Innocence of Youth Essay

In The Catcher in the rye, J.D. Salinger introduces how an adolescent son develops a cynical awaylook on life, causing him to feel isolated. Salinger uses Holden to supply tilt from the innocence of youth to the responsibilities of adulthood. Holdens bewilderment represents that difficult change a person experiences while growing up. He is trying to discover his place in the homo, but certain obstacles are preventing him from moving forward. The passageway to redemption is difficult for him because he doesnt want to accept the responsibilities of cosmos an adult.The novel shows that by dint of adolescence a person faces many a(prenominal) new changes that give notice be difficult to accept. Holden wants the preserve the innocence that a person has as a child. His cynical views of the world develop through his experience with the decadence of the adolescent world. Certain things, they should stay the same. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass case s and just leave them alone, I lie with thats impossible but its too bad anyway.(Salinger 122) Salinger points out that, changes are not always positive and it would be easier if we could preserve some things. Holden doesnt want to face the reality of adulthood because he hasnt experienced many events that show the positive side of being an adult.Holdens expect for clean values is a difficult and lonely course of instruction because of his minimal success of finding them. Holden speaks of his loneliness and depression the grade of a few days in his life indicates how sad and lonely his seek for moral values is in which he finds them to be sorely lacking.(Walters 3) The search for innocence and moral is very much times very lonely callable to the constant heinous events that occur. Characters like Holden want to realize a remediate life that is away from the corruption of civilization. (Walters 3) Throughout his life, Holden experienced many events that show the corruption of adults and teens. He believes that as a person grows up, they fall into a pit of evil and cruelty. He dreams of becoming the catcher in the rye and saving children from falling into the tainted world of adults. Salinger interprets children as pure and throw overboard of sins. Purity is often associated with kids as they rich person not experienced the covetousness and desires of adults.The thing Holden holds closest to him is the memory of his unique brother Allie. The qualities Allie possesses are passing unique among even kids, which is why Holden is so mesmerized with him. He was not able to experience the adolescence of Allie, which could have contributed to his coercion with innocence. Holdens fantasy elaborates his obsession with innocence and his perhaps surprisingly traditional moral code.(Walters 3) Holdens moral code is different because he is often rude, lies to people and even pursues familiar intercourse. Although his moral code is different, he still has the right intentions. His lies are often to make people feel better and his rude attitude is a result of his distaste for immorality. Holden is confused and doesnt know how to face the world or the people in it.The time period and environment in the novel are aspects that could have contributed to the mental cloudiness. Holdens experienced this confusion during a time of tension in the United States. The post World war II time period could have had negative effects on Holden through conformism and dramatic changes occurrence in the U.S. Holden experiences both the confusion of adolescence and spiritual discomfort of an entire age.(Historical 6) Holden experiences events in natural York City, a metropolis of demoralization, crime and crookedness. His cynical perception of the cruel world could have been modified to the setting of the novel. Prep take and public schools are both socially and economically different than public schools. (Historical 8) His time at school could have in fluenced his emotion due to the elevated expectations of prep schools. There are many aspects of Holdens life that could have contributed to his confusion and hatred.Confusion is a putting green emotion during the adolescent stage of a person life. Holdens confusion is a result of his inability to truly connect with anyone because of his cynical views. He has a feeling of hopelessness for the world around him because of his distaste for adulthood. Holden tells the story of his disenchantment with his life and the direction it is taking.(Walters 2) The realization that he will be entering adulthood evntually depresses him. He wants to retreat backward into the world he is leaving, that of childhood innocence. (Vanderbilt 298) Holden wears a red hat is symbolic of his position in life and the direction it is taking.Wearing it backwards suggests not only his resistant withdrawal from teammates but his desire to go back to his youth. (Vanderbilt 297). Holden finally decides he needs t o move on in life after confluence with his sister Phoebe. The innocence of his younger sister allows him to truly find what he is looking for. Through his sister, he finds hope for the world around him. It is through the innocence of Phoebe, at the end, that Holden initially moves toward his redemption. (Vanderbilt 299) Holdens cloudy stage of confusion eventually starts to clear up. His realization that his actions affect that people he cares about allows him to seek redemption. He states that he will start applying himself in school and has a better outlook on life.Work Cited Pageliterary and Historical Context. The Catcher in the Rye Innocence Under Pressure. Sanford Pinsker. New York Twayne Publishers, 1993. 1. Twaynes Masterwork Studies 114. Gale Virtual refer Library. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.Salinger, J D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston Little, Brown, 1951. Print.Vanderbilt, Kermit. Symbolic Resolution In The Catcher In The Rye The Cap, The Carrousel, And The American West. Critic al Insights The Catcher In The Rye (2011) 297-305. Literary refer Center. Web. 22 Feb. 2013.Walters, Gordon. The Catcher In The Rye. Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010) 1-2. Literary Reference Center. Web. 22 Feb. 2013.