The Catcher in the Rye
...n character in this novel, typifies these themes in his attempts to resist maturing into adulthood and constantly pointing out how superficial the world around him really is. Another theme in this novel is Holden’s using isolation to protect himself (Natchez & Phillips). Promotes thought and emotion- This novel is known to promote thought and emotion as one of its main themes is the phoniness of the adult world. Although Holden’s views of the world are quite oversimplified, they are not entirely inaccurate. He makes the reader think about how superficial the world really is. Also, it promotes emotion. The way that Holden expresses his disappointment and emotional distress, such as isolating himself from most other people, being kicked out of four different prep schools, his hospitalization, etc., makes the reader feel sympathetic for him . Truthful and believable- The Catcher in the Rye is both truthful and believable as its main focus is the behaviour and attitudes of a troubled teenaged boy who does not want to turn into another “phony” adult. Many people are able to relate to some of Holden’s rebellious behaviours and his fear of change and maturity. It is easy to believe that someone with such traumatic experiences in his younger life, such as the death of his brother and the suicide of a friend, and such a negative outlook on life and adulthood would be hospitalized for a mental illness and would have a strange set of moral values. Changes lives- This novel is one that can be read and appreciated more then once, as its humor as well as its horrors of the life of a troubled 16 year old boy can be enjoyed on many different levels. This coming of age novel about a boy who fears losing the innocence of childhood is a different look at the adult world as many have come to know it. This novel is able to change lives as Holden points out phoniness and wickedness in the world around him, as well as how the world has become too materialistic. Perhaps the reader may realize that they may be making some of the tragic mistakes pointed out by Holden and want to make a change in their life. Also, they may apprecia...