What lessons does Holden learn in Catcher in the Rye?
Here are five things The Catcher in the Rye can teach you about life, even if your prom-going days are far behind you.
- You’re not alone in your frustrations. Holden spends the bulk of the book complaining.
- Social niceties aren’t always phony.
- Excellent writing can transport you.
- Beauty is rare, and worth holding onto.
Why is Catcher in the Rye so important?
The Catcher in the Rye is the Citizen Kane of coming of age novels, which means it pulls off a much more difficult trick than actually being the best coming of age novel ever written; it’s widely accepted as the greatest coming of age novel ever written.
What did The Catcher in the Rye influence?
The Catcher in the Rye deeply influenced the 2017 biographical drama film Rebel in the Rye, which is about Salinger. It is a visual about his life, before and after World War II, and gives more about the author’s life than the readers of The Catcher in the Rye learned from the novel.
Why is Catcher in the Rye on the banned book list?
Some books may be banned for the whole novel in general, and some books are banned for just one word or even their book cover (“If You Think We’re Free”). The Catcher in the Rye has been challenged several times for its “excessive vulgar language, sexual scenes, and things concerning moral issues” (Sova).
Is Holden Caulfield in a mental hospital?
Holden (despite the confusion of the Harcourt Brace executive) is not crazy; he tells his story from a sanatorium (where he has gone because of a fear that he has t.b.), not a mental hospital.
What does the ending of Catcher in the Rye mean?
Holden indicates as much when in Chapter 26 he claims, “I sort of miss everybody I told about.” If it is true that Holden has grown less bitter by the end of the book and that he’s learned the value of other people, then he may grow past his current depressive slump and go on to have a more successful career at his new …
Is Holden Caulfield crazy?
What is Holden Caulfield afraid of?
Holden doesn’t want any adults around because he himself is afraid of growing up. He fears the responsibilities that growing up brings such as becoming sexually active, and handles such things with trepidation throughout the novel. He just is not ready to grow up.
What type of person is Holden Caulfield?
Holden Caulfield Although he is intelligent and sensitive, Holden narrates in a cynical and jaded voice. He finds the hypocrisy and ugliness of the world around him almost unbearable, and through his cynicism he tries to protect himself from the pain and disappointment of the adult world.
What causes the fight between Holden and Stradlater?
Holden and Stradlater fight because Stradlater has had a date with Jane Gallagher. Holden annoys Stradlater by writing the composition about a baseball glove rather than about a room or house, as Stradlater had asked him. Holden then tears up the composition in anger, and they get into a fight.
Why is Holden a hypocrite?
Holden Caulfield is a hypocrite because he is constantly putting people into boxes, claiming that they are phony; this has caused him to become extremely isolated from others, so he thirsts for intimacy from strangers.
Why does Holden call everyone a phony?
Holden characterizes “phonies” as people who are dishonest or fake about who they really are, or people who play a part just to fit into a society that Holden questions. Therefore, Holden hates “phonies” because they represent everything he fears or fights against, such as adulthood, conformity, and commercialism.
Why is Sally Hayes a phony?
Holden’s insulting words towards Sally tell us a lot more about him than they do about her. She represents everything he’s come to despise. She’s bubbly, popular, and entirely at ease with the society in which she moves so effortlessly. This makes her a “phony” in Holden’s eyes.
Why is Stradlater a phony?
Holden contrasts Stradlater’s personal habits with Ackley’s: whereas Ackley is ugly and has poor dental hygiene, Stradlater is outwardly attractive but does not keep his razor or other toiletries clean. This makes her a “phony” in Holden’s eyes.
What does Sally Hayes represent?
She has a Master of Education degree. The beautiful Sally Hayes represents everything Holden hates in the J.D. Salinger novel, ‘The Catcher in the Rye. ‘ In this lesson, we will learn more about this character.
Why does Holden not like Romeo and Juliet?
It is no surprise that Holden’s favorite character is Mercutio, Romeo’s glib, subversive best friend. Holden resents betrayal, even accidental betrayal, and he dislikes Romeo after the hero inadvertently causes Tybalt to kill Mercutio.