a life they dislike. Holden's former History teacher came up with the conclusion of riding for some kind of terrible fall by evaluating Holden's action and predicting what will happen to him next. Holden's bad actions of failing and coming unprepared to class will also result in failure in his future life. Mr. Antolini believes that Holden will “keep falling and falling” if he does not reach his goal. (Salinger, 187). That Holden will give up “before he really even got started” (Salinger, 187). Antolini makes an effort to guide Holden because he does not want him to “die for a nobly cause” (Salinger, 187). He wants Holden to live a happy life, and to not die for something that was not worth