Holden Caulfield (who is the main character of the book) seems to be a very pessimistic person. In my reading of the catcher in the rye i have been noting every use of the words "phony" and "depressing" (or depressed). Now, the books story is being told like it is Holden in the future (relative to the story) telling of the past (relative to the "future" story telling Holden)
He uses the word "depressing" in contexts like when he is in an empty hotel lobby, or in New York City when he is walking alone and he can hear people laughing with their dates. The word is usually used along side "lonesome".
He uses the word "phony" like when he is alone walking in NYC and he can hear guys with their dates "laughing like hyenas" about something that isn't even funny. That to him is a phony thing to do. Or giving a phony polite handshake or giving a phony name like "Jim Steele" just for the heck of it.
The question then is, is Holden pessimistic or realistic?
This is very interesting. One question I have is who or what is Holden? I like how you asked a question at the end to get the reader thinking. This sounds like an excellent book and you did an excellent job, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteSo this is why you kept calling Stephen a phoney.. lol. Anyways, is Holden a person who is mentally insane or sane? Is he jealous? Because you mentioned that he calls the men who laugh like hyenas phoney. Was he jealous of those men, since he seems to be so lonely? This sounds like an interesting book. Great blog. Until next time... ;)Lithuania!!
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