Essay – Holden Caulfield is the archetypal 20th Century anti-hero. Discuss. Holden Caulfield is a typical anti-hero from the 20th century who features as the main character from the novel‚ Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger. The young teenage boy says that he wants to be the one who stands at the bottom of the cliff and catch the children that are playing in the Rye that may run off the edge accidently. This is a dream‚ not reality however it indicates that Holden is desperate to preserve childhood
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Holden Caulfield‚ the novel’s protagonist‚ is a pivotal character in The Catcher in the Rye. Holden is characterized as an innocent‚ apathetic‚ naive teen who is seeking knowledge of life and the meaning of becoming an adult. Holden’s struggle with seeing the genuine nature of people is something that acts as a barrier for him throughout the novel. Holden is troubled and burdened throughout the story‚ which causes him to have a warped view on an array of subjects. Holden passes strict judgement on
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Holden Caulfield J.D. Salinger gives Holden a realistic voice and perspective that the reader can identify with. We are able to understand how Holden has come to view this world of his through his past experiences and reactions to life’s situations. He is a very unique character that doesn’t exactly fit into a common stereo type. Although he is similar to some boys his age‚ Holden’s beliefs and values often contrast with those of his peers. Holden finds it difficult to relate to his schoolmates
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Holden’s desire to be the ’Catcher in the Rye’ comes from his realization‚ near the end of his horrible‚ nearly sleepless weekend of cigarettes‚ alcohol‚ phonies‚ and freaks‚ that he isn’t ready and doesn’t even want to be an adult. He also knows he is different from his sister‚ Phoebe‚ that he is no longer a child. He has seen too much reality to still be a child‚ even though he is only 16 in the story. He doesn’t have a home like a child would. He feels like he is someone in between adulthood and
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From all the books I’ve read‚ Holden Caulfield is the most unique character I have encountered thus far. Since the beginning‚ I was oddly intrigued by his blatant pessimism towards life. Additionally‚ he acquires a negligent outlook on education‚ having been expelled from a myriad of prestigious schools‚ including the most recent one Pencey. He lacks not intelligence‚ but motivation. To say that Holden finds it difficult to get along with other people is an understatement. The truth is he despises
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side of you they could have symptoms of depression. Thesis Statement (your argument) Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger‚ 1951) shows signs that he is suffering from depression. Directional Statement (The points you are going to use to support your argument) He demonstrates several symptoms of depression including lack of sleep‚ lack of interest‚ and feelings of guilt. Holden also considers suicide and is obsessed with death. BODY OF ESSAY Topic Sentence of first
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Holden is introduced as a rebel that refuses to complete his homework assignments and has even got expelled for his poor grades. Holden describes most people as phonies and fakes because he feels they are putting on an act to impress others. Holden is a person that values honesty and sincerity. Holden likes to act spontaneously. For example‚ he decides to go to NYC to spend a few nights in a cheap motel. Holden is very interested in sex even though he is a virgin. He feels strongly that sex should
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Psychoanalysis of Holden Caulifield Through life we all experience events both physically and emotionally destructive causing us to feel down‚ but most of us bounce back. These feelings are a part of life. Holden Caulifield comes off as a controlled‚ passive‚ typical teenager. As the story progress we learn he is far from it. Holden’s actions‚ thought process‚ his outlook on life and the way he grieves all suggest that he is suffering post traumatic stressed syndrome better known as PTSD. PTSD
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The Catcher in the Rye - ‘Holden Caufield is an Island’ John Donne’s quote‚ ‘No man is an island’ connects quite directly to Holden Caulfield in ‘The Catcher in the Rye.’ Holden’s character is very relative to themes such as isolation‚ loneliness and non-conformity. Holden has a very distinct character; he has many features‚ which would describe him as quite a lonely‚ cynical young man. It is evident that a past of his has had such an effect on him that the adolescence he has become quite
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them as a normal person‚ but some main characters show to be anti-heroic. Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in The Rye and Naomi Nickel from Miriam Toews’ A Complicated Kindness show they are anti-heroes. Not being able to comply with society’s expectations and acting rebellious are what negative traits these two possess‚ but show a softer side from their compassionate personality and actions. Although both Holden and Naomi possess negative characteristics‚ which suits the anti-hero‚
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