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the symbolic meanings of A Catcher in the Rye
the symbolic meanings of A Catcher in the Rye
symbolism in catcher in the rye essay
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The Catcher in the Rye - Symbolism
In the Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses different examples of symbolism
throughout the novel to let the reader into the thoughts of Holden Caulfield.
Three major examples of his symbolism are the ducks with the frozen pond,
Jane Gallagher, and the Museum of Natural History. Salinger uses all three
of these symbols to represent the thoughts of the central character, Holden
Caulfield.
While Holden Caulfield is wondering around New York City, he asks many people
what happens to the ducks when the pond freezes. The repetition of this
question symbolizes what Holden is truly asking for himself. He isn't trying
to find out what will happen to the ducks, he is really finding out about
himself by using the ducks symbolically. He wants to know what will happen
to him when the weather gets brutally cold. He is pondering on whether or
not to go home, which he is deftly afraid of doing, or stay outside and
freeze.
The other two symbols in the novel, Jane Gallagher and the Museum of Natural
History, both represent Holden's past. Jane Gallagher was an old friend of
Holden's whom he mentions quite often throughout the novel. He many times
mentions that he will call her, but he never builds up the nerve to. As S.N.
Behrman stated in his review for The New Yorker, "Jane Gallagher represents
his everlasting symbol of goodness." She is an important part of his past
that he misses a lot, and wants to have back again.
The Museum of Natural History represents a different aspect of Holden's past.
While Jane Gallagher makes Holden want to return to his past, the museum
changes his mind. He remembers how he used to go there all the time, and how
the wax figures were always the same, but from day to day, he was the only
thing that would change. This is exemplified in a criticism by Frank
Kermode, from the Speculator. Frank states, "Next he walks to the Museum of
Natural History, which he loved as a child; it seemed 'the only nice, dry
cozy place in the world.' Nothing changed there among the stuffed Indians
and Eskimos; except you. You changed every time you went in.
There South Asian background makes people view them as terrorists, geeky, and even computer geniuses. The views that the African Americans have of Sanjeet and Krush does not make it easy to for them to fit in. Sanjeet and Krush have to pick up different hobbies that might help them making friends and developing relationships with more people. In Desi Hoop Dream, Sanjeet and Krush pick up the game of basketball to try and fit in because they realize how big it is and the way people are able to connect through it in Georgia. Sanjeet and Krush have a hard time fitting in with basketball due to the feminine aspects of their basketball game. Feminine parts of Sanjeet and Krush’s game were not being tough and not being a threat on the court. They were looked upon as easy targets that did not know what was going on. As Sanjeet and Krush continue playing basketball they are soon able to gain respect and understand what is viewed as good and bad qualities. Edward Said said “No one today is purely one thing.” (Week One, Slide 14) Although Sanjeet and Krush are viewed upon as South Asian they try to then turn more diverse and pick up African American Cultures based upon where they live and what is necessary to fit in.
Thomas Jefferson was the chief opponent of the Federalists. He despised Hamilton’s plan. He and the rest of the Democratic-Republican party believed that it weakened their revolutionary ideals, specifically the idea that “all men are created equal,” because Hamilton’s plan favors insiders. They also believed that his plan divided the American people, geologically and economically. This goes against the idea of a United States of America. When writing to George Washington about Hamilton’s plan, Jefferson says, “His system flowed from principles adverse to liberty, and was calculated to undermine and demolish the Republic, by creating an influence of his department over the members of the Legislature” (Jefferson). In a letter written after Pinckney’s and Jay’s treaties were put into action, Jefferson says, “In place of that noble love of liberty, & republican government which carried us triumphantly thro’ the war, an Anglican monarchical, & aristocratical party has sprung up, whose avowed object is to draw over us the substance...of the British government” (Jefferson). This statement shows the hostility that Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans have towards the control that the Federalists have over their government and communications with other countries. The two parties have a lot of pressure and hostility between each other because they both think they believe
Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye 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 not to go home, enabling his parents to receive the letter that his headmaster 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.
A gesture that formerly connoted weakness grows to represent moral strength and provides a crucial step towards potential reconciliation. Within his text, Philpott expresses wholehearted belief in the power of apology stating, “Few acts undo the legitimacy of a crime more effectively than a perpetrator’s renunciation of it” (Philpott 205). Philpott describes the practice of apology as, “When a perpetrator apologizes, he condemns his own role in the political injustice and thus helps to defeat its standing victory from one angle. Yet, the victim retains his own freedom to decide how he will respond to the perpetrator and thus retains a measure of control over whether the standing victory of the injustice is defeated” (Philpott 264). Philosophically, the idea of apology within restorative justice and reconciliation could mark a reaffirmation of the fundamental moral principles of the community, promote national reconciliation, strengthen a principle of transnational cooperation and contribute to the improvement of international law and diplomatic relations. Following an apology, a relationship becomes possible between the perpetrator and the victim, which in turn creates the potential for a less hostile environment for the community, and marks a society’s affirmation of a set of virtues in contradistinction to a past of
Atticus knew it would be a long shot to win and yet he entered it with a passion because knowing him, a man full of excellent morales, he knew that everyone involved with it would come away with something positive, even if that thing was simply a different outlook or perception on the black or life in general. Atticus 's great compassion for Tom and his community as well as his understanding for his side of the story would soon come with multiple consequences that himself and his kids would have to endure. For instance on (p.104) he explains to scout the trouble she may up endure but to keep a positive outlook, "When summer comes you 'll have to keep your head above far worse things...it 's not fair for you and gem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down-well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you 'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn 't let you down...." He instils that once Scout and Jem are mature enough to understand these things, that they will know he never let them down. This excerpt/example further exemplifies his understanding of Jem and Scouts sake and what they will go through as little kids but
One of the similarities between bulimia and anorexia is that the two types of individuals
The soldiers at My Lai were in an environment conducive to obeying orders. They have been trained to follow the orders of their commanders; respect for authority is weighed heavily upon. It is hard for them to disobey because they have been integrated into the social structure of the military and when in the middle of a war they would have nowhere to turn if they choose to disobey the orders of their commanders. The consequences of disobedience for them could be sent to death. A classic example of the power of authoritative factors is provided by Stanley Milgram’s
Soldiers were forced to live like turtles, carrying their “homes” (tents and such) along with them in battle. Their equipment was also a hassle, but protected them well in battle. It consisted of mainly helmets and shields. They also carried personal equipment such as shoes, belts, over garments, etc. A soldier had to carry his weapons and artillery with him as well. He had spears, pilums, and pikes to be heaved at enemies. Pilums are spear like weapons that would be thrown at enemies in an attempt to pierce them through their shields. Gladiuses (swords) and Pugios (daggers) were the common hand held weapons. The Gladius was the perfect weapon for the legions because of their light weight and maneuverability. The Pugio was not only a weapon of war, but also had many common purposes.
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Innocence lies within everyone in at least one point in their lives, but as reality consumes them, that purity begins to vanish slowly as they learn new experiences. In the coming of age novel set in the nineteen-forties, J.D Salinger writes about a sixteen-year-old boy named Holden Caulfield who stands between a road that separates childhood from adulthood and is confused about which path to take. On a three-day trip in New York away from his family and fellow peers at school, Holden encounters many situations in which lead him to think twice about who he wants to become and how he wants to guide others who are in the same situation he is in. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D Salinger utilizes symbolism, vivid imagery, and slangy diction to expose Holden’s struggle to preserve the innocence of the people that he loves while alienating himself from the adult world he calls “phony.”
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With the recent Paris attacks and rumors of foreboding ISIS attacks, the topic of immigration comes up quite often in conversations. Topics such as how the immigrants should be dealt with, what exactly are the benefits and/or detriments of immigration, Donald Trump’s immigration plan, et cetera are usually discussed. With immigration gradually becoming a trending issue, various people have expressed their thoughts through means like social media and news sites. Joining this movement, this will be another text on the topic of immigration. The benefits of immigration will be presented, false information will be proven wrong, and why some people oppose immigration will be explained and discussed. Immigration should be widely accepted rather than
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That being said, it is entirely possible that some, if not all of, the products that were described in The Circle can and will be created some day. One philosopher in particular, George Lukacs, has studied the possibility of one day technology becoming too much, and essentially engulfing the human race. This line of thinking, known as reification, can best be described as “what occurs when we endow a human activity with the characteristics of a thing or things” (Marx 576). The Circle pretty much already endowed human activities with the characteristics of a thing when they invented the SeeChange cameras. The SeeChange cameras were set up on pretty much every square mile on the face of the earth, and have even become an accessory for some characters, including Mae. The fact that these cameras were pretty much set up everywhere really does mean that there is someone always watching your every move. It pretty much confirms that Big Brother is indeed always watching. The fact that some characters have even allowed the cameras to be worn around their necks in order for everyone to see exactly what they see only proves Lukacs’ point of endowing a human activity with the characteristics of a thing, in this case pretty much every human activity having the camera as a new
Many people on this earth grow up saying they would like to make a difference in this world. However, half of those people do not feel like putting in the work in order to do so. As an elementary education major, making a difference is one of the main goals. There are many benefits of becoming a teacher, and students benefit as well. In order to have many students successfully graduate from one grade to the next a teacher should be willing to put in as much work that is needed. Elementary school is where children are set up for the rest of their education. It is important to understand how to go into this career field, becoming a teacher has its own benefits, and the children are able to benefit from teachers.