Theme Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye

“Don’t tell people what you are thinking, or you will miss them terribly when you are away” (Salinger 214) says Holden Caulfeild as he warns the world. Salingers novel pinpoints the many fears and phobias of growing up from an immature, pessimistic, “everybody’s a goddam phony” perspective that makes it relate-able to young transitioning teenagers. Salinger's Caulfeild is afraid of growing up and the unknown prospects of entering the adult world after experiencing a life changing event. Holden, clinging to his innocence, most importantly learns how the Phony adult world not only treats people like HC poorly, but it kills them. Salingers Novel is told in first person perspective by a seventeen year old Holden Coufeild who longs for the attention and care of those around him subconsciously.

If Holden could adapt to society, he would’ve showed intentions to do so. He is forever unhappy with the world, and isolates himself because of it, thus viewing the world in a negative light. The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger is a story about his adventures as being a teenager just shy of becoming an adult. The change of becoming an adult mortifies Holden, so he does everything possible to hold on to his child innocence.

Holden feels guilty about the death of his younger brother because he died so young. This feeling of guilt and the depression may help explain how overly sensitive Holden can be at times. Holden views himself as the "catcher in the rye", saving children and their innocence from going into the adult world that is crowded with "phonies." When he sees all the graffiti that says "fuck you", he becomes very distraught as the graffiti shows that the innocent world of children is already being affected by the vulgarness of the adult world. Holden exploits the "phony" world of adults often, such as when he li... ... middle of paper ... ...le to find a real friend who is able to talk to him.

His distorted perceptions of the American Dream ultimately ruined his life and the lives of his family. Sadly, Willy definitely failed as a father. He obviously favored his eldest son Biff over his youngest son Happy, and this constant neglect drove Happy to become more like his older brother as an adult in order to win his father’s approval. We can see this through his philandering behavior, something Biff was known for in high school, the golden years. Biff, on the other hand, had it worse because his father sold him lies about his importance in the business industry, which forced Biff to admire Willy and strive to be like him one day.

Holden's Metamorphosis in The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is the chronicle of a young man's metamorphosis from immaturity to unsure manhood. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is a sixteen-year old boy who leaves the prep school he has been expelled from to escape the frightening reality of dealing with his parents. However, during his visit to New York City he is faced with the harsh reality that he cannot continue to hold onto his childhood. Holden is an extremely complex character and it is only by examining each layer of him that the reader is able to understand his painful metamorphosis. There have been many debates over the morality of Holden.

Holden wants to protect children from having to face the harsh realities of life, therefore, he wants to be a catcher in a rye. He feels so protective of others based on his own distorted outlook on the world. He hates the falseness of other people, similar to his school, but all Holden sees around him is liars and thieves. He sees Pencey Prep as a microcosm of New York City, which is filled with degenerates. Holden 's parents, also show his disregard for adulthood with their high social class position.

Pip’s first visit to the Satis House corrupts his character by causing him to be disgusted by t... ... middle of paper ... ...just like Joe was from the beginning of the novel. Through a series of humiliations, Pip grows up and overcomes the corruption set upon him by his childhood visits to the Satis house. He learns to appreciate those around him more than wealth or social status. At the beginning of the novel, he did not wish to be seen talking with Joe and Biddy, but by the end of the novel, Pip was able to hold hands with a man sentenced to death. He comes to terms that even though he may not be elevated to be a “gentleman”, he has Herbert, Joe and Biddy.

After getting kicked out he journeys out to New york city where he faces some of the toughest times in his life surrounded by “phony” adults that Holden would never want to become. Phoniness is a word commonly used by Holden to describe the flaws he encounters in others and he uses this as an excuse for all the negative things that has happened in his life. Holden also starts to see a trend as he gets older in his eyes he sees more problems and could only feel certain thoughts in his mind: “certain things should stay the way they are”(p.g 122) At this time Holden was thinking about his future and wishes that it would not be so hectic. But instead he strives for a life that is easy to mange. Holden also says this because he would like to believe the world is a simple place where he can lead a simple life, and does not like the way adults act and procrastinate, and finds this phoney just because he does not want to lead this kind of life but does not realize that when your an adult, you must work for everything you earn and with hard work comes a great reward.

His fears master him, creating in him a fantasy world of life as it was eighteen years ago. Willy’s avoidance of reality and his suicide show his cowardice. However, the emphasis he puts on financial success prevents him from realizing the consequences that his suicide would create. Willy’s refusal to face reality and accept responsibility shows that he is a coward. According to Gordon Hitchens, Willy "broke the first commandment of American business .

In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, the conflicts that formulate between Biff and Willy Loman build up to the death of Willy. Biff’s delusional perception of being liked in the world leads to a successful life which was an idea brought onto him by his father, Biff’s discovery of his father's affair, and Biff’s lack of business success all accumulate to the heavy conflicting relationship between Biff and his father, Willy. These contribute immensely to the idea that personal dreams and desire to reach success in life can negatively impact life with personal relationships, which causes people to lose sight of what is important. This ultimately leads to the Willy committing suicide from the build up of problems with his son. During the