Esther Greenwood faced pressures and expectations in The Bell jar unalike Holden Caulfield’s . Her character deals with the gap between what society tells her and reality. When Esther’s Scholarship takes her to New York. She knows she has a great opportunity and should make the best of it. Ester demonstrates that with this quote from the book. “I guess I should have been excited the way most of the other girls were, but I couldn't get myself to react. (I felt very still and very empty, the way the eye of a tornado must feel, moving dully along in the middle of the surrounding hullabaloo.”(Plath 3). At the same time she endures a beginning to the worst possible situations in her life. In particular after getting acquainted with her surroundings. …show more content…
Holden’s peer’s see that he is fighting the changes that come along with growing up. Seen in this quote from Holden’s old friend Luce “When are you going to grow up Caulfield “(Salinger 161). Also in a quote from Holden himself. “ The best thing about the museum was that everything always stayed right where it was .Nobody's move , Nobody's be different .The only thing that would be different would be you.(Salinger 135). Caulfield’s actions of immaturity and isolation proves the fact that he doesn’t want to grow up. He enjoys the simplicity of things staying the …show more content…
Buddy Willard was a hypocrite “(Plath 52). Ester knows that buddy Willard is a hypocrite and so she tries to gain her own sexual independence and separate herself from buddy Willard completely. Holden deals with the disillusionment of what he deems acceptable versus reality. When Holden visits Mr. Antolini he relives that his idea of children being full of innocence and adults full of phoniness is not all true. “I have a feeling that you’re riding for some terrible kind of fall ………” (Salinger 207). Mr. Antolini is the epitome of Holden view on catcher in the rye. Mr. Antolini is trying to catch Holden before he falls, Holden is running like the children in the rye patch. From school, all social features and adulthood. Both characters foreshadow in the exposition of their stories, corrupt views of their situation. That tell the reader there is a strong possibility of them not having it all together. For instance Ester feels as though she is crazy for not enjoying herself in New York. While Holden tries to run from his prep-school and hide in his home town. These quotes proves how the characters hint on feeling that they may need to be
Holden Caulfield alienates himself from the rest of society to hopefully escape the means of growing up shown by his dialogue and behaviour. Holden doesn’t want to grow up because he doesn’t want to have to accept the responsibilities that come with it. Holden is constantly getting kicked out of different schools, “They kicked me out. on account that. I was not applying myself and all.”
Antolini during chapter 24 and chapter 25 because the scene shows key factors of a depressive episode. As stated on SparkNotes plot overview of The Catcher in the Rye, “ Mr. Antolini asks Holden about his expulsion and tries to counsel him about his future. Holden can’t hide his sleepiness, and Mr. Antolini puts him to bed on the couch. Holden awakens to find Mr. Antolini stroking his forehead. Thinking that Mr. Antolini is making a homosexual overture, Holden hastily excuses himself and leaves, sleeping for a few hours on a bench at Grand Central Station”. This serves as a basic summary of Holden’s interactions with Mr. Antolini. And during Holden’s time in Grand Central Station, he states in the novel that he may have misjudged Mr. Antolini. At this point, on pages 214 and 215 of the novel, Holden becomes indecisive about whether or not to go back to Mr. Antolini’s apartment. “The more I thought about it, though, the more depressed and screwed up about it I got” is how Holden describes these thoughts. Some of the symptoms shown are, as quoted from PsyCom’s article, “indecisiveness”, “feelings of fatigue”, and “anxiety”. Furthermore, Holden’s mood swings seem to be in rapid cycling throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye, further hinting at him being
Catcher in the Rye is one of the most famous books in American literature. Written by J. D. Salinger, it captures the epitome of adolescence through Salinger’s infamous anti-hero, Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield learns about himself and his negative tendencies, and realizes that if he does not do something to change his perspective, he may end up like his acquaintance James Castle whom he met at Elkton Hills. Holden tries to find help to mend his outlook on life through Mr. Antolini so he does not end up like James, who did not want to face the problems he created for himself. This is proven by the similarities between James Castle and Holden, Mr. Antolini’s willingness to try and help Holden, and Holden’s future being forecasted by James.
In the novel The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger,Holden the main character tries to take on adult and mature situations but finds himself in reality not getting very far. Holden Caulfield who goes to Pencey has failed four out of five classes and gets the notice that he is being expelled from the school. He leaves the school and goes out and tries to adventure into the real world. Holden takes on many challenges and obstacles throughout the book . Although Holden wants to be independent many people perceive Holden in numerous different ways to his actions and feelings. Faith and Stradlater both perceive Holden as irritating, when in reality he tries to distract himself from being depressed. For example when Holden was in the phone
Holden has matured in many ways throughout the novel. He had grown from an immature child who only cared about himself to a mature adult who wanted to make something of his life. In the beginning of the story we are introduced to Holden as a forgetful kid who just doesn’t care. He is the manager of the fencing team, yet he forgets to take the supplies off the subway. As the book goes on we find Holden in situations where the reader has realized that he has matured. An example of this is when Holden has a sudden urge to go visit a museum, but when he gets there he decides not to go inside. “Then a funny thing happened. When I got to the Museum, all of a sudden I wouldn’t have gone inside for a million bucks. It just didn’t appeal to me…” (P122) This shows that Holden is maturing and by him not entering the museum his adult side takes over the kid in him.
This reveals Holden’s fantasy of an idealistic childhood and his role as the guardian of innocence. Preventing children from “going over the cliff” and losing their innocence is his way of vicariously protecting himself from growing up as well. Holden acknowledges that this is “crazy,” yet he cannot come up with a different lifestyle because he struggles to see the world for how it truly is, and fears not knowing what might happen next. Holden’s “catcher in the rye” fantasy reflects his innocence, his belief in a pure, uncorrupted youth, and his desire to protect it. This fantasy also represents his disconnection from reality, as he thinks he can stop the process of growing up, yet
When in New York City, Holden reacquaints himself with an old friend: Carl Luce. Carl is attending school at Columbia University and is far more mature, emotionally, physically, and sexually than Holden. Carl even elucidates on Holden’s immaturity during the conversation they share over martinis; “‘same old Caulfield. When are you going to grow up?’” (Salinger 159). Holden refuses to acknowledge, let alone confront, his childish mind-set. However, when Carl, someone he respects, remarks upon his callowness it begins to sink in that remaining young forever is not the most desirable trait to have. Holden’s young and innocent nature is further revealed by his behaviour when he observes performances at Radio City. He recognises a drum player and explains that “[he has] watched that guy since [he] was about eight years old” (153). Holden, whilst attempting to be independent and grow up in New York City by himself, is still fascinated by the same thing he was when he was eight. He is still young and innocent despite his attempts to not be. Whilst attempting to grow up and mature, Holden actually remains young and innocent of the world throughout this
Holden wants to shelter children from the adult world (Chen). In Chapter 16, the catcher in the rye finally appears. This is also a symbol for what Holden would like to be when he grows older. He pictures a group of many kids playing in a field of rye, where it is his job to catch them from falling off the cliff. This shows Holden’s love for childhood and his need to preserve it in any way he can. According to Alsen, “The way Holden explains why he wants to be the catcher in the rye shows the kindness and unselfishness of his character. However, the surreal nature of the metaphor also reveals his unwillingness to face the real life choices he needs to make now that he is approaching adulthood.” By the end of the book, Holden realizes in order for kids to grow, there can’t be protection from all of potential harm. “He therefore gives up his dream of being the catcher in the rye and is ready to make a realistic choice of what he wants to do with his life” (Alsen). Holden’s dream world, that doesn’t involve change, is unrealistic. He is terrified by the unpredictable changes of the adult world, but there is no way for Holden to avoid the experiences and changes that the
In the novel “Catcher in the Rye” the reader is able to better understand Holden by the characters in his remembrances. Mr. Antolini, a person who shows affection for Holden, shows the reader that Holden makes quick assumptions and judgments with characters in the novel. Phoebe, Holden’s younger sister, makes it evident to the reader that Holden does not want to grow up, mature, and have a future as an adult. Jane Gallagher’s character also helps the reader better understand Holden by making it evident that he does not want to let go of his childhood innocence. Although Holden’s character is the main focus of the novel, his remembrances of other key characters help define him and give the reader a better understanding of who he is.
Holden is afraid to leave his precious/innocent childhood behind and enter the corrupted, evil society adults and ha trouble accepting adults and society. Mr. Antolini basically is saying He’s falling down the rye, and still hasn’t hit rock bottom because he can’t fully understand adults and society. Everything doesn’t make sense to him, from adults being complete phonies to sex. He can’t understand adults which is why his transition from childhood and adulthood is very difficult and complex for him. His own actions and decisions often contradict itself due to, to opposing “worlds” of Holden. Childhood and
Holden is like most teenagers: he’s trying to find his place in society without having any sort of direction. One of the main reasons this is hard for Holden is because he doesn’t have any role models and is misguided. His brother D.B. lives all the way in Hollywood “being a prostitute” (Salinger 2) and he resents his parents. Everyone around him seems to be “phonies “and Holden is continuously trying to be different but notices that the lifestyle he wants just doesn’t fit in the world he lives in . He constantly rejects certain ways of living but can’t seem to find the purpose for his own and because of this he criticizes the life of the...
In J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, the main character Holden Caufield believes that innocence is corrupted by society. He exposes his self-inflicted emotional struggles as he is reminiscing the past. For Holden, teenage adolescence is a complicated time for him, his teenage mentality in allows him to transition from the teenage era to the reality of an adult in the real world. As he is struggling to find his own meaning of life, he cares less about others and worries about how he can be a hero not only to himself but also to the innocent youth. As Holden is grasping the idea of growing up, he sets his priorities of where he belongs and how to establish it. As he talks about how ‘phony’ the outside world is, he has specific recollections that signify importance to his life and he uses these time and time again because these memories are ones that he wont ever let go of. The death of his younger brother Allie has had a major impact on him emotionally and mentally. The freedom of the ducks in Central Park symbolize his ‘get away’ from reality into his own world. His ideology of letting kids grow up and breaking the chain loose to discover for themselves portrays the carrousel and the gold ring. These are three major moments that will be explored to understand the life of Holden Caufield and his significant personal encounters as he transitions from adolescence into manhood.
Throughout the book Holden admits he doesn't like change. Holden fear of growing up , becoming an adult and thinking of of it disgust him. For example the museum, Holden like it because the exterior of it did not change and says the only thing that would change would be you.In the text Luce says “Same old Caulfield.When are you going to grow up already?”(144). Holden wants things to stay how they are and how his life is. Holden considers adults phonies and he doesn’t want to be consider phony as well. When he describes the museum he says the best part about it is that it never changes, only you do.Holden bonds with his sister taking her to the zoo, museum and the carousel.He wants to Phoebe to experience what he did and to get the memories alive. “What I have to do, I would have to catch everyone if they start to go over the cliff- what I have to do, I mean if they are running and they don't look where they are going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That is all I have to do. I would just be the catcher in the rye”(173). This quote show how by holden is catching them from falling down the cliff which symbolizes stopping them from adulthood. “Thousand of little kids and nobody’s around- nobody big , I mean except me”(173). This quotes implies how young innocent kids won't be exerted by adults
Holden plays the role of the catcher in the rye by physically catching the children before they fall off the cliff proving that we all end up falling. Phoebe asks Holden what he wants to be, Holden responds, “if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them…I’d just be the catcher in rye and all” (Salinger 173). The cliff is symbolic of loss of innocence. Holden’s role of the catcher in the rye allows him to physically catch children before they fall off the cliff, therefore saving their innocence before they fall into adulthood. When the children fall off the cliff, it is much like the fall into adulthood, we fall in not looking where we are going and not knowing what to expect. Not only has Holden become obsessed with trying to preserve the innocence of children, but he also ends up having a nervous breakdown. Holden says to Phoebe, “I know it’s crazy…I know it’s crazy” (Salinger 173). Salinger’s use of repetition emphasizes the word crazy, therefore; foreshadowing that Holden will have a nervous breakdown and go crazy. Not only has Salinger’s use of repetition foreshadowed that Holden will go crazy, but so has Mr. Antolini....
In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s vision of nature of childhood and adulthood are not as separate as Holden believes them to be. Holden tries to battle through the pressures of adulthood while staying in his childish frame of mind. He feels that if he acts childish, he can go back to that. He also feels the need to be an adult and do his own thing. Holden is at war with himself trying to see what he really is- a child or an adult. Although, Holden thinks he is being an adult by drinking and smoking, he is actually becoming more childish.