The Catcher In The Rye :: essays papers

The Catcher In The RyeIn a novel, the theme is the insight of real life. J.D. Salingers initiation novel, The Catcher In The Rye, describes the adventures of 16-year old Holden Caulfield, the protagonist and first person narrator, who refuses to grow up and inscribe manhood. The most important theme developed by Salinger is Holdens puzzle of dealing with change he has trouble dealing with death, he refuses to acknowledge childrens loss of ingenuousness as a necessary standard in the growing-up process, and has difficulties with growing up. Holden has a near obsession with the death of his junior brother Allie, who died at age thirteen due to leukemia. Holden had punched and broke any the windows in the garage proscribed of anger he says that his hands salvage hurt from the incident. Throughout the novel, Holden dwells on Allies death. From Holdens thoughts, it is obvious that he loves and misses Allie. In order to hold on to his brother and to minimize the pain of his loss, Holden brings Allies baseball mitt along with him where ever he goes. The mitt has additional sum and signifi contributece for Holden because Allie had written poetry, which Holden reads, from the baseball mitt. Towards the end of the book, Holden proves again that he cant cope with death. Phoebe, his younger sister, is putting him on the spot by asking him what he likes, but Holden can only think of dickens nuns and a boy, James W. Castle. James W. Castle was a boy who Holden had alter his sweater to, Castle died unfortunately by being thrown out of a window wearing Holdens sweater. Another thing that haunts Holden is the item that during roll call in class, his last name always is called after(prenominal) Castles last name. After the brief moment of reminiscing, Holden irritates Phoebe by saying, I like Allie. He has trouble acknowledging the death of his brother. Holden cannot accept the loss of innocence as a step into the growing up process. The ones that he loves most, atomic number 18 those who are younger to him, they are innocent, and untouched by societys truths. Holden says, I keep picturing all these little kids playing nearly game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobodys around-nobody big. I mean except me.