Catcher in the Rye :: essays research papers

The Struggling BoyThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is an enthralling and captivating overbold about a boy and his struggle with life. The teenage boy ,Holden, is in turmoil with school, loneliness, and finding his place in the world. The author J.D. Salinger examines the many sides of behavior and chaste dilemma of many characters throughout the novel. The author develops three distinct character types for Holden the confused and struggling teenage boy, Ackley, a peculiar boy without many friends, and volt, a funny and kindhearted young girl.In the novel one distinctive type is the loner the character type which Holden Caufield portrayed. Holdens loneliness and confusion puts him in a depression that he cant escape. Holden thinks to himself "It made you depressed, and every once in a while you got goose flesh. It didnt wait at all like Christmas was coming soon. It didnt seem like anything was coming."(pg.118)Another trait that was portrayed throughout the novel w as peculiarity. The teenage boy Ackley who lives across the hall from Holden is very strange and has few friends. Ackley was very dirty, neer brushed his teeth, and almost always stayed alone in his room. Holden says " His teeth were always mossy- looking, and he was dirty as hell, but he always had clean fingernails."(pg.22)ingenuousness and kindheartedness is displayed in the novel through Holdens young sister, Phoebe. Whenever Holden is depressed about being alone he thinks of memories with his younger sister Phoebe and feels completely better. Phoebe is always there for her brother to listen to his stories and complaints.