holden caulfield
Connor Mettus
O’Brien
H English 10a-6
11th October 2012
Texting in the Rye
The smartphone: A rather recent phenomenon with seemingly endless capabilities. Yet, its largest asset is a rather primitive invention by comparison, texting. The lack of depth and rather emotionless responses encompassed in such a form of communication are what make it so enticing, especially to those who feel awkward in their own skin. Holden Caulfield, a rather extreme example, struggles to open up and have heart to heart conversations. Holden’s psychological profile would allow texting to effectively provide him a form of communication that is seemingly designed for him. In other words, texting is a communicative technology on the same wavelength as the socially awkward, implementing a way for him to feel comfortable in expressing who he is. Texting could provide some sort of salvation for Holden, creating superficial relationships that he desperately needs. Despite Holden’s view of the common man, which invariably affects his inability to communicate, kids managed to ascertain quite a different perspective from him. Their happiness correlates to an innocence which Holden has infinite respect and admiration. His sister Phoebe, who he depicts as all that is good in the world, is one of the few people he feels comfortable around; with Phoebe, Holden can be himself. This anomaly causes Holden to seek out the attention of his sister, regardless of the situation. Holden subliminally realized this when he was searching for Phoebe at the skating rink “”, (118-119). His anxiety was exacerbated when he could not find her, but he couldn’t find the courage to engage her in something as personal as a phone call. In such a scenario, texting was the quintessential technology withheld from Holden, its lack of existence proved futile in Holden’s attempt to connect with his sister. The problem was he carried on a sense of loneliness through his date with Sally, an
O’Brien
H English 10a-6
11th October 2012
Texting in the Rye
The smartphone: A rather recent phenomenon with seemingly endless capabilities. Yet, its largest asset is a rather primitive invention by comparison, texting. The lack of depth and rather emotionless responses encompassed in such a form of communication are what make it so enticing, especially to those who feel awkward in their own skin. Holden Caulfield, a rather extreme example, struggles to open up and have heart to heart conversations. Holden’s psychological profile would allow texting to effectively provide him a form of communication that is seemingly designed for him. In other words, texting is a communicative technology on the same wavelength as the socially awkward, implementing a way for him to feel comfortable in expressing who he is. Texting could provide some sort of salvation for Holden, creating superficial relationships that he desperately needs. Despite Holden’s view of the common man, which invariably affects his inability to communicate, kids managed to ascertain quite a different perspective from him. Their happiness correlates to an innocence which Holden has infinite respect and admiration. His sister Phoebe, who he depicts as all that is good in the world, is one of the few people he feels comfortable around; with Phoebe, Holden can be himself. This anomaly causes Holden to seek out the attention of his sister, regardless of the situation. Holden subliminally realized this when he was searching for Phoebe at the skating rink “”, (118-119). His anxiety was exacerbated when he could not find her, but he couldn’t find the courage to engage her in something as personal as a phone call. In such a scenario, texting was the quintessential technology withheld from Holden, its lack of existence proved futile in Holden’s attempt to connect with his sister. The problem was he carried on a sense of loneliness through his date with Sally, an