The author utilized the literary device, motif, so we could understand the antagonist more and also to contribute to the theme. The motif i chose was the idea that Holden wants to hold on to his childhood and immaturity. J.D Salinger uses symbols such as a red hat, a lagoon, a museum display, his relationship with his sister, and the idea of the "catcher and the rye" to more distinguish the main motif. All of these examples have a deeper meaning that let us related more to Holdens situation of wanting his life to be unchanging and simple as if he was still a child.
They also help delineate the theme of becoming of age, the troubles and pain of departing from your childhood and arriving into adulthood. Holdens desperate attempts to stay child like are hidden meanings within the symbols the author used but are ironic because he acts the opposite, such as drinking and swearing, which is linked to being an adult. No matter what you will eventually grow up and what he is going through is all part of the process
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about the red hunting hat being a motif for his immaturity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the motifs and the theme. If you have to just pick one motif though, I would choose the red hunting hat because I think it symbolizes how immature Holden is.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point of view. I didn't quite think about how he wants to hold onto his childhood.
ReplyDelete