Confusion With Reality
As humans, we adjust to our surroundings and distinguish reality from imagination. At a young age, we play with our imagination and ignore reality. But as we mature, we learn not to take things for granted. We realize that reality is real, and imagination is make-believe. The world can be confusing. Reality is translated differently by each individual. Actions that may be bothersome to some, may seem normal to most. This behavior is evident in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. The main character, Holden Caufield, has a disturbed way of translating the world that appears before him. He takes everything for granted and criticizes everything that he comes across. Throughout most of the novel, Holden remains constant and resists change. But as the novel ends, his monotonous attitude appears to improve. He criticizes people very casually, has a healthier outlook in life, but still dislikes 'phony' people.Holden still criticizes people. At first, he criticizes his childhood, calling it a "lousy childhood (Salinger 1)." The last thing he criticizes is his brother, D.B's girlfriend. He remarks, "she was pret
Holden has a renewed viewpoint in life. He use to constantly get expelled from colleges for failing most of his classes, but his rendezvous with Phoebe outside the museum appears to set him straight. In the museum, Phoebe wants to go away with him. Incidentally, it scares him to stay, "Feel it once. . . Can't I go with you? Holden? Can't I? Please" and Holden responds, "No. Shut up. . . I'm not going away anywhere. I changed my mind. So stop crying and shut up (Salinger 206-207)." 'Shut up' is such a strong word for Holden to say, and he used it in defense to his emotions. Holden did not want to stay, but Phoebe's forcing Holden to go forced Holden to defend himself. He did not want the failures of his life to burden her. Since Phoebe was of a 'fighting nature', he would lose in a conflict against her. Consequently, Holden is forced to sacrifice his pleasure for Phoebe's benefit. Holden is accepted to another school that demonstrates his drive for a better future. However, he has not changed into a totally new man. He still lives in his world, where 'phonies' are not welcome. Holden still considers phonies his enemies. Although he may have matured in many aspects of his personality, he still cannot identify reality from absurdity (a.k.a. make-believe). He still lives in his world, where to his understanding, phonies are those who live life normally. He considers phony, a teacher who acts artificial when a principal
Some common words found in the essay are:
Holden Caufield, Consequently Holden, Please Holden, Confusion Reality, Phoebe Incidentally, III CP, Rye Salinger, holden caufield, criticizes people, considers phony, lives world, salinger 195, phony person, holden forced,
Approximate Word count = 972
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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