The Catcher In The Rye 5 Essay

The Catcher In The Rye 5 Essay, Research Paper The Catcher in the Rye It is a worldwide known concept that communication among different people is a necessity of one’s life if it is to be a happy one. Human companionship is something everyone will do anything for. Yet, some people have difficulties in communicating with others especially when they see problems among the people they try to communicate with. In this novel, “The Catcher in the Rye,” the author, J.D. Salinger, illustrates the protagonist’s difficulty in communicating with other people, especially with the women he encounters throughout the novel. The reader can see Holden Caulfield’s failed attempts to communicate with people. In the conversations Holden has with people, he usually makes up lies or ends

up embarassing them or himself. In others, he usually ends up being hostile towards them. Yet, it seems obvious that the reason for his failed attempts of communication is because he won’t allow people to express themselves as they are. He automatically assumes that they are “phony” because of their first impression towards him. He won’t give them a chance to express themselves unless he decides that their first impression towards them makes them “likeable”. Although Phoebe Caulfield may be Holden’s younger sister, she is someone whom Holden looks up to for support and advice. She is one of the few people he feels great affection for and he talks about her with obvious happiness. Everything that he says of Phoebe is something that brings contentment to him and he

becomes gentle and avoids the jokes that usually fill his sentences. Everything he says sounds touching. It is obvious that being with children such as Phoebe makes Holden very happy. “I sat there on D.B.’s desk and read the whole notebook. It didn’t take me long, and I can read that kind of stuff, some kid’s notebook, Phoebe’s or anybody’s all day and all night long. Kid’s notebooks kill me.” (pg. 161, “The Catcher in the Rye”) Not only does Holden feel great affection for Phoebe, Phoebe feels great affection for Holden as well. It isn’t too hard to understand that she and Holden are especially close since one of their brothers is dead and the other lives miles from their home. It is also surprising on how quickly Phoebe realizes that Holden came home

earlier than expected. It is obvious that Phoebe is much more mature and articulate for her age to realize something like that so quickly. It is as if she is Holden’s older sister instead of the younger one. Another female that takes part in Holden’s life is Sally Hayes. She is a beautiful but shallow girl that Holden has dated in the past. To Holden’s standards, Sally is another “phony” person but her beauty makes Holden put his standards aside for the moment. The unusual thing is that Holden made it clear that he disliked the girl, yet he said that the minute he saw her, he felt like marrying her. On their date together, he tells her that he loved her even though it was a lie, and yet he meant it when he said it. In return, Sally tells Holden that she loved him as

well. After exchanging their false feelings for each other, Holden tries to explain what is happening in his life, but she is incapable of understanding his problems. “Well, I hate it. Boy do I hate it. But it isn’t just that It’s everything. I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison Avenue buses, with the drivers yelling at you to get out at the rear door, and being introduced to phony guys, and going up and down in elevators when you just want to go outside.” “I don’t know what you’re even talking about” (pg. 130-31, “The Catcher in the Rye”) In the end of his conversation, he asks her to help him which is one of the most unrealistic things he has done yet. Sally Hayes is the last person who might be willing to help Holden with his troubles.