Nicholas Hayward Mr. Delamarter AP English Catcher in the Rye 3-18-10 A Bildungsroman? J.D.

Salingers The Catcher in the Rye centers on a troubled yet relatable teenager on his struggling journey through adolescence. Holden Caulfield, a rebellious sixteen year-old, has received notice that he is being expelled from Pencey. After being expelled from Pencey and getting in an argument with his roommate he decides to head home to New York. He does not tell his parents he has been expelled, and instead stays in the city for a few days before his parents receive notice of his expulsion. The authors use of tone, characterization and point of view develops and aids in revealing the changes in Holden Caulfields search for self-identity and inner conflict with accepting maturity. Caulfields tone reveals his personality but also a resistance to adolescence. His sarcastic tone is first noticed when his friend comes into the room, while he is trying to read and continuously interrupts his reading, extremely annoyed Caulfield says, This sentence Im reading is terrific. I can be quite sarcastic when Im in the mood (20). The tone immediately hints to his personality and foreshadows his sarcastic tone and sense of humor. Also how easily annoyed he is by others and rather than deal with them, chooses to seclude himself. He further reveals his personality saying, Its really too bad that so much crumby stuff is a lot of fun sometimes (63). Caulfield is brutally honest, and says things how they are without adding a biased opinion. This can sometimes be a strong or weak suit to his character, and is demonstrated

later in the novel. However his tone about sex reveals a resistance towards adulthood saying, Sex is something I really don't understand too hot. You never know where the hell you are. (62). He never directly says he is afraid of adulthood, but his tone reveals his insecurity and confusion about the adult world. He is afraid of growing old, but ultimately is afraid of the unknown, things he doesnt understand. His understanding of the adult world changes slightly throughout his journey, and can be seen easier through his thoughts and actions. The authors characterization of Caulfield reveals a deeper understanding of his selfidentity and personality; showing how he grows as a person through his experiences, but is still resistant to maturity. At the beginning of the novel his choices reveal laziness, for example his constant need to lie saying, I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful. If Im on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I'm going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the opera. It's terrible. (16). Most of the time he lies simply to avoid conversation with others or he will arbitrarily lie. This explains a lot about his selfhood; his arbitrary lying reflects his laziness and narcissistic nature. Another example is when he runs into the mother of a classmate he doesnt particularly like, yet lies to her saying how great and well respected he is at Pencey (89). A deeper understanding of Caulfields urge to lie reveals alternative reasoning. There is a clear reason behind him lying to her; he lies to make her feel good about her son. Its a good lie. However a different perception is revealed later when he is talking to Phoebe about his cynicism on life and is caught between the his questioning, replying Yes I do. Yes I do. Sure I do. Dont say that. Why the hell do you say that? (168). He is constantly negative towards things and when asked why by Phoebe, cannot give a clear reason for it. Instead of admitting to his negative attitude towards life, he dismisses this truth and

chooses to ignore it. The authors characterization of Caulfield reveals a deeper understanding of his self-identity and as a result its easier to distinguish his growth through his point of view. Caulfields growth is highlighted through the change in his point of view throughout the novel. After receiving notice of his expulsion he goes to visit his professor Mr. Spencer, silently disagreeing with Mr. Spencers lecture on playing by the rules saying, Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it. Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then its a game, all right I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there arent any hotshots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game (8). He reveals his silent cynicism for adults, which is clear by his silent curses hidden beneath his nodding and well-mannered response. Also he feels that he is on the other side of the game and feels alienated by the real world. His cynicism on the adult world is further revealed, when he talks to Luce about women saying, I know its supposed to be physical and spiritual, and artistic and all. But what I mean is, you cant do it with everybody-every girl you neck with and alland make it come out that way. Can you? (147). Caulfield is curious about the adult world, and has many questions about women and what makes a relationship work. So much so that he makes Luce uncomfortably resulting in his departure, leaving Caulfield in confusion, curiosity, with many unanswered questions. His perception of the adult world is further developed when he talks with his sister Phoebe, revealing a clear and conclusive self-image of Caulfield. He shares his view of the catcher and the rye saying, . . . Im standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliffI mean if theyre running and they dont look where theyre going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. Thats all Id do all day. Id just be the catcher in the rye and all. (173). Caulfield believes that he is the

catcher in the rye and wishes to catch everybody who is corrupt. Refusing to accept the real world he lives in his idealistic world, where his role is to protect those who are innocent. Rather than accepting the world with all its corruptions, he chooses to reject the superficial adult world and wishes to live in his childish, simple, and honest world. Caulfield admits his perspective of the world is somewhat crazy, but he cant imagine it any other way (174). His fantasy of being the catcher in the rye reflects his innocence and desire to avoid maturity. The Catcher in the Rye is a very unique and original story, and is difficult to categorize as bildungsroman. The authors use of tone, characterization and point of view develops and highlight Caulfields growth and refusal of maturity. Although Caulfield gains an understanding of the adult world, he rejects it and chooses to keep his innocence. His negativity and cynicism on life is used to remove himself from the world. Instead of choosing to mature and accept reality, he chooses to retain his nave view of the world. Holden Caulfield is truly one-of-a-kind and his decision to reject maturity, and retain his innocence is a desire everyone can relate to.

Works Cited Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1991. Print.