The fact that Holden feels isolated and unfortunate contradicts his charmed upbringing, being the son of a very wealthy lawyer. Analysis: Holden comments on the “game of life,” considering it only a game for the privileged. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right-I’ll admit that. What he fails to understand is that part of growing up is losing that innocence, that he’s the one headed for the fall, and that there’s nobody there to catch him. Analysis: Holden strives with all his might to preserve childhood innocence. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be” (173). I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. Quote: “What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff…That’s all I’d do all day. He feels he has no control over how he feels, that things just happen. On another level, it shows Holden’s helplessness in controlling what’s around him. He feels upset that everybody can go in when it rains, but not Allie. Analysis: Holden says this in reference to Allie. Quote: “It’s not too bad when the sun’s out, but it only comes out when it feels like coming out” (156). His feeling sorry for ugly girls also highlights the inner struggle he has with sexual attraction. The problem, however, is that Holden assumes everybody is suffering. Analysis: Holden shows another component of his personality: the ability to empathize with others’ suffering. I feel so sorry for them sometimes” (85). He wants to die because everybody is a “phony” yet wants to live because he doesn’t want the “phonies” to judge him. He claims he wants to be isolated, yet is overly concerned with what everybody else thinks about him. His reason for not doing it gives the reader a glimpse into his contradictory nature. Analysis: Shortly after Holden is assaulted by Maurice, the elevator pimp, he takes a bath, goes to bed, and confesses he would have rather killed himself than go to sleep. I didn’t want a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory” (104). I probably would’ve done it, too, if I’d been sure somebody’d cover me up as soon as I landed. Quote: “What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide.
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