Holden Caufield from The Catcher In the Rye :: essays papers

Holden Caufield from The Catcher In the rye A family buttocks be classified as ane of many a(prenominal) things. It can be a group of people living under one roof a group of people of common declination or even a unit of a crime family line like the Mafia (Merriam Webster). But to Holden Caulfield, the main character of J.D. Salingers apologue The Catcher In The Rye, his family was what we as a society normally re remember of when that word is spoken. There are always variations on a theme, barely a typical family consists of two parents and at least one child. During the 1950s when the novel is set, adoption was virtually unheard of and divorce could be considered a sin where as today these are common practices. But one thing ab fall out family that has prevailed through the decades is the familys concern on a persons existence. The way a person interacts with their family can affect them for the rest of their lives. And the way a family interacts with a specific p erson can affect that person for the rest of their life. It is a two way family relationship which is often complicated and confusing, especially to Holden.Holdens family is obviously very burning(prenominal) to him. The novel opens with talking about his parents and his brother. Holden negatively criticizes them to hide the fact that he truly loves them. But, one would ask, how can you love those you never see? Holden is invariably being shipped from one boarding school to another. This absence betwixt him and his parents intensifies his normal alienation from everyone. Holdens only real love in the family is for his baby Phoebe. The bond and respect between brother and sister can not be broken no matter how far the distance between them. When Holden arrives back in New York, he immediately wanted to call someone his sister Phoebe. She wouldntve cared if Id woke her up (Salinger 59) galore(postnominal) people her age would not appreciate being woken up that tardy at nig ht, especially by their brother, but there is a uncouth respect between Phoebe and Holden that would allow for this event to occur. Through out the whole novel, this relationship continues because she is his little sister and he would never wound her. In todays world, this type of relationship is next to impossible.