Theory of Holden Essay

A detailed Summary of Theory of Holden Essay

1. Holden's Hunting cap: His hat is something that makes him stand out from the crowd and society. To Holden, wearing his hat says that he's not going to be like all the rest of the phonies. It's also something that he really likes and he constantly talks about it being different. On page 22 he refers to his hat as a "people shooting hat", meaning he shoots people down when he wears it because he feels like he rising above everyone and standing out and living uniquely.

The carousel: I think the carousel represents how different both Phoebe and Holden live their lives. "I went over and sat down on this bench, and she went and got on the carousel...Then the carousel started, and I watched her go around and around" (page 211). Phoebe's on this ride, enjoying life's journey and everything it has to offer, not afraid to take the extra risk. While Holden on the other hand, is sitting back and spectating, cautiously observing everything, fearing that which life has to offer. He's watching this ride Phoebe's on, go around and around, and every time he sees her she's wearing the same thing. This makes him extremely happy knowing that although she's experiencing the different things in life and moving on, she still is going

1. Holden's Hunting cap: His hat is something that makes him stand out from the crowd and society. To Holden, wearing his hat says that he's not going to be like all the rest of the phonies. It's also something that he really likes and he constantly talks about it being different. On page 22 he refers to his hat as a "people shooting hat", meaning he shoots people down when he wears it because he feels like he rising above everyone and standing out and living uniquely.

1. Holden's Hunting cap: His hat is something that makes him stand out from the crowd and society. To Holden, wearing his hat says that he's not going to be like all the rest of the phonies. It's also something that he really likes and he constantly talks about it being different. On page 22 he refers to his hat as a "people shooting hat", meaning he shoots people down when he wears it because he feels like he rising above everyone and standing out and living uniquely.

3. The "Catcher in the Rye" is the only thing Holden wants to be when he grows up, if he had the choice. "Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big. I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do. I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all" (page 173). What's he's doing is trying to save all these little kids from growing up and 'falling off the cliff' into adulthood. He's scared for them and wants them forever to stay a child and enjoy the simple life of romping through the rye fields. Because he's already realized he can't save himself anymore, he wants to help all others.

5. Stradler was Holden's roommate while he was still going to school at Penacy Prep. He was a pretty friendly guy, in a partly phony kind of way. He spends much time fixing himself up to look good because he is madly in love with himself. As Holden was pointing out, on the outside Stradler looks like a neat, clean, and organized guy, but he's secretly a slob. "...You should've seen the razor he shaved himself with. It was always rusty as hell and full of lather and hairs and crap. He never cleaned it or anything. He always looked good when he was finished fixing himself up, but he was a secret slob anyway, if you knew him the way I did. I think the roommates in his dorm had a pretty big impact on the outcome of Holden's life. The few boys he conversed with in his dorm represented how society was to Holden. For example, he not only knew how people thought of old Stradler, but he also knew who and what he really was and was like. I think this consequently changed Holden's view on things and made it easier to recognize the many phonies.

4. Holden is in this museum, the mummy section, and he's standing around all the tombs. He oddly likes it there and describes it 'nice and peaceful', then all of a sudden he turns to see scribbles on the wall in red crayon that says, 'Fuck You'. The quote on the exam is like Holden's whole view on life, people spend their lives searching for a place that's nice and peaceful, only to find out there isn't any. Or, it may not even refer to merely a place, but everything.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 6236
Approximate Pages = 25 (250 words per page double spaced)

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