Holden Caulfield Character Analysis - 1368 Words

In J. D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, we are introduced to an intriguing character named Holden Caulfield. In this narrative, Holden summarizes what happens to him in the past, over a period of three days, starting from when he is in Pencey Prep, an expensive boarding school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania. During this time, Holden goes through many internal hardships and dilemmas, mainly focusing on his view of society and people around him, acting â€Å"phony†. This feeling could be explained by one of the existential themes: Authenticity. Authenticity is wanting you or someone else to live a life that is unique to one’s inner self, and as an individual, while not following and behaving like what society and other people believe.†¦show more content†¦It is clear that he is not happy about D.B making so much, especially from a source that Holden despises. â€Å"He just got a Jaguar. One of those little English jobs that can do around two hundre d miles an hour. It cost him damn near four thousand bucks. He’s got a lot of dough, now. He didn’t use to† (3). It is important to notice the word â€Å"use† being italicized. Holden implies he liked D.B much more when he wasn’t rich. Holden had respect for D.B in the past when he made creative short stories, but now he associates him with every other phony that Holden knows. What Holden does not understand however, is that it is common for someone to pursue in wealth, and money while sacrificing their old life. Zeelengerg, Breugelmans, and Van de Ven state, â€Å"Another viewpoint is that greed is inherent to human nature and that all people are greedy to some extent. Some argue that being greedy is vital for human welfare and that it is an important evolutionary motive that promotes self-preservation† (505). The three scholars claim that everyone is greedy as it is a part of human nature, and some debate that greed is important for happine ss and prosperity. Therefore, Holden has unrealistic expectations on his older brother D.B, for not wanting him to go to Hollywood and become a screenwriter. Furthermore, another example of a character that Holden believes is not true to himself is Ernie. When Holden arrives to Ernies nightclub in chapter 12, he says,†He had a big damn mirror inShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis of Holden Caulfield844 Words   |  4 PagesCharacter Analysis In the beginning of The Catcher in the Rye, we see one type of person in Holden Caulfield. By the end of the book, we see a whole new person. How is it that one person can change as much in a short time period? They change by the experiences they go through. Holden went through a lot of experiences in a short period of time especially, and also in his past history. In the beginning of the novel, Holden has just come back from a fencing game in New York. He has also been kickedRead MoreHolden Caulfield Character Analysis Essay1249 Words   |  5 Pages In â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† by J.D. Salinger, the main character Holden Caulfield is a nervous and unhappy dropout. After being kicked out of his prestigious high school, he goes to New York City and roams the streets for three days searching for both innocence and adulthood. While he holds a hatred for â€Å"phonies†, people he sees as fakes or cheats, he himself can be portrayed as a phony. Holden admires certain qualities in a person. He likes people who are honest, intelligent and open. He alsoRead MoreHolden Caulfield Character Analysis721 Words   |  3 PagesHolden Caulfield is alone for the first time, forcing him to not only see the reality of everlasting corruption, but also show him he stands alone in wanting to preserve young innocence. Throughout the book Holden is always putting forth efforts to help everyone, further pushing him astray from societys normalities. While some may say that Holden is always distraught because of his own reckless behavior, I say Holden is trying to counter reckless behavior that is being forced upon the young peopleRead MoreHolden Caulfield Character Analysis1730 Words   |  7 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, undergoes an immense psychological change where he transforms from youth to maturity. The major conflict in the novel which held Holden back from progressing into adulthood had to do with the death of his younger brother, Allie. The way Holden expresses himself and all of the decisions he has made can all be related back to that experience which he has never been able to cope with. As a result, Holden spends the majority of his time alone whichRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Holden Caulfield1110 Words   |  5 PagesIn the book, The Catcher in the Rye, the most character Holden Caulfield has strange behavioral personalities. It turns into a lot of and a lot of obvious that Holden, an extended method of being sensible, has clouded judgment as he rides an associate emotional roller coaster of mood ups and downs. in these strains, its straightforward that his wide selection of non-public flaws like his distrustful and suspicious of individuals, depressive, and unreasonable attitudes and thoughts come back fromRead MoreHolden Caulfield Character Analysis Essay895 Words   |  4 Pagesreally means something to us. In Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger, Holden C aulfield is a 16 year old young man that has gone through some rough times. With a little brother, Allie, that died of cancer at the age of 11, A big brother, D.B., who became big writing childrens books so he left for hollywood soon after Allie’s death. Holden has been dropped out of three schools, and is currently attending Pency. Holden doesnt have much to be happy about in his life, not really much to live forRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Holden Caulfield s The Catcher Of The Rye 1733 Words   |  7 PagesCatcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is faced with multiple â€Å"phonies† that divert him from those he really holds affection for. Throughout the novel Holden shows disgust for certain characters but his ability to build relationships of intimacy are most eminent. Through Allie Caulfield, Holden is able to make a more personal connection. Seeing as how he is now dead, Allie is a savior in the eyes’ of Holden when he is in the time of n eed. Phoebe Caulfield, Holden’s ten year old sister, sharesRead MoreAnalysis Of Characters And Themes Of The Catcher Rye 1537 Words   |  7 Pages Analysis of Characters and Themes in The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger was born in 1919 to a wealthy Manhattan family. He grew up in the same social conditions as Holden Caulfield does in The Catcher in the Rye. The last thing Salinger cared about was being a successful student because he was very lazy, without care for his responsibilities and tasks. Salinger flunked out of many prep schools, and his parents sent him to a military academy named Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where he graduatedRead MoreCatcher in the Rye- Holden as a Dynamic Character Essay example660 Words   |  3 PagesAlexa Noelle Mrs. Mow American Studies 27 March 2012 Analysis of Holden Caulfield Throughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden sees the world as an evil and corrupt place, however it is clear that he gradually comes to the conclusion he cannot change it. The first instance demonstrating Holden’s progression is when he sees the profanity written all over Phoebe’s school. In this moment he finally understands that it is inevitable to enter adulthood and realizes the impossibility to tryRead MoreAnalysis of JD Salingers The Catcher in the Rye1594 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of JD Salingers The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger wanted to write a story, that many believe is at least partially autobiographical, about the angst of being a teen age boy trying to navigate the transition between adolescence and adulthood. The story has been a constant in lists about the best American novels written in the twentieth century, and it has received much criticism also. It is not that people do not believe that Caulfield would have cussed as much as he does or that