In every type of media, whether it is a movie, television show, or a book, there is a journey present. Archetypes and quest elements are found and analyzed in everything. J.D. Salinger uses significant elements of the quest in his novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Holden is on a quest throughout the novel to discover himself. In his journey, significant elements of the quest are provided. In order to start a journey, there must be a call, which is one of the main elements. Holden's call is when he is kicked out of his school, Pencey Prep. On Holden's journey he speaks with significant people who are known as the helpers and guides. These people are his younger sister Phoebe, and his old English teacher, Mr. Antolini. These people help Holden to discover himself and receive his treasure in the end. In every story there is always a treasure or something that a person achieves. In the end of the novel, the quest element of the treasure is present. Holden receives an intangible treasure because of the help he receives from his helpers and guides. All of these elements are linked together and are significant to the quest. J.D. Salinger uses them appropriately in the novel.
             In order for a journey to being, there must be something that triggers the journey. In The Catcher in the Rye, the call is when Holden gets kicked out of Pencey Prep school. "They kicked me out. I wasn't supposed to come back after Christmas vacation, on account of I was flunking four subjects and not applying myself at all" (Salinger, 4). When this happened, Holden became depressed and knew that there was nothing keeping him at the school, so he had to leave. This was the reason for the start of Holden's journey. He was supposed to stay at the school until Wednesday because that was the day he was to return home but he decided that he would leave early and go to New York. This began his journey. "All of a sudden, I dec...