Examples Of Alcoholism In Catcher In The Rye

Ageing in a society plagued with animosity is foreboding to say the least, but some individuals dive into new waters and never look back. Salinger created a world for one of his characters that attacked life in every way. Specifically, Holden Caulfield from Catcher In The Rye wills himself to enter a new, fascinating environment. The polar opposite of innocent, Holden stands defiant in his position against his peers. Apparent in many events, Holden defies childish innocence through his abrasive attitude and uncommon ideas. A major theme in the literature spectrum, alcoholism seems to have Holden in its clutches. Although Holden does not try to fight it at all, in fact, Holden embraces it and loves to have a drink, despite being underaged. Many times throughout the novel Holden explains that he likes to go to clubs and drink and dance. One case in particular, Holden visits a club orders a scotch and soda, he goes on to say “- my favorite
Just as in many other novels, love, or a form of it, shows itself in the numerous relationships that Holden has with various women in the novel. Holden ‘talks’ or flirts with many girls in the novel. He speaks of Jane a lot, and goes on a date with Sally, and even dances with some girls at a nightclub. In an extreme case, Holden calls a prostitute. Although it does not go as planned when he calls her. Instead, she comes over and he thinks,”Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling. I felt much more depressed than sexy”(106). Holden tried to obtain a prostitute in order to have sex and lose even more of his innocence. In a dramatic change of emotion, Holden feels very sad while looking at this prostitute. She is about the same age as him and it makes him feel very depressed because he is looking at someone who has completely lost their innocence and he does not like what he sees. As a result, he becomes very conflicted about what he wants to