Catcher in the Rye Essay Child to Adult - 1126 Words

Child to Adult in The Catcher in the Rye The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a story about growing up. It explores the obstacles we all face during our transition from child to adulthood. The tragedies and triumphs, the breakthroughs and setbacks, the happiness and heartache. As you follow the books protagonist, Holden, through his journey into adulthood, you learn about his life, but more importantly, you learn about your own. You grow to sympathize with the young rebel, and you begin to see traces of yourself in him. This book appeals to the child in all of us because we can all remember a time wed like to go back to; a time when making our beds was our greatest responsibility and life was something we took for†¦show more content†¦As we grow and mature, we take on more responsibilities, and learn new lessons everyday. We learn through good experiences and through bad ones. Although there are many wed like to remember, there are also some wed like to forget. Life has many lessons in store for us. Often times, one of the most terrifying and traumatic lessons a child can learn really has nothing to do with life--but rather, death. Unfortunately, it is a lesson that we all must encounter at some point. No matter the age or circumstance, it is hard to understand how something so dark and mystical can impact our lives so much. It is even harder to cope with the loss of a loved one and to come to terms with knowledge that each day we live, we become one closer to dying. Death is a concept to which Holden is no stranger. He speaks lovingly of his brother, Allie, who died of leukemia. He was terrifically intelligent....But it wasnt just that he was the most intelligent member in the family. He was also the nicest, in lots of ways. He never got mad at anybody....He used to laugh so hard at something he thought of at the dinner table that he just about fell off his chair (38). As many fond memories as Holden has of his brother, the rain can literally bring back one painful one. I slept in the garage the night he died, and I broke all the goddam windows with my fist, just for the hell of it. I even tried toShow MoreRelatedHolden Caulfield s The Catcher Of The Rye824 Words   |  4 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye Symbolism Essay J.D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, is the story of Holden Caulfield’s loss of faith in society, and in particular adults. Salinger uses a number of symbols to demonstrate Holden’s rebellion against the phony facade of society and his desire to preserve the innocence of children, especially those he loves. Chief among them is Holden’s misinterpretation of Robert Burns’ poem â€Å"Comin thro’ the Rye†, wherein Holden mistakes the original line, â€Å"If a body meet aRead MoreThe Catcher in the Rye: Holden and Modern Teenagers898 Words   |  4 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye: Holden and Modern Teenagers The characteristics of Holden from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, will be compared to the modern teenager.   The characteristics of both sets of teenagers are basically similar, but in some parts, they are different. I chose myself as the modern teenager to be compared to Holden. There will be four major subjects to be talked about in the essay. The main subjects that are going to be discussed in this essay are academics, familyRead MoreCatcher in the Rye1445 Words   |  6 PagesENG 3U1 – The Catcher in the Rye Essay Outline Assignment Task: Pick one of the essay prompts below. Your answer to the prompt will be the thesis of your essay. Thoughtfully and carefully craft an essay outline to develop and defend your thesis. Be concise and to the point, this is only an outline! You may consult your agenda, previous notes and our class for essay writing tips. Be sure to use text-based evidence to support your thesis. Essay Prompts Throughout the novel, Holden is a tormented adolescentRead MoreJ.D. Salingers Catcher In The Rye and Burr Steers Igby Goes Down1493 Words   |  6 Pages Comparative Essay The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The respective protagonists of these two texts are Igby Slocumb and Holden Caulfield. These two characters are both on a journey motif, a journey of self discovery in which they both attempt to find meaning in life and understand societies values and attitudes. The two protagonists demonstrate non-conformity and rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present inRead MoreSummary Of The Catcher Of The Rye Essay1038 Words   |  5 PagesEmily Tillotson Mr. Turner English 12-CP Theme Essay December 3, 2014 The Catcher in the Rye Theme Essay â€Å"If a body meet a body, coming through the rye.† This is a quote by Robert Burns and it talks about how being an adult and having casual sex is okay. The Catcher in the Rye by J.d Salinger is a novel about the life of a troubled boy by the name of Holden Caulfield. There is one trait that brings every person together and that is growing up. [JT1] Some peopleRead MoreComparative Essay - Catcher in the Rye vs. Igby Goes Down1552 Words   |  7 PagesComparative Essay The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The respective protagonists of these two texts are Igby Slocumb and Holden Caulfield. These two characters are both on a journey motif, a journey of self discovery in which they both attempt to find meaning in life and understand societies values and attitudes. The two protagonists demonstrate non-conformity and rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present inRead More Catcher in the Rye Essay: Holden’s Metamorphosis1954 Words   |  8 PagesHoldens Metamorphosis in The Catcher in the Rye      Ã‚  Ã‚   J. D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye is the chronicle of a young mans 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 isRead More Comparing Maturation in Catcher in the Rye and Red Badge of Courage1421 Words   |  6 PagesMaturation in Catcher in the Rye and Red Badge of Courage    The Catcher in the Rye and The Red Badge of Courage detail the gradual maturation of two immature boys into self-reliant young men. The steady speed at which Salingerà ­s and Craneà ­s language streams enables the reader to see the independent events that lead up to the ultimate rite of passage for both Henry and Holden. Although the pinnacle of maturity Holden reached concerned his pessimistic view of the world and Henryà ­s was a unifyingRead MoreDaisy Caulfield : Minor Character1424 Words   |  6 PagesA minor character in The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger, is Phoebe Caulfield, the main character, Holden’s younger sister. Holden describes his sister as not only the smartest kid in the world, but also a great dancer, and a very sympathetic listener. She’s also known as the funniest little sister ever. She is first introduced to readers when Holden says: â€Å"You d like her. I mean if you tell old Phoebe something, she knows exactly what the hell you re talking about. I mean you canRead MoreComparing The Adventures of Huck Finn and The Catcher in the Rye1382 Words   |  6 PagesComparing The Adventures of Huck Finn and The Catcher in the Rye The forthcoming of American literature proposes two distinct Realistic novels portraying characters which are tested with a plethora of adventures. In this essay, two great American novels are compared: The Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain and The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger. The Adventures of Huck Finn is a novel based on the adventures of a boy named Huck Finn, who along with a slave, Jim, make their way along