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Catcher In The Rye Loss Of Innocence Essay

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Catcher In The Rye Loss Of Innocence Essay
Striving to protect the innocence of others commonly reflects in the ambitions of society. I relate to the struggle of preserving the desired chastity of adolescence. Around the holidays, children dream of Santa and his majestic sleigh pulling up to their home on Christmas Eve. Boys and girls anticipate the magic of Christmas day and question its phenomenon. Sadly, once a child discovers the reality of Christmas, all dreams of the mythical man on the big sleigh melt away. As an older sister, I dread watching my brother approach this realization as he matures. I want to cherish his youthful christmas spirit forever. Others express desires for sustained purity in friends and family as well. In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger illustrates our human need to protect the innocence of others.
Salinger uses symbolism to demonstrate society’s longing for individuals to remain pure. For example, the glass cases holding artifacts displayed in the Museum of Natural History represent continuity. Holden describes the value of the glass cases as they consistently hold the same items that never change. He mentions how he wishes he could place his sister in a glass box, so she will never change and remain pure and …show more content…
J.D. Salinger uses glass cases and profanity to portray the importance of Holden's need to protect the youth of Phoebe and other children. Holden's need to preserve chastity also appears in characters that Holden interacts with such as Jane and Phoebe. Like Holden, I feel the need to protect my own brother from reality. I want him to remain youthful in believing in the magic of Christmas forever. I also fear the devastation he might feel when told the truth. Many of us use such innocence to shield ourselves and others from the corruptions of society. However, progression shapes people into who they are and gives reality a
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