Catcher in the Rye Essay: Powerless Holden :: Catcher Rye Essays

ineffective Holden   In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the mankind as an evil and obscure place where there is no peace. This perception of the world does not variegate signifi beartly through the myth. However, as the novel progresses, Holden gradually comes to the realization that he is powerless to change this. During the short period of Holdens life covered in this book, "Holden does succeed in making us perceive that the world is doddering1. Shortly after Holden leaves Pencey Prep, he checks in to the Edmont Hotel. This is where Holdens turmoil begins. Holden spends the following evening in this hotel which was "full of perverts and morons. There were screwballs all over the place."2. His situation only deteriorates from this point, as the more he looks around the world, the more depressing life seems. more or less e really corner Holden sees evil. He looks out on a world which appears completely immoral and unscrupulous. The three days th at the novel covers place a distressed Holden in the vicinity of Manhattan. The city is decked with decorations and holiday splendor, yet, much to Holdens hopelessness "seldom yields any occasions of peace, charity or even echt merriment."3. Holden is surrounded by what he views as drunks, perverts, morons and screwballs. These convictions that Holden hold waver very momentarily during one particular scene in the book. The scene is with Mr. Antolini. by and by Mr. Antolini patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping, Holden jumped up and ran out persuasion that Mr. Antolini was a pervert as well. This is the only time during the novel where Holden thinks doubly about considering someone a pervert. After reviewing Mr. Antolini, Holden finally concludes that maybe he was not making a "flitty" pass at him. He wonders if he just like patting guys heads as they sleep. This is the only time in the novel where Holden actually considers a positive side to something. However, this event does not equal a significant change. As Holden himself says, "Its not too bad when the suns out, entirely the sun only comes out when it feels like coming out."4. The sun, of course, is a computer address to decency through the common association of light and goodness. His perception of the world ashes the same. The one conviction that does change during the novel is Holdens belief that he can change the world.