Relationships In Catcher In The Rye

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Once stated, in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, only ten years after declaring independence, “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” On July 1, 1776, convened within the Philadelphia State Home, fifty-six political representatives sat down to officially sign what would declare both the creation of a new country and the independence from Great Britain. For over 150 years, the English settlers had been living in an environment foreign to the British Empire. Since arriving in the new world, the, now, American colonists had intervened in the life of Native Americans, developed a revolutionary government, and began to expand across the,…show more content…
Salinger, expertly shows the complex relationships between the main character, Holden Caulfield, and his peers. Throughout the story, Holden comes across as a disobedient student, whom acts upon his pessimistic views towards society. After getting into a fight with his roommate, Stradlater, Holden, who has already been expelled, decides to leave school and return to his home state of New York. Once arriving at his home, he engages, with his sister, Phoebe, in a moving conversation on school, family and the future: “You did get kicked out,” shouts Phoebe with anger pouring out of her; “If you don’t think that hurts, you are crazy. ’Daddy’ll kill you’” (165)! While on the outside, ‘daddy’ll kill you’ stands as a an exaggerated result of Holden’s actions, in reality, it gives way to understanding the parent’s feelings and fear of their son’s lack of obedience. Staying true to her age, Phoebe exemplifies an anticipated reaction to the shocking news. Given her role in the story, Phoebe stands as an ideal opening to the thoughts and feelings of their unobserved parents. However, Phoebe, evidently resembling the parents, does not understand Holden’s struggle to relate and get along with his classmates, ultimately pressuring him into failing out of
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