Catcher in the Rye Theme
J.D. Salinger uses Holden Caulfield's anti-heroic characteristics to develop the theme of innocence and childhood.Holden is afraid of growing up and would prefer to remain an innocent child. He seems unable to face the responsibilities that come as one gets older. His continued flunking at school shows this. "They kicked me out. I wasn't suppose to come back after Christmas vacation, on account of I was flunking four subjects and not applying myself at all." (Page 4). School is normally where young children learn to become responsible adult members of society, but Holden rejects the values at Pency just as he did the other schools from which he was expelled. Flunking school is a way Holden can hold on
to his innocence and childhood, instead of growing up. I felt much more depressed than sexy. His relationship with Jane was innocent, even though they kissed; Holden informs us it wasn't on the mouth! "Then she really started to cry, and the next thing I knew, I was kissing her all over-anywhere-her eyes, her nose, her forehead, her eyebrows and all, her ears-her whole face except her mouth and all. She sort of wouold not let me get to her mouth. For example his initial attempts to get alcohol are unsuccessful and when he finally does get served he gets drunk and breaks his sister's present. I mean she did it so sudden and all. Holden's relationship with Jane Gallagher also reveals his fear of growing up. I know you're supposed to feel pretty sexy when somebody gets up and pulls their dress over their head but I didn't. Nostalgia and fond childhood memories are pleasant for Holden. "Ya got a watch on ya?" she asked me again, and then she stood up and pulled her dress over her head. I certainly felt peculier when she did that. Sexy was about the last thing I was feeling.
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Acceptance Essays
