Suffering from the loss of a family member can be very traumatic and in some cases, life altering. It can change a person's outlook upon existence and the attitude displayed in society. Some people have a religious reawakening while others fall into a deep depression, leaving people unable to do normal, everyday chores, or the entire personality can change. In the case of Holden Caulfield, the protagonist within the novel The Catcher in the Rye, the death of his brother Allie brought upon him grief but also something worse; Holden lost sense of who he was leaving him all alone. Holden comes from a moderately wealthy family from Manhattan; however, he never took advantage of the fruitful life he could have. Holden has been falling since the death of his brother. His one time teacher, Mr. Antolini, mentioned this symbolic plunge to Holden, "This fall I think you"re riding for- it's a special kind of fall, a horrible kind"(pg. 187, ch. 4). The fall that Holden Caulfield is experiencing stems from his brother's death, his loneliness, and inability to find respect in himself.
Allie was Holden's younger brother by two years, but by the way he spoke of Allie, you could tell that Holden thought very much of him. Holden had a great deal of respect for Allie; he knew that his little brother was by far the smartest and most compassionate member of the family. Throughout the novel, it was hinted that Holden had more than just respect for Allie. Allie was one of the only people in .
The Catcher in the Rye that Holden actually infers of loving. "God, he was a nice kid, though. He used to laugh so hard at something he thought of at the dinner table and he just about fell off his chair."(pg. 38, ch. 5) When Holden was 13, Allie died of leukemia. The night he died, Holden broke all the windows in the garage in a fit of uncontrollable grief. The night Allie passed away, a part of Holden died with him, his innocence and a clear sense of who he was as a person.
Holden becomes preoccupied and doesn't respond. ... Holden also likes New York. ... Holden enjoys the adventure of New York. ... When she asks Holden if he hates everything, Holden responds "I like Allie," but Phoebe is just upset more. ... That is why Holden treats the reader as a dear friend; the reader enables Holden to do what he likes the most. ...
It is in this way that Holden truly becomes the reader's hero. ... Phoebe Caulfield, Holden sister who he very much likes, he gets in contact with where Holden tells his inner most feelings and problems. ... Holden saw this in most of the people he met. ... The museum is important for Holden because it makes him think of kids. ... Holden tries to protect the innocent children. ...
Holden read all his stories and novels. ... The way Holden describes his dead brother Allie and their relationship reveals a loving, caring, and troubled Holden. ... Holden never does let go. ... Phoebe, Holden's ten-year-old sister, is the only one who can understand and communicate with Holden. ... s relationship with Holden explains Holden's dislike of phonies. ...
Holden's life is tormented by his constant search for the ideal. ... Allie is introduced as the nicest member of Holden's family. ... In some instances it is as if Holden is living in the past. ... Another person Holden holds in high esteem is Jane. ... In reality, Holden just wants to be accepted. ...
Through the innocence of his youth Holden views the world as hypocritical and corrupt. ... Holden can't find a place for himself in the world so he makes up an imaginary one. ... When Phoebe rides the carousel in Central Park, Holden begins to confront his fears. ... Holden seems to have come to terms with his problems. ... Holden has started reevaluating what is important in his life. ...
In the Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger, the relationship between Holden and his brother Allie conveys a loss of a meaningful connection and Holden's identity. ... Allie's death caused Holden to build a relationship with Phoebe and affected Holden's mind, and Holden felt like he had a shadow casted upon him with academics. ... Holden makes it clear that he thinks he is the dumb sibling. ... Holden's old teacher, Mr. ... The people that Holden cares about, Phoebe and Mr. ...
Holden is a young man of age seventeen. ... Three men stand out as possibilities to play this invaluable part of "wise old man" in Holden's confused life, Holden's father, Mr. ... Also, Caulfield repeatedly insulted Holden about his immaturity and yet never told Holden how to act mature. ... When Holden arrives, Antolini is already "a little oiled up", and, with highball in hand, offers Holden a cigarette. ... Later on, though, Holden wakes to find Antolini sitting next to him, half-dressed, highball in hand, stroking Holden's hair. ...
