the mysteries of holden caulfield
In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger there are many insights about Holden Caulfield revealed by symbols, which would otherwise remain unclear. School, the checkerboard, the museum, and cigarettes and alcohol are all symbolic of Holden. These symbols tell us things about Holden that he doesn't tell us straight out. This essay will discuss many symbols in the book and what they tell us about Holden. The checkerboard is referred to a lot when Holden is thinking of his old friend Jane Gallagher. The checkerboard is symbolic of Holden's obsessiveness with Jane. Holden is always asking people and wondering if Jane still keeps her kings in the back row. In checkers, if you keep your kings in the back row, it's like a security. You can't lose if you play that way. This is why Holden is so curious about Jane and if she still keeps her kings in the back row. What he really wants to know is if Jane has lost her security and let someone besides Holden in. This is why when Stradlater returns from a date with Jane, Holden repeatedly asks Stradlater, "Did you ask her if she still keeps all her kings in the back row?" Holden is actually asking if Jane let down her guard and let go of her inno
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Spencer Holden, Central Park, Stradlater Holden, Jane Holden, Holden Caulfield, Pencey Holden, Hills Pencey, Jane Gallagher, kings row, Holden Stradlater, JD Salinger, jane kings row, fails school, holden tells, jane kings, tell holden, cigarettes alcohol, holden caulfield, holden actually, jane holden, failed schools, central park museum,
Approximate Word count = 902
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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