I think that an important theme in The Catcher in the Rye is Holden’s rebellion against society and social norms. Holden rebels against being a normal kid. He doesn’t go to the football game, he doesn’t make friends. I think he acts this way because he is insecure. He is always lying about things for no apparent reason, and he often plays himself up to be “cooler” than he is. An example of this would be when he admits to being a virgin, but then he quickly qualifies him admitting to that by saying how close he has gotten so many times. He can never just be himself. Also, he is very critical of everyone else. I do not think he is comfortable with himself so he feels the need to break down other people. The effect that this has on him is that he becomes even lonelier and more insecure. He hates to be alone after he gets into New York. However, I don’t think that his actions have a great effect on society. By him rebelling against society and being anti-social, he isn’t a part of other’s lives and therefore he never really affects them in any way.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Week 5, Troy Schott
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It is completely true that Holden goes against society and the social norms. I think you make a really good point about saying that he is insecure. For people that I know who are insecure, they share many of the same characteristics as Holden. One of the biggest similarities is the fact that they lie there way through multiple things. This is definitely something that insecure people do. They do this because they feel like they need to make themselves look better or cooler to other people, rather than just being their own person. This is exactly how Holden is. You never really know when you can just him and that is a definite sign of a very rebellious and insecure person. Also, insecure people seem to be lonely most of the time and Holden definately is a lonely person. He doesn't really have a best friend to go and talk to or just hang out with. He really doesn't have anyone which also leads to Holden's rebellious lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI also think that he is becoming lonely because of his own action. Lying and criticizing people will never help him in makin friends. He tends to hold back what he really feels about situations and is kinda hypocritical. He sayd people who go to the movies are phony. Then he does it him self so secretly i think he enjoys stuff other people do like the movies and football games. But he also gets a sence of security from being different.
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