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

Powerless Holden   In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the world as an evil and corrupt put in where there is no peace. This perception of the world does not diversify significantly through the unexampled. 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 crazy1. Shortly after Holden leaves Pencey Prep, he checks in to the Edmont Hotel. This is where Holdens turmoil begins. Holden spends the following counterbalanceing 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 than he looks around the world, the more depressing life seems. Around every 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 despair "seldom yields any occasions of peace, charity or even genuine 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. aft(prenominal) Mr. Antolini patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping, Holden jumped up and ran out thinking that Mr. Antolini was a pervert as well. This is the only time during the novel where Holden thinks twice about(predicate) 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 same 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 constitute a significant change. As Holden himself says, "Its not too bad when the suns out, but the sun only comes out when it feels like coming out."4. The sun, of course, is a reference to decency through the common association of debile and goodness. His perception of the world remains the same. The one conviction that does change during the novel is Holdens belief that he can change the world.