Let's Go Crazy

Holden Caulfield, in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, values consistent people in his life. This is because once he forms a special connection with someone he does not want it to change and risk losing it. Especially because he does not have many connections. Another reason is because Holden has previously had horrible experiences that causes him to fear change. Throughout the novel Holden expresses the relationship he shares with Jane. She is someone that he trusts and feels comfortable…

place in Phoebe's room shortly after Holden sneaks into his home. After spending time alone in New York, Holden decides to go back home and see his beloved little sister, Phoebe. She asks him the important question of what Holden wants to be, and he replies with imagery depicting being a "catcher in the rye". Holden's dream is to watch children and "catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff". This metaphor signifies Holden being a protector of youth and innocence. He values the wonder…

Holden was struggling, she wanted to do anything to help him. Toward the end when Holden is not able to deal with the world around him and thinks about running away, it was Phoebe that stopped him. Phoebe knew there was something wrong and wanted to go with him but the parents wouldn’t let her. Holden knew how much Phoebe cared about him and knew how much she helped him. He stays behind because he can’t accept the fact that if he runs away, Phoebe will be hurt and will suffer. It showed how…

Holden Caulfield, protagonist of the novel The Catcher in the Rye, has the disease Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, commonly shortened to PTSD. Holden has constantly showed indisputable evidence to show that he has this disease. These include anxiety, flashbacks of traumatic events,hostility and agitation,substance abuse, feelings of mistrusts, depression, and suicidal thoughts. According to reliable sources such as Mayo Clinic, Anxiety and Depression Associates of America, and The National…

The Phony’s Truth Throughout The Catcher in the Rye the reader can quickly come to the conclusion of Holden Caulfield’s love of criticizing others and calling them “phonies”, when in reality Holden is as much as a phony, and maybe ever more, than all of them. This is because of his continuous habit of lying to everyone and anyone, even in situations where it is not necessary. He is an unreliable narrator, and keeping up with what is true and what is not, may be a little challenging. His…

realizes that the world isn’t a perfect place because people lie and cheat in order to get what they want. This is seen when Mr. Ossenburger take advantage of other people while their mourning of their loved ones, he takes their money which is supposed to go to the graves of those who died. But instead, he ends up keeping the money and throwing the body into a ditch. Since Holden believes that he has met many phonies, he doesn’t want other kids to be exposed to their dishonest…

the real brutality of the world they live in. He is less focused in what he wants to accomplish as a person, and instead wants to save the purity in children. “I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy,” (Salinger 51). Esther however, wants to protect both herself and the morals of society. “But when it came right down to it, the skin of my wrist looked so white and defenseless that I couldn't do it. It was…

Throughout the whole story, Holden puts himself in difficult situations that even cause him to question his choices. An example of difficult decision making happens on page 206 when Holden explains to Phoebe that he is running away. Phoebe begs to go with him and he says,…

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.…

Conformity: Is it so Simple? Conforming; it almost seems too simple. Society pushes the agenda that growing up is an essential aspect to existing in a civilized society. A growing teenager’s life is hectic enough without the struggle of an external force; being society. In J.D. Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist Holden attempts to walk the line between preserving his individuality, and pushing the boundaries of social norms and societal unity. Through Holden, Salinger portrays…