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Holden Caulfield Heroism

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Holden Caulfield Heroism
The Hero's Journey occurs when someone in an ordinary place in life is called to action; aided by a mentor, allies, or tools; undergoes several tests leading to a final event in which the hero receives some sort of reward which is then used to bring enlightenment to those around them. Aristotle defines the tragic hero as someone who has noble goals and ideas who is unable to achieve their goals due to their own flaws. There are many examples of tragic heroism in Holden Caulfield, the main character of The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Holden has several goals throughout the course of the novel but his progress is often interrupted by his hypocrisy, immaturity and his inability to see the beauty or meaning of life.
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