This document outlines an argument essay analyzing whether Holden is the "catcher in the rye" based on his behavior toward Jane. It begins by defining the role of the catcher as someone who saves and protects innocent children from falling. It then analyzes Holden's reluctance to have direct contact with Jane and compares it to situations where he refuses to disturb pristine objects like snow or exhibits in a museum by touching them. Finally, it discusses how Mr. Antolini sees himself as trying to catch Holden right before his fall, but this breaks Holden's rule of not disturbing the innocent through contact.
2. Is Holden the
catcher in the
rye? Answer lies
in his behavior
with Jane.
Definition &
job of catcher
in the rye
Behavior
toward
Jane
Mr. Antolini:
a wannabe
catcher in
the rye
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3. Definition &
job of catcher
in the rye
a savior/
defender of
the innocent
to "catch
~~prevent the fall of~~
children the innocent
Zen-like
paradox
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4. Zen-like
paradox
To catch is
not to catch Buddy Glass
Salingeresque
character in
Seymour,
alludes to CIR
Quotation:
"aiming but no[t]
aiming"
Sherwood
Anderson's short
story "Hands"
Plot: problematic
physical contact of
teacher and student
Hands also
connect to
touching and
catching
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5. Is Holden the
catcher in the
rye? Answer lies
in his behavior
with Jane.
Definition &
job of catcher
in the rye
Behavior
toward
Jane
Mr. Antolini:
a wannabe
catcher in
the rye
7. Importance
of Jane
Super close two
summers ago
Date with
Stradlater
On verge of
losing
innocence
Quotation:
"a very sexy
bastard
According to
most critics
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9. Avoids direct
contact with
Jane
Jane outside
Holden's dorm;
talks about it
but doesnt go
out to see her
Quotation:
"I oughta go down and
say hello to her" "Why
the hell don'tcha,
instead of keep saying
it?
Constantly
wants to give
Jane a call, but
never does
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12. Reluctance to
throw a snowball
Quotation: The snow
was very gooddidn't
throw it at anything.
Too nice = pristine
state undisturbed by
any contact
Car Fire
hydrant
Jane
Throwing snowball
= disturbs by
contact = call or see
Jane (contact her)
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14. Museum of
Natural History
Favorite place
of Holden's
Rule to not touch
Quotation:
Another thing
cop or anything.
Critics: symbol =
to arrest the
effects of time
NOT TOUCHING:
guards, glass cases =
the way it preserves.
Key!
Quotation:
certain things...
leave them alone.
"certain things" =
things/people that
are too nice =
the innocent
To protect,
you must
not touch
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16. Phoebe (and
other kids)
on carousel
Worries they might
fall but doesnt act
Quotation:
"If they fall off,
they fall off, but
it's bad if you say
anything to them"
So they have
to fall?!
Catching (savior
behavior) = not
catching = not
being caught =
falling (salvation)
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17. Is Holden the
catcher in the
rye? Answer lies
in his behavior
with Jane.
Definition &
job of catcher
in the rye
Behavior
toward
Jane
Mr. Antolini:
a wannabe
catcher in
the rye
18. Mr. Antolini:
a wannabe
catcher in
the rye
Mr. Antolini:
Holden is
about to fall
off cliff
Quotation:
"This fall I think you're
riding for--it's a
special kind of fall, a
horrible kind"
Antolini breaks zen-
like rule and touches
Holden disturbs by
contact
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