Catcher In The Rye Essay English Literature Essay

Catcher In The Rye Essay English Literature Essay People  who  shut their eyes  to  reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone  who  insists  on  remaining  in a  state  of  innocence long after  that  innocence is  dead turns himself into  a  monster (James Baldwin). One cannot hold onto their innocence forever, the longer he or she holds onto it, the more one can lose sight of their selves. In The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield struggles in accepting his loss of innocence which leads towards his downfall. Holden is a struggling 16 year-old boy, trying to find his place in the world, a world in which allows him to retain his innocence and as he begins to move towards the adult world, he clings to his innocence in a more urgent desperation. Over the course of three days, the novel follows Holden where he eventually accepts his loss of innocence, but not without going through many struggles along the way first. Through Salingers use of symbols, the reader is able to clearly identify Holdens resistance towards becoming an adult and releasing his innocence. In The Catcher in the Rye, the author uses the Museum of Natural History, the erasing of profanity, and the carousel to reveal that a person cannot avoid his or her loss of innocence and it is difficult to accept that once it is gone, it never comes back. Holden visits his childhood spot, Museum of Natural History, symbolizing a world in which nothing has to change which in turn, Holden wishes could apply to life. While reflecting on his memories from the museum he realizes that the reason he loved it so much was because the way he could count on everything staying the same, The best thing though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobodyd moveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the only thing that would be different is you (Salinger 121). Just like the thought of preserving innocence, Holden revels in the thought of everything staying exactly the same, forever. However, Holden knows he has become different, he acknowledges this in the quote. He realizes that he possesses less innocence than he did the last time he visited the museum. The concept of stability that this quote provides makes it evident that Holden is afraid of becoming different, evolving into an adult with different views than he once held. Deep down, he a dmits that even though certain things can remain the same, he will not. He is slowly beginning to recognize the fact he has lost his innocence for good, but it comes down to his admittance of this. Although, he thinks he can protect himself, the loss of his innocence is inevitable. Holden reflects on the museums consistency and he believes a world where everything could be preserved (even though it would be impossible) would solve many problems that he holds, Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know thats impossible, but its too bad anyways (Salinger 122). Holden longs for a world in which everything can stay the same. Holden wouldnt have to enter the adult world and he would never have to lose his innocence and accept his growing responsibilities in his ideal world. It is implied that some of the certain things Holden might want to preserve is Allie, his deceased brother. I f Allie was put into one of the glass cases, he would never be exposed to his death, he wouldnt have to lose his innocence. Holden recognizes the fact though that this thought is impossible. He knows there is never a way in order to protect the ones he cares about and their innocence. He knows that there is no avoidance in the loss of innocence, but he is only scared to see it will never come back. Holden arrives at the museum, only to be consumed by a feeling that changes his wanting to visit the museum, When I got to the museum, all of a sudden I wouldnt have gone inside for a million bucks (Salinger 122). Holden realizes that if he steps into the museum he will acknowledge the fact he has changed, become different. Holden sees that he has lost his innocence, but he isnt ready to admit that he has lost it for good. Holden chooses to not go into the museum in order to try and avoid his recognition of his loss of innocence. However, eventually, if not the museum something will cause Holden to see reality for what it really is. As a child, Holden held on to the fond, innocent memories of the museum. Now, grown up, he is afraid that if he sees the museum now, his innocent perspective will change forcing him to accept the fact that he has lost his innocence for good. The Museum helps Holden realize the fact that as much as he wishes things could stay the same; he knows life does not work that way. Holdens erasing of the profanity symbolized the corruption of innocence and Holdens strong sense of duty towards the children who would see it, thinking it is his responsibility to be able to preserve all of their innocence, but knowing it is impossible. While visiting Phoebes elementary school, he observes the profanity that is written on the schools wall and is taken aback, Somebodyd written Fuck you on the wall. I thought how Phoebe and all the other little kids would see ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦If you had a million years to do it in, you couldnt rub out even half the Fuck you signs in the world (Salinger 201). Holden feels that children should not be exposed to anything that has a chance of corrupting their innocence. In this incident, the exposure to the phrase Fuck you creates Holden to believe it is his duty to be the savior to all the children. Although he wants to believe that by erasing all of the Fuck you signs could save childrens innocence, he knows that it is impossible to be able to save every single child. He cannot accept the fact that these children cannot avoid their loss of innocence, just like Holden cant as well. He is worried that if these children see the phrase, they will have no way of retaining their innocence which is already impossible. Again, he comes across another profane expression carved into the schools wall, I saw another Fuck you on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldnt come off (Salinger 202). Holden is beginning to witness that some things, like innocence, cannot be avoided. Some things are unavoidable. Even though he knows that phrase is permanently etched into the wall, he still desperately tries to erase it. This is symbolic of how he desperately tries to preserve his innocence even though he is already becoming different, something that cannot be changed. While the phrase symbolizes another way to corrupt ones innocence, it becomes evident that like the etching, innocence cannot be protected forever. When Holden is at the museum, in the tomb exhibit he sees yet more profanity on the walls, only this time it is written in crayola, Youd never guess what I saw on the wall. Another Fuck you. It was written with red crayon or something, right under the glass part of the window, under the stones (Salinger 204). While Holden is beginning to realize that the Fuck you signs are everywhere, providing many opportunities for the corruption of ones innocence. It is apparent this is symbolically showing that nothing can stop the process of losing ones innocence, it is only natural. The fact that this time, the phrase was written in crayon, it is a hint that this was most likely the work of a child. Holden has been working so hard in order to save these children, he didnt consider that unlike him, they are more willing to lose their innocence and accept the fact that it is gone for good. He is finally becoming aware of the fact that chi ldren are letting go of their innocence and making that transition into adulthood, and he isnt able to control this. At one point, Holden takes Phoebe to a carousel which is symbolic of Holdens new found acceptance towards his loss of innocence and realization that he is not able to save all children from losing their innocence as well. Holden takes Phoebe to a carousel where he encourages her to ride it, without him, Maybe I will next time. Ill watch ya. I went over and sat down on the bench, and she went and got on the carousel (Salinger 211). Holden rejects Phoebes invitation to join her on the carousel, marking Holdens developing maturity. It is becoming noticeable that Holden is slowly starting to show evidence that he is accepting the fact that he knows he has lost his innocence for good. Therefore, he feels it is not necessary to partake in childish activities such as the carousel. He sees Phoebe as the one who is her innocent stage. He has already passed that stage in his life and transition into the adult world, which doesnt include riding on the carousel. Seeing Phoebe reach for the gold ring while on the carousel he begins to realize that he cannot protect children from their growing up, The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but its bad if you say anything to them (Salinger 211). The gold ring is what children would literally reach for once their horse passed under it on the carousel. Symbolically, Holden is accepting that growing up is a part of life, something that cannot be avoided. He is admitting that losing ones innocence is a part of growing up and a child cannot be protected from it forever. He realizes that adults must let children reach for their own gold rings; their dreams, hopes, and wants. Holden is acknowledging that he has to be the adult; he cannot be that child forever. Holden continues to watch Phoebe ride the carousel and is overwhelmed with happiness seeing her enjoy herself in her youth, It was just she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all (Salinger 213). Holden is seeing innocence incarnated, through Phoebe. Phoebes circling on the carousel represents seeing her innocence circling. Holden is accepting his loss of innocence and transitioning into the adult world. Watching Phoebe was almost a moment of truth for him, he realizes that one cannot avoid the loss of sense forever. He knows that eventually Phoebe will have to lose her innocence eventually but she doesnt have to yet. Holden thinks it is nice seeing Phoebe not worrying about her loss of innocence and he accepts the adult world for himself in this moment. Seeing and experiencing Phoebe on the carousel and seeing her in her innocence, Holden knows it is his time to move on, his innocence and innocent stage has come and gone and it will never come back. Learning to accept the loss of ones innocence is and to face the reality of it can be difficult for some. Through Holdens story, Salinger reveals that although it is understandable to try to protect ones innocence, it is only a foolish notion. Even in todays world, some struggle with accepting their loss of innocence. The loss of innocence can be related to taking that first sip of alcohol, or taking that first hit of marijuana. For young girls and boys, losing their virginity is an example of them giving away their innocence in an intimate act. Once some takes a drink, a smoke, or has sex, there is no going back, just like there is one cannot regain their innocence. Although these are examples of ways one can lose their innocence, it is much more complex than this. The losing of innocence marks the gradual change into the adult world where one is unable to access their childhood memories and youth. It is when one becomes an adult and fully matures that one loses his or her innocence . When one learns to accept the loss of innocence, it is then that they mark the turning point in their lives. Innocence is usually associated with ignorance and youth, so by losing this, one is accepting wisdom and adulthood. One is able to transition into the next part of their lives without the extra baggage of trying to retain their childhood. Although yearning for innocence is natural even in some ways perhaps good at some point, everyone has to face the realm of adulthood and venture into it, without the aid of their innocence to accompany them any longer.

Events That Led to the United States Involvement In World War II Essay

Events That Led to the United States Involvement In World War II World War II was a war that proved to the world the awesome power of the United States. Many events led up to the U.S. involvement in the war, topped off by the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. Many great people contributed to leading the United State to victory in the war. They include General Douglas MacArthur, General Dwight Eisenhower, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. World War II also consisted of many major events including Operation Overlord and the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Overall the United States played a major role in World War II and displayed their power through strong generals and their initiative and strong leadership in major events. Before the United States entered WW II, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a series of documents known as the Neutrality Acts. These acts were passed and followed between the years 1935 and 1941 and were used to keep the U.S. out of the war.1 The Neutrality Acts limited weapons sales to countries not involved in the war, gave the U.S. power to keep its citizens off of ships of, or travelling to nations involved in the war, and outlawed loans to countries currently in war and countries who had not paid back previous loans.2 These acts also outlawed American ships to carry weapons to nations in the war. The U.S. believed that if a nation in war knew that a ship had weapons on it, this ship would be a prime target for that country, therefor drawing the U.S. into another war. The Neutrality Acts helped keep the U.S. out of WW II until the bombing of Pearl Harbor, at which point the U.S. helped the British through a "Lend-Lease Program". The Lend-Lease Program allowed the U.S. to give ar ms and... ...e Bomb Pearl Harbor. http://historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/pearl.htm (4 Mar. 2000). "Sequence of Events." "Sequence of Events." "Sequence of Events." World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. World War II: The Encyclopedia of the War Years 1941-1945. "The Atom Bomb." http://www.rnv.u-net.com/ (5 Mar. 2000). "The Atom Bomb."

English Home Reading Project

Todd Bowden is a boy who wants to be a detective when he gets older. He has been doing good in school and in his free time he runs background checks on people he sees. His neighbor Mr. Dussander was one of the people he did this too. He found out that he was using a fake name and was once referred to as the blood fiend of patin the only true thing about his life was that he was very old. When Todd confronts him about it he realizes that this secret is bigger than he thought. Todd soon starts to wonder about why he was called blood fiend so he started to ask some questions about it. When Dussander refuses, Todd black-males him into giving the stories. Todd starting to let his grades drop and when his first high school report card comes home he tries to change his grades with ink remover. He does this several times thought the novella. As the story's get more and more graphic Todd begins to come almost psychopathic. He starts to make Dussander wear these awful Nazi suits and recite saying that he used to say during the war. Dussander starts to have nightmares about the war and find a gruesome way to cope with the stress. Because he used to work in one of the crematoriums, Dussander starts to find stray cats and put them in his kitchen oven. He would soon become worse and â€Å"rescue† dogs from a shelter to burn. ( worst part of book. too many details. ) As Todd grades drop further his guidance counselor try's to set up a meeting between him and his parents. Todd black-males Dussander into pretending that he is his grandfather and proceeds with the meeting without his real parents. Todd is told that if he gets another flunk card that he will have to repeat this grade . One night after having listened too so many of the horrible stories he has a nightmare. These dreams persist for weeks and eventually Todd comes up with a plan to kill dussander. When nightmares continue to get worse Todd stabs a homeless man to death and realizes that murder helps with his stress and the dreams start to go away . he continues to commit murder whenever the dreams get too bad. Dussander starts too do the same as Todd and buries his victims in his basement. towards the end of the story the guidance counselor meets Todd's real grandfather and starts too talk about the meeting they had and when the grandfather dident remember the conversation he puts the pieces together. CLIMAX chapter 17. his is the climax of the story because at this point the entire story changes. Dussander had a heart attack and this leads to new situations that completely change the story. The resolution of this story is that todd bowden is questrioned by the police. After this he goes to a secret spto on the highway. Gets a gun, and goes on a rampage. Only to end in his own death. I t hink this was a great ending to the story. If fit perfect with all the little details that were put into the book. It all fits together at the end. Characterization Todd Bowden: Main character of the book. He is shown as decieving and mean. Througout the novella todd tricks and manipulated people into doing things that could help himself and hurt others. He is important to the story because without him nothing would have happened and it wouldent be a good book. Arthur Denker AKA Mr. Dussander: main character. Shown as a nice man but forceful when need be and his past shows him as a monster. He is important to the story because he feeds all of todds rage to him and is an antagonist to the story. Todds personality chapter 6. this shows Todds evil side and proves just how much of a monster he can be to put an old man throug this rough time again. Todd is not the kind of person I would like to be friends with. He is a lieing kid who is extremly mean. And throughout the book he is seen by his peers as a loser. Conflict One main conflict in this story is when Todds grades start too fall. He constantly changes them to deceive his parents and when he is confronted by his guidance counselor about it he decides to lie about his situation in hopes to fix it. Todd has Dussander go to the school and talk to the counselor instead of his parent to â€Å" sweep the problem under the rug†. This fixes one of his problems but makes life much more difficult in the rest of the story. I can relate to some of todds problems like falling grades sometimes and feeling like your stuck in a place that your know wont lead anywhere good. But as for the rest of his problems like where to bury his victims I cannot say that I have any experience in. Theme one main theme of this novella is deception and black-male can only get you so far, because when the time comes for the truth it will only bring you down. This is shown when todds grandfather meets the counselor and realizes that todd lied to his parents about his grades and the whole situation unfolds.

How Is Suicide A Social Problem - 2687 Words

How is Suicide a Social Problem? Desiree Martin Point University There are several reasons why a person may choose to end their lives. According to the book definition, â€Å"suicide is often carried out as a result of despair, the cause of which is frequently attributed to a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, alcoholism, or drug abuse.† â€Å"Stress factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal relationships often play a role.† All of these reasons of suicide typically occur in the average person’s life in some way, shape, or form. Although the thoughts occur, not every person really makes the attempt in ending their lives. What made suicide the â€Å"10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2009 (Springer, 1613)?† The causes can ultimately arise biologically in the brain, dealing with the hippocampus, as well as psychologically, dealing with mental illnesses, and sociologically, dealing with society, drug abuse, finan cial issues, etc. Many suicide attempters and thinkers are seen as very common amongst those in the military. This is because of the battle trauma and psychological impact that the battles may actually have on these soldiers. Many research articles about militants have written about the events that occur on the battlefield, and how for some veterans, their injuries or visions of battle really had a psychological impact on them.Show MoreRelatedWhy Do People Commit Suicide And How Is It A Social Problem? Essay1546 Words   |  7 PagesWhy do people commit suicide and how is it a social problem? 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