Preserving Innocence in J.D. Salinger´s The Catcher in the...

Growing up is a complicated and emotional phase that everyone has to experience. Our innocence is like a mask that blinds us from perceiving life as it really is. As we grow up, we lose our sense of innocence and begin to see the world differently. In the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a teenage boy who fears maturity for himself and the children around him. The theme of innocence is found throughout the novel, as Holden struggles to protect the innocence of children from the superficiality and shallowness of the adult world. The theme of innocence is illustrated when Holden visits the Museum of Natural History. Holden’s thoughts at the museum show that he is overwhelmed by the change and complexity of growing up. Holden enjoys being at the museum because it is a consistent and predictable place, and he knows what to expect every time he visits it. â€Å"The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move† (121). Holden wishes that life could be just like the museum, where all the figures and displays stayed exactly the same. If life never changes, people would never have to grow up, and children would be able to remain innocent forever. â€Å"Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone† (122). In this quote, Holden is specifically referring to children. According to him, all adults are phony andShow MoreRelatedCatcher In The Rye Analysis1434 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican literature is full of classic novels containing heroic protagonists; Holden Caulfield of The Catcher in the Rye is not one of these classic heroes. The article Some Crazy Cliff by Arthur Heiserman and James E. Miller Jr. provides one interpretation of the novel suggesting that the protagonist is unique compared to others commonly found in American literature; most heroes are seeking acceptance while Holden is seeking something within the society he is trying to leave. The novel follows HoldenRead MoreJ.b. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1319 Words   |  6 PagesJ.D. Salinger’s Use of Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger is well known for his works. His most famous being The Catcher in the Rye. Two other of his famous works include Nine stories and Franny and Zooey. J.D Salinger is also well known for his sense of humor that he includes inside of his books. The Catcher in the Rye has become an essential work to be studied in academic literature and its course of study. This book entails many uses of symbolism throughout theRead MoreLord Of The Flies, By William Golding And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower1087 Words   |  5 Pagesread The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger over the summer. A Separate Peace explores the rivalry that can lie at the heart of many friendships and conveys the concept of individuality rather than conformity. Similarly, The Catcher in the Rye is the story of a teenage boy who despises the phoniness of society and fears becoming just another phony adult. Both novels share similar characteristics including their utilization of literary devices as well as protagonists who battle with preserving theirRead More Innocence In The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger Essay examples1412 Words   |  6 Pages In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye, Holden Caulfield, a seventeen-year-old boy, transitions from childhood to adulthood. The death of Holden’s little brother signifies the beginning his loss of innocence and growth of maturity. As he enters adulthood, Holden views society differently from his peers by characterizing most of his peers and adults he meets as â€Å"phonies.† Thus, Holden takes the impossible challenge of preserving the innocence in children because he wants to prevent childrenRead MoreCatcher in the Rye4413 Words   |  18 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye â€Å"Is The Catcher in the Rye, as a work of literature still relevant for today’s youth?† Name: Sara Sigurdson Course: English A1 Supervisor: Mr. Peter Steadman Word count: 3851 Candidate number: 00136022 Table of Contents Content Page Number Abstract 3 Introduction 4 The Actual Catcher in the Rye 4 The Sexual Matter 5 The Caulfield Family 6 Narrator and Protagonist 8 Role Model 9 Mr. Antolini 10 Targeted Audience 10 Guidance 12 Read MoreHolden Caulfield s The Catcher Of The Rye1928 Words   |  8 PagesIn The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield’s story is seemingly aimless and without any sense of direction. However, Salinger brings the novel into focus in the final chapters by introducing the idea of being the â€Å"Catcher in the Rye† from the poem by Robert Burns. Salinger chose the name â€Å"Catcher in the Rye† for the title of his novel, but why? The answer is that Salinger wanted to emphasize the connection between Holden, the main character, and the cryptic â€Å"Catcher.† Holden confessesRead MoreInnocence Is The Quality Of Being Free From Guilt, Sin Or Moral Wrong1293 Words   |  6 PagesInnocence is the quality of being free from guilt, sin or moral wrong. A synonym for the word child is innocent . This broad concept of childhood innocence is thoroughly explored through its significance throughout The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Sali nger. It exposes the theme of the coming of age, as well as the circumstances that accompany it, all revolving around the loss of innocence. The protagonist, Holden Claufield, is an open-minded yet phony individual whom experiences this loss himself