The Catcher in the Rye Group

Question:

blueberryboss
blueberryboss
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In Catcher in the Rye, Holden writes about the egyptian mummies in his history paper.  What does that tell you about him?

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Posted by blueberryboss on Sunday February 8, 2009 at 6:49 AM and tagged with characters, holden, the catcher in the rye.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Holden's fascination with the Egyptian mummies suggests that he is curious about death.  In his paper he wrote:

    "Modern science would still like to know what the secret ingredients were that Egyptians used when they wrapped up dead people so that their faces would not rot for innumerable centuries." (Salinger)

    Holden is still dealing with the death of his brother, Allie, three years ago in the novel.  His thoughts go to death several times in the story.  He considers his own death, he talks about the death of a school mate, James Castle, when he attended Elkton Hills.  Castle jumped out the window, committing suicide wearing a sweater that he borrowed from Holden.

    Holden considers both life and death in this novel, as he realizes that he has no choice but to grow up, can't stop the process, he considers the ramifications of death.  

     

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/catcher/chapter-2-summary-analysis

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday February 8, 2009 at 9:13 AM