Summary:
A study of what Holden's comments and attitudes towards sex reveal about his character in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."
In Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, the physical and psychological unraveling of the narrator, Holden Caulfield, is related through his inarticulate, but sincere voice. Salinger weaves Holden's narration in a way that reflects the young character's age through his words and thoughts. At 16 years young, Holden's narration is often pessimistic, at times enthusiastic, and above all else contradictory. The same could be said about his thoughts concerning the topic of sex, which is a growing source of anxiety for the 16 year old. And Holden is confronted by it quite often in the course of his weekend-and-a-bit adventure. But, unlike most of the teenagers surrounding him, Holden views sex in a different light. Through the narration of his actions and attitudes concerning sex, Holden reveals his sensitivity, innocence, and fear of change.
Holden's sensitivity is.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. There are 1,088 words (approx.
4 pages at 300 words per page) in the full essay.
Read the rest of this Essay with our Revealing Caulfield Access Pass.
