Holden Bowler

In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist Holden Caulfield suffers with his interminable shadow material. Holden is often found busying himself to avoid dealing with his shadow. His ignorance drives him to do immoral things, like lying and ordering a prostitute. When Ms. Morrow asked him about why he was coming home, Holden became uneasy and thought of a lie. “Then I started reading this timetable I had in my pocket. Just to stop lying. Once I got started, I can go…

The title of this book ”The Catcher In The Rye” is an Allusion to a Robert Burns poem: land the line. In this passage Holden uses Allusion to describe what he wishes to become in life. When he is talking to his sister Phoebe he references the poem "If a body meet a body comin' through the rye. " and changes the words to "If a body catch a body comin' though the rye. The importance of this line is revealed as he describes his dream of being a 'catcher in the rye" who can save children from the…

understand that even though Holden address very mature topics throughout the novel; his dream is to save the innocence of children. This idea of saving innocence also connects to the idea of Holden’s hatred for people he calls “phonies,” “phonies” are supposedly people who are not genuine, for example when people ask “how are you” but they really don’t care on the inside. He loves children and especially Phoebe because they do as they feel and children never mean harm. This is why Holden wishes…

complex protagonist, Holden Caulfield experiences numerous travesties throughout his life. The death of his younger brother which impacts his psyche which causes him to withdraw and abhor the adult world. Holden’s personality in this aspect is connected to his creator, a World War II veteran who fought in many traumatic battles and witnessed a concentration camp’s liberation. This caused Salinger to become a recluse in New Hampshire. The effects of trauma are apparent in Holden Caulfield and his…

S. N. Behrman discusses how Holden Caulfield’s difficulties with the people around him are comical although that is not his intent. Behrman classifies Holden’s interactions with others as a result of his innocent mindset. He brings into focus that Holden becomes attached to things that make him feel safe, such as the red cap, Allie’s mitt, and the record he bought for Phoebe. This parallels how Holden refuses to let go of his childhood innocence even though he is quickly approaching adulthood.…

Readers may assume that Holden is somewhat mature, given the adult topics he chooses to talk about in his book. However, as only some readers find, Holden is not ready for adulthood and wishes he could hold on to his childhood forever. When Holden is recalling his past experiences at the Museum of Natural History, he gives us an insight as to why he treasures the museum so much. “Nobody’d move. [...] Nobody’d be different”(135). This passage in the story focuses on something Holden is not…

So I’m reading this book called The Catcher in the Rye, and it’s written by this goddam phony, J.D. Salinger. I hear he used to be a real prince, old Salinger, till he became one of those hotshot Hollywood prostitutes, like my brother. If you really want to hear about it, my brother, D.B., is a real damn prostitute. Used to be a real prince and all, till he went out to Hollywood. It kills me. It really does. Anyway, let me tell you something about this book I’m reading by this J.D. Salinger guy,…

would each have different experiences than in their books as they are each unlike from each other. If Holden attended St. Ignatius he would dislike school. In Catcher in the Rye, Holden believes most people are phony. Holden said,”One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies”. Holden dislikes most people because they are phonies. At St. Ignatius, he would…

Holden Grows Up Change is inevitable; everyone has to go through it. Some people can deal with it and others cannot. In his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger portrays Holden Caulfield as someone who cannot handle change. He acts like an adult, but he wants to be a kid at heart. With his brother/best friend dead, Holden was left alone and depressed. The only person close to him was his ten year old sister. This causes Holden to withdraw from life and it makes him reluctant to change.…

will find out how each effect is being used in the novel to reveal Holden’s voice. One of Holden’s biggest fears in life was growing out of childhood and into adulthood. His thoughts between the statues of Eskimos and the Indians in the museum made Holden think everything is perfectly set and nothing will…