The Catcher in the Rye Group
Question:
rhss111
Student
High School - 11th Grade
How does the pain experienced by Holden (Physical pain, emotional pain), contribute to his maturity process in "The Catcher in the Rye"?
Answers:
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jeff-hauge Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by jeff-hauge on Monday May 12, 2008 at 9:20 AMHolden says he hates movies for being phony. Yet he seems to base all of his responses to life off the cues he receives from movies. He uses these stock characters as role models to rebel against instead of his parents.
When he is punched in the stomach or has his face bloodied, he responds in a way that is reminiscent of the most cliche movie scenes. He rants about moving away to a cabin by the woods and creates scenes of emotional pain for his family as he coolly smokes a cigarette. By exploring and then rejecting these inadequate role models he does respond with authentic emotion. This can be seen in his tears in the final scenes with Phoebe.