From the first 6 chapters of Catcher in the Rye, I can tell that this should be a very interesting book. I appreciate how straight forward it is, and the teenager language is one that I can understand easily, as if someone were talking to me. Unfortunately, the rough teen dialect comes with an excess of foul language, which I hear in the house from my relatives on more than one occasion (don't tell my mother I said that). I can, however, get over the frequent "goddam"s and whatnot.
Uniqueness is becoming a very important theme in the book, mostly because of the extreme lack of it. Holden is surrounded by an extreme about of unintelligent jocks (from what I have observed) and seems to not be too upset about flunking out. We can easily blame part of these stone feelings on the fact that he was expecting the grades he got, but I also believe that he strives to just get out of Pencey Prep, like any sensible young man would. Though he may not have realized his true intentions yet, I can tell that inside he wants to go off into a world that does not have boundaries made of dorm room walls or campus sidewalks. His head doesn't know what to think, but his heart is pulling him towards "the Jungle" of mystery, where he can find himself, his individuality. Being unique is standing aside from others, being able to say why you can be observed as an individual.
This quality of individuality seems to fade in the adult world. Not disappear completely, just fade. One could argue that people going off and finding careers of their own is an example of a person finding a job that fits them individually. However, in our economy, choices are often reduced, and people are pushed into living a life that doesn't quite match their personality. I have noticed that Holden has the opportunity, because he is not an adult quite yet, to find both individuality AND adulthood. His case probably does not apply to many people his age, because he is forced to grow up in a matter of three days, or however long this book lasts. I do believe, however, that teenagers have the opportunity to build character in their journey to adulthood, whether they take that opportunity or not.
I would say that my favorite person (that I know) would be my best friend, Sarah. She is always fun to be around, no matter what kind of crazy mood we are in. She is my most loyal friend and is simply there to catch me when I fall (figuratively, of course). She is open to my slightly insane ideas and sometimes accepts them. For example, she has taken my love for opera and Korean pop music and made it her own. Overall, I am thankful to have a person like her around, and I couldn't ask for a better friend.
Holden's relationship with his little brother was one that touched my heart. They were loyal and always picked out the best in each other. Even after Allie was gone, Holden remembered him for the great little boy he once was. Allie was always able to make Holden laugh, just as Sarah can send me into a giggle fit with just one facial expression. The only thing keeping Sarah and I from having as strong a friendship as Holden does with Allie is the fact that we aren't family members and neither one of us is passed away. We do, however, trust each other the way that the brothers did. I can only hope that Sarah and I have as strong a friendship as we do now later on in our life, when we eventually part ways.
That's all for this week,
Sayonara!
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