Hero Essays
J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye illustrates the story of an adolescent going through a period of perception-changing times in his life. The story is told from the point of view of the main character and protagonist, Holden Caulfield, a junior in high school. Throughout the novel, Holden is going through a phase in which he realizes the “phony” nature of the people in the world. Overall, the story encompasses themes such as loss and confusion ultimately resolved with advice for finding oneself. Clearly, many young adults undergoing a paradigm shift or a maturing from adolescence can relate the book’s protagonist on a personal or even spiritual level. Because of his relatable journey, I view Holden Caulfield as a hero, not in the archetypal sense, but as a champion for those struggling to find a sense of direction in their lives. Holden’s entire character has not been fully established yet as he is still immature and has no definite plans for his future. He had been kicked out of three schools for not applying himself, and he calls people who act “fake” in real life “phonies.” However, what makes Holden Caulfield such an important character is that he is going through what many have experienced or are experiencing: the transition from childhood to manhood.
On the contrary, Holden seems to resist this transition as he was never serious about his schools. In fact, he came to the point where he thought of ending his life in chapter 14. He writes, “What I really felt like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window.” Of course, many teenagers have had the same feeling, although I am an exception to this. In chapter 17, he explains to Sally everything he resented about school. “It’s full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to buy a goddam Cadillac some day,” he continues. Eventually, he came up with the idea of running away with Sally up north. With this, Holden shows he has never given thought to his actual future and what he plans to be. At this part of the plot, I did not really identify myself with the character of Holden Caulfield anymore.
I on the other hand do plan on attending college for medicine. Holden in chapter 17 embodied the rebellious nature of some teenagers who, much like the protagonist, choose to run away from his/her problems.The symbolism J. D. Salinger inserts into the story can provide more to the theme. There is a recurring thought that Holden has concerning the ducks inhabiting the lagoon in Central Park in New York City and where they go when the lake freezes up. Holden brings up this train of thought in various locations. The first was in his meeting with Mr. Spencer and again on two different cab rides. The symbolism behind this is that the ducks represent himself and his refusal to adapt to a changing environment. It puzzled him how the ducks would have to move and where. This is where I can relate to Holden. Growing up and moving on is difficult, but it is necessary for life. Holden Caulfield is a hero through what he has endured and who he can emulate. I myself do not relate to him as I have already been through what he has gone through, at a lesser degree, of course, but he can be seen, by some, as an example for a refusal to adapt. He is not a hero that is perfect or super strong, but he is a hero that inspires and relates himself to the common adolescent.
Referent Power I. Topic of Inquiry It is important for managers to understand the sources of power and influence as they must rely upon the cooperation of subordinates in order to be successful. Strong managers rely upon more than just authority they also use leadership skills and power to obtain the most productivity from their […]
Every successful movement through speeches has always conveyed a more in depth message of the writer’s true purpose. There are many ways in which a writer uses rhetorical devices such as diction, style of word arrangement, purpose, and tone in order to achieve his effects upon his audience. Although there are different uses of rhetorical […]
In London, a dystopian society has been established where there are curfews, strict laws, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear that prevents people from venturing outside. This fear is unlike any other experienced before. The people of London have turned to the corrupt government for assistance, only to be deceived and further instilled with fear. […]
Power: If you want to use your power effectively, learnt about the other parry’s needs, interests, and goals. AllenR. Cohen. Power basically is the function of dependency which does not require goal compatibility. In the words of Max Weber: “Power is the probability that one actor within the relationship will be in a position to […]
(a) Explain FIVE (5) sources in which leader power has been identified. Include specific examples of each source of power to support your answer. (15 marks) Power is a measure of a person’s ability to control the environment around them, including the behavior of other persons. Power is not exclusive to leaders and managers; subordinates […]
Introduction The ancient Romans defined peace as “absentia belli”, meaning the absence of war. Peace is characterized by harmony and the absence of hostility, contrasting with war. Despite humans’ natural inclination for peace, prosperity, and civilization, they have frequently sought these objectives through warfare. The origins of war can be traced back to humanity’s pessimistic […]
In On the Genealogy of Morals, Nietzsche delves into the theme of power and how it is linked to guilt, cruelty, and asceticism. He argues that humans are motivated by a desire to assert their power and inflict suffering upon themselves and others. Nietzsche’s analysis highlights the ways in which individuals seek control over their […]
The Power of Thought Dmitri Staicov Professor Serguey Ivanov RLG 200a New Age Spirituality April 28, 2008 Introduction “Whatever a mind can conceive, it can achieve. ” W. Clement Stone (1902-2002) “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right. ” Henry Ford (1863-1947) People have been exploring their thoughts […]
“Little BOY’ dropped over the Japanese town of Hiroshima was so devastating that the people only had an instant to react before feeling the effects? “A Noiseless Flash”, the first chapter in the novel Hiroshima was written by John Hershey, 1914-1993, describes the overall situation and feelings of the bomb through six characters. John Hershey […]
Considered to be an autoimmune disorder, MS attacks the myelin sheaths which surround and protect the nerve fibers. The affected myelin then forms scar tissue (hence the name), also referred to as plaques or lesions, which can damage the nerve fibers and disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses from the CONS (brain and spinal cord) […]
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller Salem is on the brink of disaster because of a bunch of girls trying to stay out of trouble. Reverend Hale, an expert on witchcraft comes into town in an attempt to stop all the chaos. He eventually fights a battle between what is right, and upholding his beliefs. […]
Summit Power Limited (SPL) is a Bangladeshi Independent Power Producer (IPP) and the only local company providing power to the national grid in private electricity generation and supply. It was incorporated as a Private Limited Company on March 30, 1997, and became a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act 1994 on June 7, 2004. […]
Surely this is not well, when all our thoughts should be, how to discharge the gods command. ’ In the ply Oedipus Rex, it is impossible to turn away from the power of the gods. They are in control of life, destiny and fate. Queen Jocasta discovers that there is no way to thwart a […]
Andrew Jackson is commonly attributed with being among the most notable or notorious United States Presidents. Depending on the observer’s beliefs, it’s possible to view Andrew Jackson’s presidency in both a positive and negative light. Some historians assert that he violated presidential rights, whereas others argue that his actions strengthened political authority. Andrew Jackson’s leadership […]
According to Deborah Tannen, communication is not solely about conveying meaning; it also encompasses the manner in which it is accomplished. People have different ways of communicating, and language serves as a tool for expressing thoughts. However, social behavior holds even greater significance as a means of communication (Tannen: 244). Language is a learned social […]
Throughout history there have been many different sentiments referring to the type of leading that would take to a successful society. In “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. a group of civilized male children is left on an uninhabited island with no grownups to steer them. The male children must take a leader and […]
“Race: The Power of Illusion” is a set of three videos that challenges the concept of race. In particular, the first video called “The Difference Between Us” features modern scientific fields that question the common notion of race – the classification of humans into three or four groups based on physical appearance (California Newsreel, 2007). […]
The significance of water in sustaining life cannot be overstated, as it constitutes approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface and 65% of the human body. Water’s distinct physical and chemical properties make it a crucial element in scientific research, with its capacity to undergo transformations between solid, liquid, and gaseous states readily observable in nature. […]
Throughout history, women have been viewed as weak, dependent, and helpless due to their perceived inferiority to men. This unjust perception has been prevalent since early historical records, but modern times have brought about significant change and greater opportunities for women. The portrayal of women as weak is evident in literary and historical archetypes. The […]
Teachers are responsible for shaping the minds of young individuals who will become future leaders and shape the destiny of the world and their country. It is their critical duty to ensure that children receive comprehensive education, despite instances of deviance and lack of literacy within communities. There is increasing concern over who should be […]
The Thousand and One Nights is not just a series of tales told by Scheherazade, who keeps on spinning new yarn each night to the Sultan to stay alive for one more day! It is a serious document of the society of Arab in that era when women were looked down upon as inferior subalterns, […]
Methamphetamine abuse is prevalent in various countries including the low country where it has become a major concern. Considerable amounts of money are invested in rehabilitating addicts, preventing drug trafficking into the US and reducing drug-related offences. The negative impact of meth on families is devastating, but raising awareness about its harmful effects may deter […]
