Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye - 1429 Words

Justin Hwang Ms. Lydia Wells English 9 10/24/17 Loneliness and Phoniness: Loss of Innocence in Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye Loss of innocence is one of the major elements of The Catcher in the Rye that make the novel so renowned. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is about an adolescent named Holden who wanders around New York City after being kicked out of a prestigious boarding school in eastern Pennsylvania. While learning more about himself and the adult world, he experiences alcohol, prostitution, and sexuality. Holden struggles with issues such as identity and maturity. Eventually, he realizes what it means to become an adult and accepts that maturity and development is inevitable. Holden suffers from a loss of innocence when†¦show more content†¦However, he admits that while the couple’s actions are â€Å"crumby† (Salinger 81) and crude, he is still aroused and â€Å"wouldn’t mind† (Salinger 81) doing it, especially to a girl he is attracted to. While Holden wants to preserv e his innocence by not thinking about sex at all, he agrees that he is a â€Å"sex maniac† (Salinger 81), and is a fiend about losing his virginity. Holden even goes as far as to make rules for himself. On page 82, he recounts, â€Å"I made a rule that I was going to quit horsing around with girls that, deep down, gave me a pain in the ass. I broke it, though, the same week I made it-the same night, as a matter of fact† (Salinger). He is slowly losing his innocence, and while he hates to admit it, Holden’s constant thoughts about sexuality is a sign of adulthood. To him, one should only have sex with someone they truly love. Holden is almost proud of himself for having such a morally correct view of sex. This is why he is so riled when he discovers that Stradlater had sex with Jane Gallagher. Holden realized that Jane barely knew Stradlater and felt that he, if anyone, should be dating Jane. His increasing thoughts on sexuality and loss of a conventional or shie lded view of sex show that his loss of innocence is apparent. Holden also loses his innocence when he accepts the inevitability of growing up. When he visits the Natural History Museum, Holden notes that the exhibitsShow MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies, By William Golding And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower1087 Words   |  5 Pagessome of my most beloved. In my junior year, I read A Separate Peace by John Knowles for my AP U.S. History class while I read 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 similarRead More The Catcher and the Rye / Huckleberry Finn Essay1251 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican Webster’s dictionary defines innocence as, â€Å"Freedom from harmfulness; inoffensiveness.† Although this definition is the one which is most commonly used, many authors tend to twist or stretch the meaning in order to fit the material to which it applies. For example, the way J.D Salinger applies innocence to his work is quite different from the way Mark Twain uses innocence. Innocence also changes accordingly with the time period. The definition of innocence is dynamic with respect to author andRead MoreTheme Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye1046 Words   |  5 Pagesjust be a catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but it’s the only thing I’d really like to be.†( Salinger 191)) In The Catcher in the Rye, a harrowed teenager named Holden Caulfield can’t accept the fact that everyone has to grow up. He believes that every adult in some way is corrupted in a sense. He also believes that children are the only genuine thing in the world due to their innocence and their purity. Salinger emplo ys adult situations in Holden’s journey to emphasize that loss of innocenceRead MoreThe Tragedy of Holden Caulfield Is That He Cannot Accept the Adult World He Is Too Old to Continue the Innocent Life of a Child1033 Words   |  5 PagesThe main concern of the novel The Catcher in the Rye is not only that the protagonist is trapped between childhood and adulthood, but also the alienation and regression caused by grief when the sufferer does not address their loss properly. Holden Caulfields nervous breakdown is largely due to the death of his younger brother. It is because of this that he fears change and maturity so much, specifically the loss of innocence. Holden cannot accept the complexities of the world; instead, he uses phoninessRead MoreTheme Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye1185 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Catcher in the Rye, a harrowed teenager named Holden Caulfield can’t accept the fact that everyone has to grow up. He gets kicked out of his old school an d sets of on a wandering adventure throughout a bunch of cities including New York and Agerstown, Pennsylvania. As we get to know Holden, we find out that he believes that every adult in some way is corrupted in a sense. He also believes that children are the only genuine thing in the world due to their innocence and their purity. SalingerRead MoreCatcher In The Rye Title Essay1421 Words   |  6 PagesThe title of the novel, â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye†, plays a significant role throughout the book as it has a substantial connection to Holden’s story. This title greatly allows for the main character, Holden Caulfield, to express his feelings towards life and towards human nature. Holden can see that the world he now lives in as it is becoming filled with corrupted people and minds. He believes the children are ruined by the ribald behavior of the older generations around them and as he shows the readerRead MoreTheme Of Symbolism In Catcher In The Rye1080 Words    |  5 Pages10 Hour 2 6 December 2017 The Catcher in the Rye: Prompt 3 In the novel, Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger uses a variety of symbols to support the thematic idea that maturation and the loss of innocence are an inescapable rite of passage for all of humanity. Three significant symbols that signify the importance of alteration and losing one’s purity to become more suited to live in the real world are the ducks in the lagoon of Central Park, the â€Å"Catcher in the Rye†, and the carousel and the goldRead MoreCatcher in the Rye vs Frankenstein Novel Study Essay1304 Words   |  6 PagesIndependent Novel Study In today’s world, innocence cannot be preserved forever. As humans age, they lose their innocence due to the corruption that exists in society. This is demonstrated in the two novels, Catcher in the Rye and Frankenstein. The two authors, J.D. Salinger and Mary Shelley prove this statement through their use of various literary devices. Key characters in both novels- Holden and the creature- learn through personal experiences that innocence cannot, in fact, be preserved foreverRead MoreCatcher Rye And Perfect Day For Bananafish1562 Words   |  7 Pages The Catcher in The Rye and Perfect Day For Bananafish In â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye†,by J.D Salinger, Holden Caulfield, a troubled 16 year old boy who constantly gets kicked out of every school takes it upon himself to become â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye†, in reality not being real occupation but an idea he chose to adopt for himself after he heard a little boy singing in the street. The catcher in the Rye can be described in Holden’s perspective as a person, almost like a hero that helps childrenRead MoreThe Innocence of Childhood in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe novel â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† by J.D. Salinger follows the endeavours of Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old teenage boy who faces a point in his life where he must make the transition from childhood to adulthood. In an attempt to retain his own childhood, he begins hoping to stop other young children from growing up and losing their innocence as well. As indicated by the title, â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† is a book that explores a theme involving the preservation of innocence, especially of children