Catcher in the Rye Essay
1001379
Harper
AP Literature
6 November 2014
The Catcher in the Rye Typed Essay – Prompt #1 J.D. Salinger's coming of age novel, The Catcher in the Rye, follows mental institute patient Holden Caulfield as he narrates his experiences and struggles in a world full of what he likes to call, “phonies” (13). Throughout the novel, Holden oscillates between childhood and adulthood as he desires to be “the catcher in the rye”: he hopes to “catch all the children that “start to go over the cliff” and preserve their innocence (173). As Holden remains stagnant in his transition into adulthood, he never properly contends with the death of his younger brother, Allie, which causes him to isolate himself and emanate anger and negativity; however, he still remembers his brother in positive, distinctive ways such as being “the most intelligent” and “nicest” “member in the family,” and having “very red hair” (38). As a result of harboring indignation over his brother's passing, Holden's actions fluctuate between moral and immoral. Holden's morally ambiguous character illuminates the theme that growing up is inevitable. After Allie's death, Holden recoils back with juvenile behavior. With his ire, he “[breaks] all the windows in [his] garage” “with his fist” and “[sleeps] in the garage the night [Allie] dies” (39). He then “[tries] to break all the windows on [a] station wagon [his family] has that summer” but refrains from doing so to avoid further injuring his already broken hand. Consequently, Holden's belligerence fuels his immaturity and leads to him not being able to “make a real fist anymore,” or at least, “not a tight one” (39). Also, his attitude reveals his lack of self-control and his scandalous reaction to an unfortunate event. Although this serves as his way of dealing with his anger, he sadly, does not properly bemoan his brother's death. This emphasizes how he chooses to isolate himself and shroud his own despondency behind his anger. Furthermore, this portrays his
Harper
AP Literature
6 November 2014
The Catcher in the Rye Typed Essay – Prompt #1 J.D. Salinger's coming of age novel, The Catcher in the Rye, follows mental institute patient Holden Caulfield as he narrates his experiences and struggles in a world full of what he likes to call, “phonies” (13). Throughout the novel, Holden oscillates between childhood and adulthood as he desires to be “the catcher in the rye”: he hopes to “catch all the children that “start to go over the cliff” and preserve their innocence (173). As Holden remains stagnant in his transition into adulthood, he never properly contends with the death of his younger brother, Allie, which causes him to isolate himself and emanate anger and negativity; however, he still remembers his brother in positive, distinctive ways such as being “the most intelligent” and “nicest” “member in the family,” and having “very red hair” (38). As a result of harboring indignation over his brother's passing, Holden's actions fluctuate between moral and immoral. Holden's morally ambiguous character illuminates the theme that growing up is inevitable. After Allie's death, Holden recoils back with juvenile behavior. With his ire, he “[breaks] all the windows in [his] garage” “with his fist” and “[sleeps] in the garage the night [Allie] dies” (39). He then “[tries] to break all the windows on [a] station wagon [his family] has that summer” but refrains from doing so to avoid further injuring his already broken hand. Consequently, Holden's belligerence fuels his immaturity and leads to him not being able to “make a real fist anymore,” or at least, “not a tight one” (39). Also, his attitude reveals his lack of self-control and his scandalous reaction to an unfortunate event. Although this serves as his way of dealing with his anger, he sadly, does not properly bemoan his brother's death. This emphasizes how he chooses to isolate himself and shroud his own despondency behind his anger. Furthermore, this portrays his