The American classic, The Catcher in the Rye, although simply written, had quite sophisticated meanings. Salinger used seemingly inconsequential details of the novel as hidden metaphors to help carry out the theme. The main character and narrator, Holden, has many concealed allegories behind him, when uncovered, create a new and enlightened way of perceiving him and understanding his actions. As the insightful and tragic story comes to an end, the mere details unfold to become primary elements in concluding the theme. .
We first meet Holden as he sits on a hill, detached from the rest of the school at a football game. This has a big part to do with the theme throughout the novel: Holden's loneliness and seclusion from the rest of the world. On the hill, Holden sets himself "above the rest" and apart from those he thinks he is better than. The "phoniness" of his peers' lives disgust him and he is avoiding their presence. In a way, it seems as though "he is 'Holden' back, not allowing himself to become part of the ugliness he sees in virtually everyone." The name "Holden" depicts his incapability to interact with others because of his disgust and low regard for other's lifestyles. Caulfield, Holden's last name, has a lot to do with the theme of childhood innocence throughout the novel. A "caul" is a part of one of the membranes encasing the fetus, which is sometimes around the head when the child is born. It's obviously some sort of protection, quite possibly from the rest of the world. The caul protects children, just as Holden wishes he could do in saving the innocence in society. The last part of Caulfield, "field", has to do with the title's theme (Downey). The catcher in the rye has to do with a childhood fable in which the catcher catches children from falling off the cliff. Since the rye in the field is so high, the children cannot see over it. This elucidates the novel's metaphoric title, as the children cannot see beyond the boundaries of childhood and out of innocence.
So what is Catcher in the Rye really about??? ... So what is The Catcher in the Rye actually about? ... "The Catcher in the Rye" is a story of an emotionally disturbed young sixteen year old boy named Holden Caulfield. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. ... John Hinkley may have been trying to impress Jody Foster, but he was also a big Catcher in the Rye fan. ...
Catcher in the Rye The American Dream for family will greatly vary between people, as it should. ... In the Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
Catcher in the Rye Holden and His "Phony" Family The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interacts with many people throughout J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, but probably none have as much impact on him as certain members of his immediate family. ... Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden describes and interacts with various members of his family. ...
In the novel Catcher in the Rye Holden is a character that has many idealistic thoughts. ... Holden tells Phoebe about a dream of wanting to be the catcher in the rye. ... Holden had to let go of his ideal about being the catcher in the rye because it was not realistic. ...
The Catcher In The Rye J.D. Salinger The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. ... The Catcher In The Rye was a somewhat ironic title, occurring twice throughout the book. ... Haden replies that he wants to be the "catcher" in the rye. ... Once you have read The Catcher In The Rye we are reminded of the innocence of youth. ...
Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is frequently being banned from high schools. ... Although it does contain invective speech and sexual connotations, The Catcher in the Rye by J. ... It may be obvious why so many high schools are banning Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. ... Another cardinal notion for teenagers who are entering adulthood is the central theme of The Catcher in the Rye, the loss of innocence. ... I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. (173) When Holden divulges that he wishes to be the catcher in the rye, he is unveiling his desire to protect childhood...
"The Catcher in the Rye" Reflection The title "The Catcher in the Rye" is to symbolize how Holden wants to protect the innocence of little kids. In the novel he told Phoebe that he wants to be the catcher in the rye, he would stand at the edge of a cliff as children play around with him, and he would catch them before they ran too close to the cliff. ... Salinger called the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" because it signifies how even though Holden is the way he is; he still has the innocence of a little child inside of him. ...
The Catcher in the Rye has been called one of the greatest pieces of American literature throughout the 1950's. ... I have to say that there is a possibility that The Catcher in the Rye is a bad influence on young children. ... The book The Catcher in the Rye exemplifies how difficult it can be for some teens' life. ... On the other hand, the book The Catcher in the Rye really does not go far from the boundary. ... The Catcher in the Rye is a classic book that has been read in high schools all across the world. ...