J.D. Salinger is Holden Caulfield - 1666 Words

Jerome David Salinger is an odd character with a colorful background. He was a young man unable to complete college and obtain a degree, yet he was made very popular due to his writing abilities. â€Å"Despite his slim body of work and reclusive lifestyle, ‘Salinger’ was one of the more influential twentieth century American writers.† states Biography.com, â€Å"His landmark novel, Catcher in the Rye, set a new course for literature in post World War II America.† The Catcher in the Rye told a story of Holden Caulfield and his struggle to find something pure in a world filled with â€Å"phonies† (Biography). It is arguable that some of Holden’s experiences could be comparitively autobiographical to Salinger’s real life. Much like J.D.†¦show more content†¦While attending Ursinus College, Salinger wrote a column in the school’s weekly newspaper, and many described his pieces as entertaining and laughable (Notable Biogr aphy). He also fell in love with a woman by the name of Oona O’Neill writing her letters almost daily, and was heartbroken when she married someone much older than herself (Liukkonen). Readers of The Catcher in the Rye can clearly see Salinger’s romantic rejection in his writing. When Holden’s roommate, Stradlater, goes on a date with Holden’s friend, Jane Gallagher he is filled with jealousy and feels that Stradlater too old for Jane and will make sexual advances towards her because he is more sexually experienced (Salinger, J.D., 52). Both Salinger and Holden share many failed attempts to find a relationship that is worthwhile. Holden’s failed attempts are, Sally Hayes, Jane Gallagher, the prostitute, and the three older woman in the lounge. Salinger’s include his first love, Oona, and his two marriages that left him in divorce. Salinger returned home and began taking night classes at Columbia University from professor Whit Burnett ( Biography). Biography.com says, â€Å" Burnett wasn’t just a good teacher, he was the editor of Story magazine, an influential publication that showcased short stories.† Burnett would give Salinger’s life an entirely differentlyShow MoreRelatedHolden Caulfield of The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger2251 Words   |  10 Pagesactions, he loses touch with reality. The ideas and plans are in a chaotic time slot; loneliness becomes the major factor in forming erratic thoughts and actions. In the novel A Catcher in the Rye, J.D Salinger gives insight to the protagonist’s thoughts, experiences, and frustrations in his world. Holden Caulfield’s instinctive desire to be a savior of the innocents evolves, and many times in the story, he faces disappointment. The internal struggles arise when his imagination draws him into situationsRead MoreHolden Caulfield of Catcher In the Rye, the equivalent portrayal of J.D Salinger1734 Words   |  7 Pag esHolden Caulfield of Catcher In the Rye, the equivalent portrayal of J.D Salinger Jerome David â€Å"J.D† Salinger’s masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye, is a world to the disillusioned protagonist Holden Caulfield. The story follows Holden Caulfield following his eviction from his private school, Holden leaves school two days early to travel New York before returning home. He interconnected with many different folks along the way and fascinatingly, the character of Holden Caulfield holds a remarkableRead MoreHolden Caulfield and the Pressures of Society: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1286 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Rye by J.D. Salinger, characterization is often found, especially regarding the protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Salinger also includes many themes in his novel relating to growing up in a corrupt society. Hence, this paper will compare, contrast, and evaluate literary criticisms regarding the themes and characterization of J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye. Many critics of The Catcher in the Rye discuss in depth the characterization of the protagonist Holden Caulfield. For exampleRead MoreMental Analysis on Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger ´s The Catcher in the Rye824 Words   |  4 PagesCare Service Corporation) (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, provides the narrative of a young adult, Holden Caulfield, who I believe shows many symptoms of several different mental disorders. In this essay, I will be providing examples straight from The Catcher in the Rye that support my theory of Holden Caulfield’s lack of mental stability. 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Lonely, affectionate, and judgmental, Holden is the narrator and protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye. His actions and the way he acts reveals that Holden is very lonely, and is longing for human companionship. Holden is somewhat mature above his age, but still desires pleasures like any other teenage boy. After meeting people, Holden becomes very judgemental about the way people act.Read MoreSimilarities And Differences Between Salinger And Holden Caulfield1671 Words   |  7 PagesCatcher in the Rye†, Holden Caulfield has many conflicts and life lessons. Throughout the story the author, J.D. Salinger, creates eve nts that make the main character realize that in life people change and grow. The message behind the story is let children grab the â€Å"gold ring† and you can’t always be the catcher in the rye. All of the things that make Holden who he is have many resemblances to the life of the author, J.D. Salinger.   Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the similarities between Holden and Salinger’s livesRead MoreThe Catcher in the Rye Essay1442 Words   |  6 Pagescharacteristics of Holden Caulfield, the adolescent protagonist hero of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and illuminate the reasons as to why this prototype of brooding adolescence, displaying a rather uber-cool style of disaffection, disenchantment and disillusionment became an indispensable figure of interest, in literary circles as well as popular culture. The paper seeks to take issue with the wider dimensions attached to the ‘incapacitation and debilitation’ Holden is often accused ofRead MoreD. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1872 Words   |  8 Pages J. D. Salinger s novel is often called, . . . the forbidden fruit in the garden of literature (The Catcher 116). J. D. Salinger is a writer from the 1950s, a time where literature has questioned the ideas of traditions placed in a community. Through his li fe and through his characters Holden Caulfield and Phoebe Caulfield in the 1950s realistic fictional bildungsroman The Catcher in the Rye, the postmodernist author J. D. Salinger focuses on the theme of self isolation in society in orderRead MoreThe Catcher In The Rye Analysis892 Words   |  4 Pagesperson. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, illustrates these ideas through Holden Caulfield, his main figure. By displaying how tough it is for him to grow up and admit that he cannot stay adamant in his belief and realize his interpretation of others is limited. The time that is presented allows Holden more ground for stereotypes and explains why his mindset is so set and why he interprets individuals and circumstances in his own sense. The perception of Holden help to present the internal struggles