Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye Essay
In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Holden is challenged with multiple obstacles of both society and life while struggling to find somewhere to go as well as a relationship with things, and even the world. From the start of the book, the audience begins to understand Holden’s perspective on society. Holden is easy to identify with because of how he interacts with people and the situations that are brought upon him to make him in fact a phony. The use of false identity throughout this novel has a major impact on Holden. He says the word “phony” towards many people multiple times in the book and sometimes uses it too much. Holden calls people this because he thinks they are fake or trying to be someone there not, but at the same time, he is acting the same way. When Stradlater comes home from his date with Jane, Holden’s old childhood friend, Holden says he is the “Governor’s son” and gives a back story to go along with his tap-dancing (Salinger 38). He creates this big imitation on how his father doesn’t want him to be a dancer. He realizes this scenario is corny, but it still brings him pleasure. Holden wants to be a grown up like Stradlater so he tries to be more mature even though that’s not who he is. He was “knocking himself out” like a little kid (38). He wants to have friends and fit in, but he is afraid of be coming too committed to anyone. Tapping on the floor, making a lot of noise, Holden tap-dances to get Stradlater’s attention, even though he stays very calm and doesn’t mind it. This is very good characterization of Stradlater and describes him as being the perfect foil by ignoring the noise. Holden hates the thought of movies and musicals because the people are acting like someone they’re not. This scene is ironic because Holden himself is being a phony by saying he is the Governor’s son. Many people like watching movies because they can escape form their life for a little while. On the other hand, Holden
In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Holden is challenged with multiple obstacles of both society and life while struggling to find somewhere to go as well as a relationship with things, and even the world. From the start of the book, the audience begins to understand Holden’s perspective on society. Holden is easy to identify with because of how he interacts with people and the situations that are brought upon him to make him in fact a phony. The use of false identity throughout this novel has a major impact on Holden. He says the word “phony” towards many people multiple times in the book and sometimes uses it too much. Holden calls people this because he thinks they are fake or trying to be someone there not, but at the same time, he is acting the same way. When Stradlater comes home from his date with Jane, Holden’s old childhood friend, Holden says he is the “Governor’s son” and gives a back story to go along with his tap-dancing (Salinger 38). He creates this big imitation on how his father doesn’t want him to be a dancer. He realizes this scenario is corny, but it still brings him pleasure. Holden wants to be a grown up like Stradlater so he tries to be more mature even though that’s not who he is. He was “knocking himself out” like a little kid (38). He wants to have friends and fit in, but he is afraid of be coming too committed to anyone. Tapping on the floor, making a lot of noise, Holden tap-dances to get Stradlater’s attention, even though he stays very calm and doesn’t mind it. This is very good characterization of Stradlater and describes him as being the perfect foil by ignoring the noise. Holden hates the thought of movies and musicals because the people are acting like someone they’re not. This scene is ironic because Holden himself is being a phony by saying he is the Governor’s son. Many people like watching movies because they can escape form their life for a little while. On the other hand, Holden