Theme Of Loss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye
Sedlacek 1
Jessica Sedlacek
Mrs. Curran
ENG 4U1-06
April 23, 2009
How Holden’s Loss of Innocence is Revealed Throughout The Catcher in the Rye Every child experiences maturation, and struggles through their adolescence as they attempt to hold on to their innocence. The novel The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger, illustrates this theme through the character of Holden Caulfield. Holden is an isolated, self-critical, sixteen year old boy, whose attitude is governed by a hatred of hypocrisy which he believes, surrounds him. Holden is terrified of growing up because he sees all of the ugliness of the adult world that he will be forced to enter. However, he already lost his innocence when his brother Allie died of leukemia four …show more content…
This illustrates to Holden that he too must live through this confusing world. “Their bodies for Chrissake–what’sa matter with ya? Their bodies take in nutrition and all, right through the … seaweed and crap that’s in the ice. They got their pores open the whole time” (Salinger 83). This informs Holden that the only way to make it through the hard times is by opening yourself up. Holden’s questions about the pond in Central Park ultimately help him with his path towards …show more content…
This setting of the carousel in the park symbolizes life, and the continuous journey of childhood into adulthood. Sometimes children fall when striving to reach goals, or success in their life. As Phoebe and the other children go around and around on the carousel, Holden becomes afraid that she will fall as she reaches for the gold ring. Holden wanted to yell out to the children that it was dangerous to try to achieve this goal, but he realized that the children have to go through life and learn things for themselves. “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall, they fall off, but its bad if you say anything to them,” (Salinger 211). Holden realizes that his dream of becoming the catcher in the rye is non realistic. He attempted many times to regain his own innocence, and was not able to recover it. He understands that every child must fall eventually, just as he has fallen. Although this realization is hard for Holden, he is still satisfied. “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around, and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth” (Salinger 213). Holden finds comfort in the knowledge that Phoebe, and the other children are held in a suspended state of blissful innocence. His happiness is deepened in the
Jessica Sedlacek
Mrs. Curran
ENG 4U1-06
April 23, 2009
How Holden’s Loss of Innocence is Revealed Throughout The Catcher in the Rye Every child experiences maturation, and struggles through their adolescence as they attempt to hold on to their innocence. The novel The Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger, illustrates this theme through the character of Holden Caulfield. Holden is an isolated, self-critical, sixteen year old boy, whose attitude is governed by a hatred of hypocrisy which he believes, surrounds him. Holden is terrified of growing up because he sees all of the ugliness of the adult world that he will be forced to enter. However, he already lost his innocence when his brother Allie died of leukemia four …show more content…
This illustrates to Holden that he too must live through this confusing world. “Their bodies for Chrissake–what’sa matter with ya? Their bodies take in nutrition and all, right through the … seaweed and crap that’s in the ice. They got their pores open the whole time” (Salinger 83). This informs Holden that the only way to make it through the hard times is by opening yourself up. Holden’s questions about the pond in Central Park ultimately help him with his path towards …show more content…
This setting of the carousel in the park symbolizes life, and the continuous journey of childhood into adulthood. Sometimes children fall when striving to reach goals, or success in their life. As Phoebe and the other children go around and around on the carousel, Holden becomes afraid that she will fall as she reaches for the gold ring. Holden wanted to yell out to the children that it was dangerous to try to achieve this goal, but he realized that the children have to go through life and learn things for themselves. “The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall, they fall off, but its bad if you say anything to them,” (Salinger 211). Holden realizes that his dream of becoming the catcher in the rye is non realistic. He attempted many times to regain his own innocence, and was not able to recover it. He understands that every child must fall eventually, just as he has fallen. Although this realization is hard for Holden, he is still satisfied. “I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around, and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth” (Salinger 213). Holden finds comfort in the knowledge that Phoebe, and the other children are held in a suspended state of blissful innocence. His happiness is deepened in the