The Catcher in the Rye ch.13-19

Holden's criticism of 1940's culture

-Hates the idea of materialism in the 1940's, for instance, having to get educated to become rich and buy nice things (like a car) and much rather have affection for something that is real like nature and people. Holden also hates the idea of conformity and how people act "phony" to be the same. He explains how all the boys in his school had to act like they were sad when they lost a football game, etc. even if it wasn't their true feelings. He also talks about the want to escape the 1940's culture so he can live in the woods isolated, with his own way of living.

Theme of isolation

-Holden believes everyone is phony -called up sally although he doesn't really like her, and ended up angering her anyways -Calls up Carl Luce because he feels like he could have a good convo with him, but Carl ends up leaving him and not wanting to hang around him anymore. Analysis: Holden is constantly pushing others away, with and without intending to do so. He continues to believe everyone is fake or "phony", and disagrees with their 1940's beliefs and values causing others to dislike him. He also removes himself from social events when he believes people are "phony".

Theme: Innocence

-Holden doesn't want to have sex with sunny for one because he isn't yet ready to lose his own innocence, but also views Sunny as a young girl based on her nervousness and wants to help protect her innocence although it has already been corrupted. -He believes he can save Jane from being fully corrupted by looking out for her. Analysis: Holden is still in denial of letting go of his own innocence, as well allowing other young girls innocence to be corrupted by not only him, and others as well.

Theme: Sex and Sexuality

-Holden hires a prostitute, but then decides he doesn't want to have sex with her -Refers to himself as a sex maniac, and "horny" Analysis:Holden's indecisiveness indicates his refusal to grow up and face reality. He is in the middle of two worlds, where he knows the difference between the two worlds but does not understand his role in either one. (Does he preserve or loose his last bit of innocence)?

Theme of madness

-Holden impulsively decides he wants to leave New York and drive up north -Holden continuously hints at his depression and that he wants to kill himself -Holden often gets frustrated with others and often says things to cause others to dislike him (called Sally a PIA). Analysis: Holden's thoughts provide insight into his looming emotional breakdown. His mental instability is shown through his mood swings and thoughts of suicide.

Holden's nostalgia

-Museum: Holden loves the museum of natural history for how static and stationary it is. The museum embodies the world Holden wishes he lives in, a place where everything is frozen and infinite, because he is terrified by unpredictability and change. -Jane: change that seems extremely daunting to Holden throughout the novel, is the loss of innocence that occurs as children journey into adolescence, and finally adulthood. -Allies glove:Holden misses his brother and depends on the glove as a tangible symbol of the memories he has of him. The glove is the piece of Allie that he carries around; it symbolizes his brother and brings about feelings of love and nostalgia.

Is Holden mentally ill?

Based on these chapters, it does seem like Holden is struggling with mental illness and is danger of hurting himself. It seems like Holden is struggling with mental illness because he keeps on being let down mentally, where he says multiple times that certain things make him feel depressed. He thinks of crazy ideas such as running away in the woods with sally as well. He seems like he is in danger of hurting himself because it seems like he doesn't care about himself, physically. He also wishes to commit suicide and repeats this idea throughout the text.

Why is Holden an unreliable narrator?

Holden has many contradictions throughout the chapters which shows he really cant make up his mind about things. He may tell the reader one thing, but contradict that statement another time. Since he does this, we don't really know whether or not something is true when he says it. He also is mentally ill which can alter his perception on things, causing him to have a different outlook on situations compared to a mentally stable person.

Symbolism: Jane Gallagher

Jane Gallagher represents a young girl who recently lost her innocence to Stradlater. But, unlike Sunny, Holden believes Jane has a chance of not fully becoming corrupted because Holden believes he can save her by helping preserve her remaining innocence.

Symbolism: Sunny

Sunny symbolizes the loss of innocence. Being a prostitute, Sunny already has experienced the loss of innocence, but when Holden sees Sunny, he realizes he isn't ready to let go of the certain innocence he has left.

Symbolism: Museum of Natural History

The museum of Natural history is like a physical representation of Holden's inner feelings about growing up and his life passing. The museum is filled with a bunch of still life exhibits that show how things never changed, even through the passing of time. It shows his nostalgia. It reminds him of his happy childhood which he wishes never went away.

what shows Holden could possibly be an reliable narrator?

What makes Holden somewhat of a reliable narrator is when he implicitly admits to being mentally unstable, and his perspective and ideals being flawed. He does this through the conversations of characters who oppose and contradict his ideals because they chose to conform to society. He expresses Sally's opinions and perspective on society and how it opposes him; his conversation with Luce, a character who grew up successful because he chose to conform, also suggests his mental instability because he [Luce] represents the average male role of the 1940's in which Holden desperately neglects to commit himself to. By expressing and thoroughly explaining these conversations, it is as though Holden is acknowledging his own flaws, making him a reliable narrator.

Review plots of chapters

presentation

Holden's contradictions

sex: -claims he is a sec maniac but still hasn't lost his viriginity, and didn't take the opportunity with Sunny Morality-says he must follow his principles yet he hired a prostitute god- claims he is an atheist but prays before bed masculinity- believes boys should be tough but is scared to fight Maurice back relationships-withdrawals himself from others, but when alone feels lonely and depressed.