The Catcher In The Rye: Unreachable Dreams
Many people find that their dreams are unreachable. Holden Caulfield
realizes this in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. As Holden tells his
story, he recounts the events since leaving the Pencey School to his
psychiatrist. At first, Holden sounds like a typical, misguided teenager,
rebellious towards his parents, angry with his teachers, and flunking out of
school. However, as his story progresses, it becomes clear that Holden is
indeed motivated, just not academically. He has a purpose: to protect the young
and innocent minds of young children from the “horrors” of adult society. He
hopes to freeze the children in time, as wax figures are frozen in a museum.
After interacting ...
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concern for my future, all right. Sure. Sure, I do.' I
thought about it for a minute. ‘But not too much, I guess,'” (14). After
leaving Pencey, he checks into a hotel where he invites a prostitute up to his
room. He gets cold feet and decides not to have intercourse with her, though.
Later, Holden decides to take his old girlfriend, Sally Hayes, to the theater.
After taking her to the theater, Holden formulates a crazy plan which entails
running away with Sally, getting married, and growing old together. Sally
thinks that he is crazy, and she decides to go home. During his stay away from
home, Holden drinks and smokes, showing even more misdirection. However, when
Holden returns home and talks to his sister, Phoebe, his direction becomes clear.
Holden wants to be the Catcher in the Rye to protect children from the
world in which he is forced to live. While talking with Phoebe, she asks Holden
what he would like to be. He responds saying:
"Anyway, I keep picturing all these ...
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The Catcher In The Rye: Unreachable Dreams. (2007, January 4). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Catcher-In-Rye-Unreachable-Dreams/58188
"The Catcher In The Rye: Unreachable Dreams." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 4 Jan. 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Catcher-In-Rye-Unreachable-Dreams/58188>
"The Catcher In The Rye: Unreachable Dreams." Essayworld.com. January 4, 2007. Accessed April 20, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Catcher-In-Rye-Unreachable-Dreams/58188.
"The Catcher In The Rye: Unreachable Dreams." Essayworld.com. January 4, 2007. Accessed April 20, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Catcher-In-Rye-Unreachable-Dreams/58188.
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