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About this sample
About this sample
Words: 822 |
Pages: 2|
5 min read
Updated: 16 November, 2024
Words: 822|Pages: 2|5 min read
Updated: 16 November, 2024
J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, a banned book in most American high schools and libraries, takes place in the late 1940s and teaches readers about teen angst and alienation. Salinger skillfully transforms difficult situations into meaningful resolutions. In this piece of literature, the relationship between Phoebe Caulfield and the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is the most recognized and genuine. Phoebe is the most important secondary character because she conveys the theme of preserving innocence, which helps Holden realize his desire to become the “catcher in the rye”—saving young, innocent children from the harshness of adulthood.
Although protecting children's innocence is ultimately impossible, it serves as a vital part of adolescents learning to let go as they inch closer to maturity. By the end of the novel, Holden allows Phoebe to take a chance in life, even though she might get hurt. This is exemplified when Holden observes, “All the kids kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old Phoebe, and [he] was sort of afraid she’d fall off the goddam horse, but [he] didn’t say anything or do anything. The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything to them. If they fall off, they fall off, but it’s bad if you say anything to them” (Salinger, 1951, pp. 273-274). This moment signifies Holden's realization that children, including Phoebe, must be allowed to live their own lives, take risks, and transition out of childhood. He finally acknowledges that taking risks is essential for growth and maturity, and adults must allow this process to unfold naturally.
When Phoebe rides the carousel, Holden experiences an epiphany. He understands that there are times when kids want to try to grab the gold ring, symbolically taking a chance in life, and he must grant her the freedom to do so, even though she may fall. This realization marks a significant step in Holden's personal growth. The relationship between Holden and Phoebe is depicted as healthy and normal for caring siblings. It is dynamic, reflecting the natural ebb and flow of life. Holden may regret the inevitability of change, but he demonstrates maturity by accepting that Phoebe cannot remain 10 years old forever.
The gold ring that Phoebe reaches for serves as a metaphor for maturity. As children, reaching for the monkey bars seems impossible, but with age, we grow closer to grasping them, much like our journey toward maturity. This imagery reflects Holden’s internal struggle with allowing Phoebe to grow up. He realizes that he, too, must mature and move past the death of his brother Allie. The carousel itself symbolizes life’s cyclical nature, with its ups and downs mirroring the responsibilities that come with growing up. This is a realization Holden comes to accept.
The sight of Phoebe on the carousel represents a profound moment of clarity for Holden. It is a moment he wishes to preserve forever, as the carousel moves but never actually goes anywhere. Holden finds joy in watching Phoebe ride, despite his initial resistance to the idea of growing up. As Phoebe threatens to abandon the ride, symbolizing her own potential 'fall' from innocence, Holden saves her by encouraging her to continue. This allows her to remain a child for just a little longer. As the children reach for the gold ring, Holden acknowledges, "If they fall off they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them," accepting that they must "fall" out of childhood (Salinger, 1951). This insight marks a pivotal change in Holden’s character: he recognizes that growing up is a natural and necessary part of life. "I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don't know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could've been there" (Salinger, 1951, p. 275). This moment encapsulates Holden’s acceptance of change and the beauty of life’s cycles.
References
Salinger, J.D. (1951). The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company.
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