Pessimistic Nature Of Holden Caulfield In The Catcher In...

Holden Caulfield is an interesting narrator and character of the novel The Catcher in the Rye. Unlike many narrators, he doesn’t seem one-dimensional and possessing only one trait. Many times throughout the novel, Holden’s actions and thoughts tend to conflict with each other, whether that be positive or negative. Therefore, this idea of his more complex nature gives readers differing perspectives of the character and their general preference or distaste of Holden. Regardless of his pessimistic viewpoint of the people around him and his surroundings, I predominately like Holden, specifically for how relatable he is to me and his genuinely caring nature towards certain people. Unfortunately, no person is perfect, and the pessimistic nature†¦show more content†¦As well as this, Holden has a deep desire for the world and the people that inhabit it to slow down. This is evident in the situation Holden finds himself in when looking at the Museum of Natural History, and after describing the fascinating aspects of the museum, he notes that, â€Å"The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was† (157). To conclude, Holden has wishes that are common to many people worldwide, therefore making him a relatable character. To add to the positive side of Holden, he does have a capability of caring for other people. Firstly, Holden has a deep love for children and preserving their innocence, to the point that he tells his little sister Phoebe, â€Å"What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff†¦I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be† (224, 225). He wishes to keep children from falling off the cliff of innocence into the real world, and he even does this in a small way by rubbing off a profane message on a wall of the school Phoebe attends. As well as children, Holden has a deep affection for his fellow family members. Throughout theShow MoreRelatedCriticism Of Salinger s The Rye1382 Words   |  6 PagesCRITICISM Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye has been into continuous dispute and controversy since its publication in 1951. Some critics think that Salinger s narrative of the human plight is engrossing and enlightening, yet incredibly depressing. The leading character, Holden Caulfield, serves as the basis for critical discussion due to his psychological conflict. Salinger s portrayal of Holden, which encloses incidents of dejection, nervous breakdown, impulsive spending, sexual exploration, andRead MoreCatcher in the Rye984 Words   |  4 PagesENG 4U1 June 12, 2012 Catcher In The Rye Essay A role model can be can classified as one of many things, but what is it exactly that distinguishes a good one from a bad? 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