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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page research paper that examines critical sources that explore what critical opinion has revealed about how the theme of innocence functions in the novel. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khticitr.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the 1950s, the novels protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is a sensitive, but rebellious teenager who resists and fears the processes of maturation that are quickly taking him into the adult world
(Hirsch, Kett and Trefil 99). Holden, as in previous coming-of-age novels such as Mark Twains Huckleberry Finn, experiences an initiation over the course of the narrative into the "variety and
viciousness of adult corruption" (Parker 2). This creates an inherent tension in the novel as Holden prefer the "innocence and secrets of childhood to the world" of adults (Parker
4). As this suggests, the theme of innocence provides the foundation on the narrative rests. Alfred Kazin once commented in Atlantic Monthly that Catcher in the Rye, was a work
"so full of Holdens cute speech and cute innocence and cute lovingness for this own family that one must be an absolute monster not to like it" (Salzman 12). The
following examination of critical sources explores what critical opinion has revealed about how the theme of innocence functions in the novel. Readers often wonder if Holden ever succeeds at
this dream of becoming the "catcher in the rye" (Salinger 224). In other words, does Holden become a "savior/defender of the innocent" (Takeuchi "Salingers" 164). Critical opinion has provided
answers both in the affirmative and negative to this question, primarily due to Holden reactions towards Jane (Takeuchi "Salingers" 164). Holden appears to want to have contact with Jane,
but, seems to have trouble initiating such contact. For example, when his roommate Stradlater is getting ready for a date with Jane, Holden mentions several times that he should go
down as speak to Jane, but he never does (Takeuchi "Salingers" 164). This seems odd when considering his ambition to the be catcher in the rye, since "critics agree"
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