Examples Of Change In Catcher In The Rye

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Change is inevitable. Change happens all around us. Change happens even when we don’t want it to. Transitioning from the innocence of childhood into the confusion, face-paced and phony world of adulthood is the most scary and inevitable change. “The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody'd move. The novel The Catcher and the Rye captures that very confusion of a teenager who is struggling to grow up and transition into adulthood. Holden at first glance appears to struggle with the same issues as the typical teenager. These struggles are academic, social and emotional issues that drives the teenagers mind. Holden struggles in school as every other teenager. Holden struggles with appropriate language. The typical girl issues also…show more content…
During the transition into adult, a sense of belonging takes over a person’s mind. For Holden the ducks are a symbol of wanting to know where he belongs and where he is headed. Holden's connection with the ducks in the lagoon is a symbol of his life. Where the ducks will go when the lake freezes is a constant concern for Holden: "I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they just flew away." (pg. 13) Holden is questioning where life will take him just like the ducks. Holden kisses Jane when she is upset, which shows he is beginning to understand empathy and the way to react in a sexual relationships. These reactions give insight that Holden is beginning to mature in a way that he does not see yet. Holden cannot properly make decisions or take advice. During a visit with Mr. Spencer, Holden is told that ‘life is a game that one plays by the rules’. Mr. Spencer’s is trying to explain to Holden to accept the world and the effects his decisions have on
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