Holden's Depressing Finish
I was left feeling like the story was unresolved. The focus is so intensely on describing Holden’s feelings which are only beginning to change at the end of the story. Our society is enamored with coming-of-age stories because they provide hope. We can relate to the characters as misfits and as they grow, we’re able to aspire to be them, restoring our faith in coming-of-age. The Catcher in the Rye does not offer this experience to us. Being able to relate to a character is invaluable and Holden acts as this character for many. However, a particularly powerful narrative is one where that relatable character makes it out the other side, something we don’t have the chance to see Holden do fully. I think this fact changes the effectiveness of his story. I won’t deny that The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age narrative. It details Holden’s own feelings of distaste of coming-of-age in general that I believe many are able to relate to. That relatability of a character struggling with ...