The Catcher In The Rye Essay Example

continues, he begins to feel sorry for Mrs. Morrow or, at the very least, feels guilty about himself. This is because Mrs. Morrow possesses a pleasant and uncomplicated personality.

This passage reveals a side of Holden's character that becomes more prominent as the book progresses. It demonstrates that beneath his usual bravado, Holden is actually quite sensitive. Throughout the book, he develops strong emotions for certain individuals.

Although this particular section does not explicitly showcase this aspect, it exemplifies his capacity to empathize with others.

In this episode, Holden's character reveals another facet of his personality. Throughout the book, he has a recurring tendency to make jokes and tell lies when interacting with unfamiliar people, but without any intention of causing harm or malice. This incident illustrates that behavior as an example. One possible explanation for Holden's actions is that unconsciously he is trying to escape from his own world, which he perceives as lacking anything good except for his friends and family. The next episode I will discuss in my essay (Chapter 0, Pages 60-61) involves a member or possibly more than one member of Holden's family. It specifically focuses on Holden expressing his opinion about his younger sister named 'Phoebe'.

Holden experiences a sudden 'impulse' to call Phoebe, which indicates the importance she holds in his life. He proceeds to provide a detailed description of Phoebe and other family members, emphasizing the significant influence they have on him. Through his admiration and high regard for Phoebe, it becomes evident that she is the only individual who truly comprehends Holden. To support this claim, Holden compares his parents to other people in his life and highlights their differing

mindset despite their love for him.

The text highlights another group of individuals who are considered his friends. It emphasizes that the book effectively portrays how he rarely reveals his true nature to the majority of people in his life. Although his friends may appear to have a better understanding of him compared to others, their perspective is not flawless. Throughout the entire book, Holden frequently talks about his younger sister, praising her as an exceptional child who comprehends everything he shares with her. This can be interpreted as a manifestation of his more tender side.

Infrequent throughout the book, the portrayal of Holden in his genuine form typically occurs when he is interacting with Phoebe. J. D. Salinger, the author, employs a consistent style of writing to effectively depict the protagonist in a favorable manner and from the appropriate perspective.

This episode illustrates the author's effective writing style, as Holden's tendency to repeat things is highlighted. For instance, he mentions wanting to call his sister Phoebe twice by saying, "... I damn near gave my little sister Phoebe a buzz. I certainly felt like phoning her." Although my description may not fully convey it, this technique captures Holden's character perfectly. Throughout the story, he consistently appears melancholic. In the next chapter, I will focus on his interaction with a prostitute.

13, Pp 82-88). The central idea conveyed in this essay is the heightened sensitivity of Holden. Initially, Holden appears open to the porter's proposition. Nevertheless, it becomes clear later on that Holden feels remorseful about his decision. In the novel, his choice to invite a prostitute to his room is depicted as one made in a particular state:

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The protagonist is deeply depressed to the point where he cannot think coherently. When the prostitute enters his room, his anxiety is already heightened due to being a virgin, as portrayed in the book. As she begins undressing, his nervousness intensifies, causing him to invent excuses and distractions in order to avoid engaging in sexual activity with her. It is evident that outside of the company of friends or putting on a facade of bravado, he displays a heightened level of sensitivity and authenticity. In essence, he truly reveals his genuine character when not influenced by others. The encounter with the prostitute also sheds light on his emotions towards other individuals.

In the midst of the event, she informs him about her new dress, prompting his reflection on how she seemed like a normal girl but wasn't. "It made me feel somewhat melancholic... to think that the salesman believed she was an ordinary girl when she made the purchase." Holden's interactions with others often reveal his deep understanding of relationships. He appears to be someone who values getting to know and comprehend a person before engaging in any intimate activities, prioritizing the feelings of others almost as much as his own. In a sense, he could be characterized as considerate.

The author describes how he pays attention to what others say, even when emotions are running high. He acknowledges that his tendency to listen to girls when they ask him to stop is his downfall. Furthermore, the passage highlights Holden's habit of confiding in unfamiliar individuals. Despite being engaged with a prostitute, he digresses and discusses unrelated topics.

Despite not being completely precise, Holden's "policy" in this passage

is a clear indication of his desperate state. As the book progresses, his depression grows and he constantly faces additional hardships from others, exacerbating the situation. This desperation prompts him to seek companionship from individuals with whom he has no real connection, such as taxi drivers and prostitutes. While this excerpt refers to a later event in the book, Holden's conversation with the taxi driver regarding the ducks on the lake serves as a prime illustration of how this desperation permeates his daily existence.

He lacks understanding and trustworthy individuals in his immediate vicinity, prompting him to construct them from the people he encounters. Another portion of the text that I have decided to incorporate in this composition is the chapter where Holden lodges at his former instructor's (Mr. Antolini, whom he held in high regard) residence (Chapter 24, Pages 163-174). During this segment, Holden has no alternative lodging in New York City, hence he seeks shelter at Mr. Antolini's abode.

In this section, Holden primarily discusses with Mr. Antolini. However, towards the end, an incident occurs where Mr. Antolini appears to stroke Holden's head. Regardless of whether this gesture is simply an act of friendship or signifies something deeper, Holden has a powerful reaction.

He almost runs out of the apartment, using the feeble excuse of needing to get his bags from the station. This entire passage, including the encounter with Mr. Antolini, reveals significant aspects of Holden's personality and inner emotions.

The text highlights the unique ability of Holden to perceive things in people that others may overlook. This ability stems from his close friendship with someone who is older and considered superior to him. Forming a

friendship with a teacher, which is not a common occurrence in schools or cultures, further emphasizes Holden's distinctiveness. Throughout his school life, Holden appears to have friendly relationships with a majority of people, even if he doesn't particularly care for them. He tends to befriend those who are unconventional or uncommon.

There are rare individuals who effortlessly get along with everyone in real life. Finding or creating such a person is a remarkable achievement, even if it's only within the pages of literature. Going back to a previous point, Holden stands out distinctly from his surroundings. While others his age are content with simple pleasures, he delves deeper. While many teenagers experience moments of depression during their adolescent years, Holden challenges his world and questions if there is a way to alter its fundamental impact on him. The pivotal event in this passage revolves around Mr. Antolini.

The focus is not on whether Antolini was making advances towards Holden, but rather on how Holden reacted. I can't imagine any average man who wouldn't have responded similarly in that situation. However, some may question this aspect of Holden's personality. He is understanding and pays attention to women, forming friendships with them, but some argue that it's not important. Nevertheless, Holden is a person with authentic emotions, which leads me to another point about this passage: he is highly emotionally conscious, as an American talk show host might say.

Despite the perceptions of others, Holden openly expresses his emotions and this greatly affects his lifestyle. His emotions have a tendency to influence those around him, displaying characteristics of a leader. Throughout the book, it becomes clear that Holden is not

a follower but rather actively engages with his environment and impacts everyone in his vicinity through his actions.

The topic I want to discuss is the impact of Phoebe, Holden's younger sister, on his life. The selected passage (Chpt. 25 Pp 189-191) focuses on a significant conversation involving Phoebe towards the end of the book. As Holden prepares to leave and pursue his fantasy of living in the woods with his dream girl (which ultimately never happens), this conversation takes place. It begins with Phoebe expressing her desire to ride a carousel. While she gets her wish, what stands out most in this passage is the deep admiration and affection shared between Holden and Phoebe.

The passage highlights the small gestures that demonstrate a great deal of affection. For instance, when it starts raining, Phoebe reaches into Holden's pocket, retrieves his red hunting hat, and places it on his head. Additionally, the author's portrayal of Phoebe's movements and actions reflects the emotions shared by both Phoebe and Holden. While slightly tangential, the book's subdued yet profound emotional depth suggests that the writer may have experienced a similar relationship to the one depicted between Holden and Phoebe. Ultimately, to summarize this book, it can be said that decoding Holden's character is quite challenging.

He possesses numerous outlets for his emotions, and these are the sole factors that guide us towards his motivations, his cherished possessions, and his views on himself, his family, friends, and even strangers he encounters. Summarizing Holden in a concise manner is impossible, but I believe I have made a sincere attempt at this task in the preceding pages.