Catcher In The Rye Theme Essay

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Recommended: innocence in american literature

Richard Schufreider
Ms. Danay
1 April, 2014
Catcher In The Rye
In a world filled with hate, suffering, and disadvantages, it has come into my curiosity what the world would be like if all were still patient, kind, and filled with innocence. In the book, Catcher In the Rye, JD Salinger produces the theme, loss of innocence, through the main character, Holden, who is eager yet patient about losing his innocence in multiple examples. Holden has a very strong personality and is very independent. With these characteristics, he can determine what he should or shouldn’t do in his life, however, he is very troubled and misunderstood. In the book, Catcher In the Rye, Holden focuses much of his time, energy, and thoughts on his innocence, and the innocence of the children around him. He is very opinionated and tries with all of his being to change things back to their prime innocence. Holden lives in a dream world within his mind and battles through reality as his thoughts become known throughout this story, Catcher In The Rye.
Holden does not like the thought of growing up. As Holden starts to experience different thoughts and desires upon himself, he tries to wish them away. He doesn’t understand why he thinks some of the thoughts that no man should ever acknowledge, in his opinion the least. As he narrates the story, he states: “I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another "Fuck you" on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldn't come off. It's hopeless, anyway. If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn't rub out even half the "Fuck you" signs in the world. It's impossible.” (25,18) Holden tends to not to have enamour about the actions th...

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...ple out there that still have innocence left in them and he is willing to do anything to “save them.” To Holden, adults are phonies and children have too much going for them to waste it on sin and redemption.
In The Catcher In The Rye, Holden encounters and experiences many different actions taking place that he himself does not understand. He comes to realize that adults experience a transition in order to become adults- loss of innocence. Holden does not like the idea of losing his innocence and would like for him and the kids of the future to hold onto their innocence forever. With this idea, Holden thinks the world would be much of a better place. With Holden’s strong personality, independence, and will power, he can accomplish anything in his bright future to come. Holden is very misunderstood and troubled but with maturity his thoughts will be his advantages.

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