There are quite a few characters who influence Holden Caulfield, whether it be positively or negatively. Three minor characters have had a profound influence on Holden- Mr. Spencer, Sunny, and Mr. Antonelli. The actions of each of these individual characters has had an impact on Holden in some way, shape, or form. The following quote, stated by Holden Caulfield himself, show a complete turnaround in his personality and demeanor- ‘"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 off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything."’ The quote describes Holden’s vain attempt to protect all of the innocence in the world. Mr. Spencer, Sunny, and Mr. Antonelli, although relatively minor characters in the grand scheme of the novel, did have a major impact on Holden’s view of the world and of himself. These three characters can best be described as foil characters, which is a minor character whose actions parallel the main character’s, therefore illuminating the main character. …show more content…
Spencer, his history teacher at Pencey Prep, and his favorite teacher in the whole school, even though Mr. Spencer gave him a failing grade in his class and sent him home with a note requesting that he stop by his house to speak with him before he leaves. Mr. Spencer unsuccessfully tried to change Holden’s disregard for academics. When it was time for Holden to say farewell to his hometown, Mr. Spencer gave Holden a speech at his own home about becoming someone. He explained to Holden that he needed to think about his future, not just go into the future blindfolded. Mr. Spencer shaped his character by informing him that he wasn’t alone in the world, and told him to think about his life in the future, as stated by the quote, ‘“I’d like to put some sense in that head of yours, boy. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you if I
In the novel Catcher in the Rye, by J.D Salinger, the main character Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old boy who defies society and pushes himself away from society. While he pushes himself away, he starts getting the title of an antihero. The qualities of an anti hero that Holden possesses include the of lack heroic traits, defies conventional codes of behavior and is not a villain. Holden, possesses all 3 of the main qualities to be classified as an antihero.
Adolescence, this is a time where you figure out who you truly are. This soul searching leads to self realization. Holden Caulfield from The Catcher In The Rye by J. D. Salinger, has trouble accepting himself. Throughout his days he would put on a cap just to be someone else. It is his get away place, a place of isolation. A way for him to seclude from the world and become someone he isn’t. This is relatable to numerous teens. Though Holden could be described using numerous adjectives, Holden's character can be perfectly described as ignorant, a liar, and a slacker. He is ignorant because he does not learn from his mistakes. He is a compulsive liar. Finally, he is a slacker because he avoids work. Holden is just like countless people out there who do not apply themselves. You see, Holden could be smart. He could be successful. He just doesn’t have the motivation or ambition to do so.
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a story about the trials of life and the toll it can take on the psyche. I believe that Holden Caulfield is an under credited hero. He is a teenager forced to grow up in a time of turmoil with severe emotional handicaps placed upon him by family, friends and life in general.
Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn exist as the central protagonists of their respective texts. Caulfield and Huck undertake a journey in their text, in which the character learns from their experiences and meet different people, who alter their outlook on life. These main protagonists are still not mature, and this stands displayed throughout the two books, however the must mature soon, as they are becoming adults.
Holden shows his personal accountability by talking to his favorite teacher Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer was Holden’s favorite teacher at Pencey and told Holden to come by and say good-bye to him since
Holden Caulfield puts on a hard, confident exterior, but when minor characters come into play, it reveals that Holden is actually very caring, sensitive, and happy. Using minor characters in a story makes it powerful because they reveal the main character’s true personality, just like in the Supporting Actors article and the movie ‘Stand By Me’.
Holden Caulfield is a very immature teen. He pesters many people around him and almost seems to enjoy getting under people’s skin. In the beginning of the book, Holden meets with one of his Professors, Mr. Spencer. His professor
Holden Caulfield’s life is defined by his dislike of pretty much everyone and everything because his parents never taught him to do otherwise. His parents neglected him by sending him to multiple schools and never taught him how to deal with his emotional issues. Holden was never taught by an adult how to deal with his grief after his brother, Allie’s death. Since almost every adult Holden meets end up letting him down, he grows up to be emotionally stunted and thus is rejected by the world around him.
The fact that I don't hear the word authentic much and not really familiar with the word, but when the word authentic comes up I usually think of me or something relating to me. Now if I was asked the question, ¨what makes an authentic character?¨ I would say a character that people from any generation can relate to. The way they talk, think, reasoning, all of those make it easy for anyone to relate with and make it feel like that character is talking to the reader. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger Is about a teenage name Holden Caulfield, the main character with problems and decided to leave his dorm to wander in New York city. Holden Caulfield was indeed an authentic character. The way
Holden Caulfield is alone for the first time, forcing him to not only see the reality of everlasting corruption, but also show him he stands alone in wanting to preserve young innocence. Throughout the book Holden is always putting forth efforts to help everyone, further pushing him astray from society's normalities. While some may say that Holden is always distraught because of his own reckless behavior, I say Holden is trying to counter reckless behavior that is being forced upon the young people in society. In a battle of innocence versus corruption, Holden Caulfield is left an outcast due to his morals and efforts made to preserve a childlike innocence.
My Patient, Holden Caulfield has a family of six including his parents and himself. He has a ten year old sister Phoebe, older brother D.B. a screenwriter at Hollywood, and a younger brother known as Allie who had died of leukemia around eleven years old. Holden had attended at four schools including Pencey prep and was later expelled for failing most of his classes except for english. “This is about the fourth school I've gone to. " I shook my head..."Boy!"(Salinger 9).
The patient is Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old teenage boy. Caulfield's appearance is tall for his age and surprisingly has quite a few gray hairs at the age of sixteen. Holden comes from an upper-middle class family. His family has enough money to support Holden with many luxuries including skates and expensive suitcases. It appears that Mr. and Mrs. Caulfield aren?t there to talk, care, and be there for Holden, which seems to drive Holden away from his family. However, he has an intimate bond with his younger siblings, who embody innocence and youth. The death of his brother Allie has left a large scar on Holden. He has a cherished and intimate relationship with his young
In “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, the main character Holden Caulfield is a nervous and unhappy dropout. After being kicked out of his prestigious high school, he goes to New York City and roams the streets for three days searching for both innocence and adulthood. While he holds a hatred for “phonies”, people he sees as fakes or cheats, he himself can be portrayed as a phony.
Youth is the time of deadly dangers. It is a time where one simple mistake can spiral the rest of one’s life out of control. Although trials and tribulations await for those who enter this stage of life, there are many of those who have survived through this treacherous storm of confusion and angst. Two of these contestants that have made huge strides in this game are Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye, and Junior from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Holden, a youth from New York, has been expelled from his high school: Pencey Prep. Finally, having enough of his life, he goes out and ventures onto wherever the wind blows. With only himself and his pessimistic personality to brave the world, he desperately clings
In J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, the author illustrates Holden Caulfield’s journey after leaving Pencey State and traveling to New York from Holden’s first-person point of view. This journey he partakes in is one of self-discovery and acceptance, ultimately searching for his own self worth. Though Holden has little to no character development throughout the novel, it is still difficult to fully address who he is. Stemming from his own desire to live in his childhood state of mind and tendencies, Holden creates a complex and disputable persona that challenges who readers believe his is. Due to his unreliable narration, disorganized thoughts, foul behavior, and immoral decisions made throughout the story, it is unclear as to whether or not Holden even knows himself. Through an analysis of personal traits and issues, relationships, his current situations, and the symbolism, themes, and motifs seen throughout the novel, readers are able to begin the understanding of who Holden Caulfield is.