Catcher In The Rye: A Character Analysis

I can often empathize with characters in literature, cringing at their awkward situations or poor decisions. I share in their feeling of relief, satisfaction, or sense of accomplishment. I can feel the frustration in Romeo and Juliet, or relief at the end of Catcher in the Rye. However, I don’t feel as though I’m heavily influenced by fictional characters. Yes, I may be able to relate to their emotions, or even live their experience for a while through my reading, but I don’t feel as though they mold me. Perhaps my opinion becomes challenged, or my world view altered, but I don’t often think about myself and my future. After all, isn’t reading supposed to envelope you, make you lose track of time, and allow you to forget about your own life