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Ambiguity in literature after World War II reflects and explores issues of self and society. These two ideas often work against each other instead of coexisting to form a struggle-free existence. J. D. Salinger, Sylvia Plath, and Richard Heller illustrate this struggle with their works. These authors explore ambiguity through different characters that experience the world in different ways. Identity, while it is an easy concept, can be difficult to attain. These authors seek out ambiguity with the human experience, coming to different conclusions. Ambiguity becomes a vehicle through which we can attempt to define humanity. J. D. Salinger’s novel, Catcher in the Rye, Sylvia Plath’s novel, The Ball Jar, and Richard Heller’s novel, Catch 22 explore ambiguity experienced through an attempt to find self. Each experience is unique, incapable of fitting a generic mold created by society. J. D. Salinger’s novel, Catcher in the Rye explores the ambiguity of the adult world Holden must eventually learn to accept. Throughout the novel, Holden resists the society grownups represent, coloring his childlike dreams with innocence and naivety. He only wants to protect those he loves, but he cannot do it the way he desires. As he watches Phoebe on the carousel, he begins to understand certain aspects of truth. He writes: “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around, I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don't know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could have been there” (Salinger 213). Holden realizes he must come to terms with how the world operates. ... ... middle of paper ... ...ing them how they should behave, and what they should feel. A sense of self is bigger than what one person or group of people can tell you; it is found from within. Salinger, Plath, and Heller capture ambiguity on a personal level; their characters must look within themselves and beyond the ambiguity to discover who they are. They could easily accept what society tells them, but they would be embarking on a journey of misery. They must be strong enough to resist what others tell them about war, themselves, and everyone else. The experiences are truly unique, even if they are painful. They reveal the journey of self. Works Cited Heller, Joseph. Catch 22. New York: Dell Publishing Co. 1961. Print. Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar. New York: Bantam Books. 1971. Print Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 1951. Print
In J.D. Sallinger's Catcher in the Rye, is based on the sullen life of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old teen-ager is trying to find his sense of direction. Holden, a growing adult, cannot accept the responsibilities of an adult. Eventually realizing that there is no way to avoid the adult life, he can only but accept this alternative lifestyle. What Holden describes the adult world as a sinful, corrupted life, he avoids it for three important reasons: His hatred towards phonies and liars, unable to accept adult responsibilities, and thirdly to enshrine his childhood youth.
J. D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", published in 1951, is his best piece of work. The story is about a sixteen-year old young man by the name of Holden Caulfield. Holden is being expelled from Pency Prep and decides to leave three days early. He chooses to not go home, enabling his parents to receive the letter that his head master at Pency Prep wrote to his parents about his expulsion. He chooses to hang around in New York until Wednesday, when he is going to be able to return home. Throughout the three days, Holden is having a difficult time finding out who he is.
Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. 1951. New York: Back Bay Books, 2001. Print.
Salinger, J. D.. The Catcher in the Rye. [1st ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 19511945. Print.
Salzman, J. The American Novel: New Essays on the Catcher in the Rye. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
If the symbolism in this novel is studied closely, there should be no astonishment in learning that The Catcher in the Rye took approximately ten years to write and was originally twice its present length. J.D. Salinger uses copious amounts. of symbolism in his novel to accurately convey the feelings of his main character, Holden, and, in essence, to reveal information pertaining to human sentiment. Many of these symbols contain irony, multiple meanings, and varying degrees of complexity. Through the comprehension of Salinger’s unique symbolism, however, The Catcher in the Rye can be truly understood and appreciated.
n.d. Web 12 Nov 2013 Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 1951.
In conclusion, the entire book, while being non-sequential and confusing throughout, still conveys its theme very well. This is mainly thanks to the author’s ability to bend the English language to his will, and the timing that it was released. It came out at a time that all war novels were heroic and romantic, yet do to Heller’s own Air Force experience he knew the truth about war, and by writing about it, he brings it to the foreground. The entire novel centers around and contributes to the theme that true war is not how it has been portrayed in the media of the day. It is actually a self-contained hell that is perpetuated by crazy leaders, death, and violence. This makes this novel one that should be required reading for all peoples in the world, so that we can better understand the truth about war, and maybe, just maybe, we will have fewer wars.
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger is not just a story about a teenage boy, going through hardships and complaining a lot. It is truly a tale about growing up, where you as a reader learn more about yourself and how you view others. J.D. Salinger uses Holden Caulfield, as a sort of bridge that teaches us about human nature, feelings and difficult times. J.D. Salinger achieved this very well because Holden is such a unique character but nevertheless we can all relate to him in some way. In this essay/analysis I will go through some of the underlying themes of the novel, that create it more than just a story about some kid in New York.
Salinger, J. D.. The Catcher in the Rye. 1st Back Bay pbk. ed. ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Print.
“Catcher in the Rye”, by J.D. Salinger, is a timeless classic of a boy just trying to find himself in world full of rejecting people. The main characters name is Holden Caulfield. Holden is a sixteen year old boy who has been expelled from a yet another school. Holden has many problems in his life ranging from girlfriends to family. He does not have many friends, the girl he used to love had sex with a boy he hates, and his little brother passed away at a very young age. No matter what Holden tries to do, it seems life only gets worse. Holden has a strange personality. He wants to hold onto every childhood aspect that he can yet have sex with a prostitute. Every character in “Catcher in the Rye” has very different personalities and characteristics; each of these characters represents and shapes Holden’s own personality. Phoebe is the childhood side while Mr. Antolini is his adult side.
Growing up is a difficult process for any young person. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, shows these ideals through Holden Caulfield, his main character, by showing how difficult it is for him to grow up and accept that he cannot stay adamant in his belief that all people are “phonies” and that his interpretation of people is very limiting. The time period this is set in gives Holden more ground for stereotypes and makes the reader understand why Holden’s mindset is so set in the way that he sees things. Salinger uses the characterization and point of view of Holden to show the internal struggles that people face while attempting to grow up.
John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and Orson Welles were all influential novelists of their time, but Jerome David Salinger dismissed them all. He did not want to be the next Hemingway, he wanted to be the greatest original American novelist of his time. Salinger’s early life really shaped his passion to become a writer. While enlisted in World War II, he changed as a writer for the better. A sort of a revolution occurred in 1951 after publication of The Catcher in the Rye which sold sixty-million copies over the past sixty years (Rosenbaum). Although many of J. D. Salinger’s stories and novels have been controversial, his books actually changed peoples lives for the better.
Catcher in the Rye is a novel written by J.D Salinger in 1951. The novel reflects some aspects of Salinger’s life as he goes through his issues and ordeals along with daily life. Not all scenarios in the novel relate to Salinger but there are some recognizable features which assist with concluding that the author is reflected in the story. The novel takes on a casual, informal tone which aroused readers of that time, claiming that his writing wasn’t “real literature.”
Since the beginning of time there have been billions of books written. From those books have come novels. From the novels have come masterpieces. From the masterpieces have come critically acclaimed titles. From those critically acclaimed titles have come classics. Classics represent the highest acknowledged standard of writing. The ingenuity of their literary elements is impeccable. A classic will inspire, intrigue, enlighten, and more importantly draw the reader into the world of the author. J. D. Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye provides an intimate glimpse into his life at the time of the story. The story portrays Holden Caulfield's trip to New York for three days, alone, at the age of sixteen. In essence, Holden Caulfield is J. D. Salinger whose peerless examples of mirrored characterization provide this glance. The purpose of this paper is to compare and evaluate literary criticisms pertaining to the theme and character of The Catcher In The Rye.