Essay on The Theme of Hypocrisy in The Catcher In The Rye

The Theme of Hypocrisy in The Catcher In The Rye nbsp; nbsp; In the novel The Catcher In The Rye, the protagonist Holden Caulfield views his surroundings with hypocrisy and contempt in an attempt to avoid the corruption of adulthood. Holden places himself above the crowd because he believes everyone acts phony. In the process, Caulfield reveals his true problem: his refusal to change. nbsp; Holden fears adulthood because it brings responsibilities and trouble. He believes all adults possess an aurora of phoniness. His disgust of everyone around him reveals his fear of growing up. Holden exhibits insecurity, so to make himself feel better, he exercises the power to condemn people for the way they behave. Holden†¦show more content†¦The trouble is, you wouldnt (Salinger 172). Because the aging process is inevitable, Holden abhors the idea of growing up and becoming a phony himself. nbsp; Change is inevitable and is a constant phase that Holden cannot conceptualize. Holdens fear of change can be exemplified by the Museum of Natural History. Like the museum, he wants everything to be unchanging and as simple as possible. He talks about the immutable statues by saying, Certain things they should stay the way they are... I know its impossible, but its too bad anyway (Salinger 122). By admitting his fear of change, Holden also reveals another important aspect of his life: his loss of childhood innocence. The only thing he can talk about without contempt is kids. Allie, his deceased brother, is continuously mentioned in the book, as well as the many interactions Holden has with Phoebe. Although he is continuously deriding others around him, he humbly admits to his sister that the only thing he could envision doing is saving kids, What I have to do - I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff [...] Id just be the catcher in the rye and all. I k now its crazy, but thats the only thing Id like to be (Salinger 173). Holdens love for kids is the onlyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book The Catcher Of The Rye 1080 Words   |  5 Pagessociety has left them believing hypocrisy is a trait carried through many, and thus falsely believing they are exempt from it. Hypocrisy is viewed as the process of stating moral standards or beliefs in which one self does not follow. Although both characters are seen with this theme, it’s not the only one present. In the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and the movie Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers hypocrisy, self-Isolation and the deception of adult-hood are themes that re-illiterate the comingRead MoreTheme Of The Catcher In The Rye976 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger there are several different themes portrayed that widely relate to current issues of teenagers and adults alike. While reading the novel several different them es were revealed creating a deep and meaningful story line. Three themes viewed within the novel are; the phoniness of the adult world, alienation as a form of self-protection, and the painfulness of growing up. Each of these themes have large significance in character and plot developmentRead MoreThe Themes of The Catcher in the Rye840 Words   |  3 PagesConsidered one of the best novels of the 20th century, The Catcher in the Rye has affected readers around the globe since its publication in 1951. Its contemporary critics, however, gave the novel mixed reviews. Compared to the ideals of 1950s America, Holden Caulfield, the emotionally immature, extremely judgmental, teen-aged main character of â€Å"Catcher,† embodies the antithesis. Holden was an affront to the new social order, which demanded conformity and propagated the â€Å"father knows best† mentalityRead MoreCatcher in the Rye Word Choice795 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Word Choice in The Catcher in the Rye By Tom Condon Word choice is a crucial element in a well-crafted story. 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Pearl is born to Hester, as an o utcome of their sin however Hester does not reveal who theRead MoreAnalysis of A Catcher In the Ryes Holden Caulfield: Enemy of Himself1686 Words   |  7 PagesJerome David Salinger’s only novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is based on the life events shaping main character, Holden Caulfield, into the troubled teen that is telling the story in 1950. The theme of the story is one of emotional disconnection felt by the alienated teenagers of this time period. The quote, â€Å" I didn’t know anyone there that was splendid and clear thinking and all† (Salinger 4) sets the tone that Holden cannot find a connection with anyone around him and that he is on a lonely endeavorRead MoreThe Freedom Of Speech Through The First Amendment Essay1156 Words   |  5 PagesThe Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger published in 1951. 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Because of a self-imposed exile that began almost at the same time the Salingers career was just taking off, much of the substance of theRead More Catcher In The Rye- Movie Proposal Essay examples1538 Words   |  7 Pages Movie Proposal: The Catcher in the Rye To the Producer: nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The Catcher in the Rye, a contemporary novel by J.D. Salinger, is a thought-provoking, fascinating look at society’s values and issues in the 1950’s. This book would make an excellent transition to film because it is full of both action and implication. It focuses on a four-day period of time in the life of a sixteen-year-old cynic with emotional problems. The book follows Holden CaulfieldRead More The Adolescent Crisis of The Catcher in the Rye Essays2746 Words   |  11 PagesThe Adolescent Crisis of The Catcher in the Rye Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is valid, realistic, representation of the adolescent world. The book is about adolescent crisis. The main character, Holden, runs away from his expensive school because he is an academic failure and finds intolerable the company of so many phoneys. Holden is a rangy sixteen year old who has grown too fast. Girls are on his mind. Whenever girls do something pretty, even if theyre ugly or stupid