Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

Topic: In the Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, Holden continually and progressively shows his good moral character with parallels and symbolic reference to Christ, developing the theme of holding on to one's beliefs through much adversity.

This essay did well because it contained numerous examples and discussed a topic often ignored.

A character's moral nuances tend not to affect the structure of a novel. Whether the character is good or bad, the end will still prove the underlying theme and intent of the author. In the narration of only a few days time, Salinger has laid out the entire philosophy and belief system of his main character; a character whose thematic purpose is justified in the end but whose moral means have been subject to much argument. In the Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, Holden continually and progressively shows his good moral character with parallels and symbolic reference to Christ, developing the theme of holding on to one's beliefs through much adversity.

Holden

Holden, Massachusetts

Holden

Holden demonstrates his religious tendencies from the beginning of the novel. When questioning the merit of lawyers, Holden testifies to ideals Jesus stressed to his disciples. "Even if you did go around saving guy's lives and all, how would you know if you did it because you really wanted to save guys' lives, or because what you really wanted to do was become a terrific lawyer, with everybody slapping your back and congratulating you in court when the goddam trial was over" (172). Holden is showing his concern for human nature as to be modest and pure in their goals like Jesus. Holden does not make the expected sexual advances towards Sunny the prostitute. Instead he sums up the dire emptiness of her life situation...