Catcher in the Rye- ‘Holden’s Hatred of Everything’ Essay

Holdens hatred of everything is shallow and indicates his avouch impossible and staccato attitude. Discuss. J.D. Salingers fresh Catcher in the Rye depicts a stripling struggling by an identity crisis during the 1950s. Salinger promotes the themes of growing up and adolescence through the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Holdens attitude towards life is bitter and contemptuous which prevents him from successfully interacting with other hoi polloi. His variety from puerility to adulthood is blurry and unclear as he lacks the skills indispensable to shift from one to the other. Furthermore, he is inefficient to overcome the obstacle, as he sees it, of growing up as he is finding it difficult to let the responsibility that comes with it.Holden exposes his idea of the shallowness and hypocrisy in the institution by describing them as phony. Holden recognizes that phoniness is all throughtaboo society. Whether it be in write to his old school principal at Elkton Hills only conv ersing with the upper cast families, or to his hatred of movies as it involves actors pretending to be something theyre not. Although Holden holds this demoralised attitude, it seems to be explicit that this outlook appears only to be evoked by sympathy, either for the families that looked down upon at Elkton Hills or for his own dysfunctional family. Holden likewise sees the insincerity in the publication of Stradlater, his roommate who is able to hide his mystery story slobbery behind his sex activityy appearance and fake charm.In this sense, Holden may to a fault be jealous of how easily Stradlater can shield his insecurities as he has a strong sense of self-imposed ego. Holden describes his fourth-year brother D.B. as a phony because Holden perceives him as a sellout for being a harm in Hollywood. Though Holden used to look up to his older brother, his now believes D.B. is compromising his talents for an audience. Similarly, with Ernie who plays piano at the nightclub, Holden is frustrated when the audience claps for him, claiming that people always clap for the wrong things. Holden is often build disapproving of special(prenominal) elements in society, however is able to justify to himself the reasons of his actions based on his own experiences and perceptions, which may clash with the expectations of society and it is this that confuses Holden.Holdens idea of reality is found to be altered due to hurtful experiences and t herefore he has worry with interactions, forming connections and approval of society. At the beginning of the text, the reader is informed that Holden is narrating from a psychogenic institution, which enables the reader to conclude that Holdens views of reality argon somewhat unstable. Moreover, Holden is unable to let go of the past, as he believes childhood is the only menage he will find happiness. Holdens perception of childhood consists of flat love, simplicity and safety from the corruption of the outer introductio n.To Holden, this genuineness existed only when Allie was a go. It is here that the reader is led to believe that the reasons behind Holdens inability to bulk with complexity and intimacy stem from the death of Allie which he has failed to properly regret for, resulting in mix-up and lack of the closure he needs to come upon forward. In regards to his sexuality and lack of knowledge or experience in the matter, Holden notes that it doesnt really apply as in his mind, hes probably the biggest sex maniac you ever saw which implies that Holden has already created his own homo in which he has isolated himself to. Holdens fantasy is to be the catcher in the rye, catching kids from falling off a cliff into the pretentious world of adulthood.This metaphor indicates that Holden wants to be the person to save the children before they fall out of their innocent knowledge into the repulsive world of adults. His desire to remain in of childhood is implied when he explains that the best thi ngs about the museum is everything stayed where it was which shows that he longs for a world that remains frozen and unchanged, as he headaches the unknown. Also, when watching Phoebe on the carousel, Holden mentions that the nice things about carousels were that they always played the same songs. The reality of the world cannot be guideed if the meaning is unknown, and this applies to Holden as his ignorance to explore this unknown prevents his from being the man he truly wants to be.Furthermore, Holden finds difficulty in accepting the concerns and responsibilities that are required in the adult world. His childishness and immaturity, whether deliberate or not, is evident when Holden left all the foils and equipment and stuff on the goddam subway and kind of of accepting that he made a mistake, he blames it on that he had to keep getting up to look at this map so theyd know where to get off.Holdens responsibility as an young teenager was to finish school with good grades howev er unable to do that, he transfers to different schools repeatedly, only to fail again. Holdens inability to accept responsibility may also be due to a devotion of success. Holdens childishness is also noticed throughout the novel when Holden refuses to go home and confront his parents about flunking out of Pencey Prep in fear of the criticism and consequences that will result. Holden dislikes responsibility, as he believes that with it comes expectations, and if he doesnt live up to those expectations, then the unconditional love he received through childhood will subside.Catcher in the Rye explores the tension and confusion between Holdens aspiration to observe and isolate with his need to dialogue and connect. Holden displays characteristics of a secluded mentality and is victim of his own isolation, which in work prevents him from conforming to societys expectations. Through Holden, the contrast between childhood and adulthood and the process of transitioning from one to anot her are examined closely. As the novel progresses, the reader is able to understand what events Holden has experienced that have lead to his unrealistic and confused attitude about fearing change, resenting adulthood and growing up.