Violence in the Catcher in the Rye Essay - 908 Words

Violence in the Catcher in the Rye nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Often, simple physical conflicts are used to develop characters and to increase the suspense and action between them. In J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield the 16-year-old narrator and protagonist claims to be a pacifist. Holden views the world as an evil and corrupt place where there is no peace. As a sincere person living amongst phonies, he views others as completely immoral and unscrupulous. In the novel violence is used to further develop Holdens character. This is shown through his physical conflict with Stradlater, his conflict with Maurice, and the suicide of James Castle. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; In his conflict with Stradlater,†¦show more content†¦He was unscrupulous.;(Salinger 40) Holden acknowledges Janes purity and wishes not to have to think otherwise with Stradlater. Holden feels the responsibility to defend the pure and the innocent. Besides his conflict with Stradlater, he is also involved in a physical battle with Maurice. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Holdens conflict with Maurice demonstrates his sincerity and his hatred in the evilness of the phony. Primarily, Holden is vigorously pushed to protect himself from Maurice. Holden arranges to spend time with Sunny a prostitute, and later is forced to pay double the agreed amount by Maurice, the hotel elevator operator. Maurice demands, Want your parents to know you spent the night with a whore? High-class kid like you? He was pretty sharp, in his crumby way. He really was. Leave me alone. If youd said ten, itd be different. But you distinctly.;(Salinger 102) Holden is struggling to secure himself, by attempting to end the fight. Secondly, the evilness of the phony is shown during his conflict with Maurice. Holden cries, All of a sudden I started to cry. Id give anything if I hadnt, but I did. No, youre no crooks, I said. Youre just steeling five Shut up, old Maurice said and gave me a shove.;(Salinger 103) The evil scenery causes Holden to, uncontrollably b reak down in tears. Holdens hatred of the phony is grown, as well as the protecting of the innocence. In addition to his physical conflicts withShow MoreRelatedThe Catcher Of The Rye By William Shakespeare And Mark Twain1732 Words   |  7 PagesFree†). Many people feel that J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher In The Rye is dangerous because it contains vulgarity, violence, and sexual content (Chandler). Although The Catcher in the Rye was put on the banned book list shortly after its first publication in 1951, it is a fascinating and enlightening classic that everyone should have the opportunity to read. 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