Holdens Perception of Others in Catcher in the Rye Essay -- Catcher R

Holdens Perception of Others in backstop in the Rye J.D. Salingers novel Catcher in the Rye revolves about Holdens encounters with other people. He divides all people into two different categories, the phonies and the authentics. Holden refers to a phony as someone who discriminates against others, is a hypocrite, or has manifestations of conformity. A persons age, gender, and occupation, play a key role in how Holden interacts with them. Holden shows a particular liking towards children over adults. He values the innocence and authenticity of children and he tries to protect them from the phoniness and evil of the world. When he goes back to his old school at the end of the novel to give a note to Phoebe, he ensures an obscenity on the wall that infuriates him. He says, Somebodyd written F*** you on the wall. It drove me near damn crazy. I thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see it, and then finally some dirty kid would tell them-all cockeyed, about it and maybe even worry about it for a couple of days. I unploughed wanting to kill whoeverd written it (201). When Holdens sister Phoebe demands that he tell her one thing that he really manages, Holdens responds saying, I like Allie...And I like doing what Im doing right now. Sitting here with you, and talking and thinking about stuff... (171), showing that hes most content in the simple and innocent world of his childhood. Holden has a look upon for women that he views as unnatural. He feels that his sexual desires should be similar to those of his roommate Stradlater and peer, Luce. Holden shows his confusion by saying, The thing is, most of the time when youre coming close to doing it with a girl, a girl that isnt ... ...c artistry to phony artistry, Holden lost respect and his opinion of his brother changed. Holden divides people into the phony and authentic groups based on age, gender, and their occupations. The novel revolves around Holdens encounters and interactions with the people, which makes Holden decide subconsciously not to try to escape society through death. But, ultimately he learns that you cannot protect the innocent from the phonies of the world. Works Cited If You Really Want to turn in A Catcher Casebook. Ed. Malcolm M. Marsden. Chicago Scott, Foresman, 1963. 68-73. Crispell, Diane. The Holden Syndrome. American Demographics. Aug. 2001. Online. 7 June. 2003. Available http//www.marketingtools.com/Publications/AD/96_AD/9608_AD/9608AF01.htm Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston Little, Brown, 1991.