Character Analysis Catcher In The Rye

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Jawad Ahmed (200) Rubric Assessment
Mrs.Lawler, p.7
English 10
March 14th, 2016
The Alienated Individual There are eight billion people living currently in the world. Most of them follow the societal “norms”, however some of them do not. Holden Caulfield, the main character in the fiction novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, is one of those people who does not follow society’s “norms”. He likes to stand out because it defines who he is as a person. The people in his life that he likes, his childish actions, and lies all define who he is as a character. This is also shown in his views of corrupt adults, “Phonies”, and the maturity of children. Holden is unique as an individual in his longing for innocence and views of a …show more content…

This is contrasted with the way his adolescent peers think, representing Holden 's uniqueness as an individual. Also, many people look up to their older sibling as a role model, whereas Holden looks up to his younger brother. Holden despises his older brother, D.B., calling him a “prostitute”(Salinger 4) because of his transition into the hollywood scene from someone who wrote for fun. “Every time I [Holden] came to the end of a block and stepped off the goddam curb, I had this feeling that I 'd never get to the other side of the street… Every time I 'd get to the end of a block I 'd make believe I was talking to my brother Allie. I 'd say to him, "Allie, don 't let me disappear… And then when I 'd reach the other side of the street without disappearing, I 'd thank him. Holden perceives Allie as his protector or guardian. Since he died at the young age of 11 where his youth was intact, he is eternally innocent. Allie is Holden’s catcher in the rye, saving him from becoming like his older brother. The theme of unique individuality emerges because Holden looks up to his younger brother compared to the normal standards of looking up to an older sibling. In addition to Jane and Allie, his unconditional love

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