Dear AP students:
Most of Catcher in the Rye takes place in the
city--and not just any city, but NYC. The Big Apple! J.D. Salinger
probably set the story in NYC because it was a place he was very familiar with,
having grown up in Manhattan, but maybe he set it there for a more specific
reason.
You have to agree that this novel would have
totally different tone/mood if it had taken place in some little Midwestern
town. Fortunately, Salinger set the story in a big city and in doing so
makes a statement about people and how they live in a big city like New
York.
In each novel we read we will take a
look at the role "setting" has on the mood, the characters , and the
overall themes of the story. In Heart of Darkness, our next book, we
will see what role the African jungle plays. In Frankenstein we will see how
rain and mountain scenery plays a significant role.
What is the role that the city plays in Catcher
in the Rye? What kind of mood is created by New York City?
How about NYC in December? This might have been a different
story with a different mood had the story been set on a warm June day.
How does NYC influence Holden's state of mind? Does it contribute to his
being more mixed up? Give me some specific elements of the city as portrayed in
the novel.
On a different subject, I mentioned in an earlier
post that Salinger intentionally or unintentionally compares Holden to
Shakespeare's Hamlet. As I said, they are both mixed up young men, though
Hamlet is older--not a teen. I noticed another comparison today--Hamlet is
always carrying a sword or foil--in fact, a sword duel plays a prominent role
in the end of the play. But in Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield mentions at
the beginning of the play how he lost the bag of foils for the fencing team
while on the subway. Two very different uses foils in two different novels.
Hamlet is a serious swordsman, while Holden is a bungling manager for the
fencing team.
Don't forget to do your double entry journal as you read the novel.
Upon first reading this book, I noticed the usual aspects of New York: busy, crowded, and full of life. In earlier discussions, we went over how these characteristics reflected Holden's persona and mentality. But I can also see how the theme of the book may have been different if the story was in, say, a city like San Diego. New York is fast-paced and upbeat. People are constantly moving and partaking in work or other activities. Today's typical cities are no different, although none can fully imitate New York. In regards to the mood however, I found the book to feel lively and continuously active. Personally, as a reader, I appreciate such books. For example, one minute Holden was having dinner somewhere, and the next he was trying to get into a bar, and by the next page he was going to see a show. NY is full of life and always has something to do. I prefer reading such story over slow paced ones.
ReplyDeleteI also read The Sun Also Rises, which was similar in terms of fast-paced and continuously active. The main characters were in both Paris and Spain throughout the book, which also proved to be cities containing many events to look forward to. In our book, Holden always seemed to be doing something, which I see now as a good thing in order to keep him mostly sane. But the fast pace of New York also points to the fast pace of the general society today, where people are always working or learning or doing something of the sort. If you want to be successful in our society today, you must be on time and quick to get things done. I feel like the book's setting is an image of such society. Holden is constantly being turned around in the city, from place to place> As I mentioned above, he always has something to do, which makes for an interesting way to really be able to learn about his personality.
-Negin Mohtashemian
As my peer Negin successfully stated, New York is a very crowded, messy place. It is a place where streets are crowded, stores are open 24 hours, and the people are always active. In a sense, it may even be used to represents Holden state of mind. We witness him going out at outrageous hours to drink the night away because he can not get Jane out of his mind. It shows that his mind contains a constant flow of ideas, some which he can not stop. New York may be seen as the same: people always active, flashing lights at a constant, and alcohol at every corner. Also, I believe New York being used as the setting provides the perfect atmosphere for all typed of people. New York is seen as the "happening place" to people all over the world. With such a title, it then attracts people of all types: some weird, some normal, and some Holden's type. By choosing a setting that contains inconsistent lifestyle patterns, it provides to Holden's sense of randomness. One moment he is angry, then sad, then happy, then nostalgic. Overall, I believe New York being used as a setting was quite unique. The story would not contain the same level of activity if it were to take place in a setting such as San Diego. New York is the place where my go, and where many experience life-changing events.
DeleteThe role New York has in the Catcher in the Rye is emphasizing Holden's alienation. Hes in a big city, with not too many people he knows. It's mid December and his feelings of alinenation are brought to light while in NYC. Holden was feelings trapped and lonely and didn't want to face his parents disappointment, which would depress him more, so he went to New York to soul search. In actuality, it only made him closer to adulthood and phoniness. If the book were set somewhere else, Holden's depression wouldn't be prominent. The readers would have lost interest because, his cries for help could have been mistaken for complaints. For me, it was more enjoyable to read from a different scenery. We were able to fully understand Holden's journey and relate to his teenage issues.
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it any better, I agree to the fullest with my peers above. The setting and character development go hand in hand. Although Holden lives in the crowded and busy city of New York, he cannot help but feel isolated from those around him. New York City starts off as an escape for Holden from Pencey Prep. NYC is an extremely fast paced city with people rushing between jobs, just to make a living. The type of people in New York would be exactly what Holden would refer to as "phony". Furthermore, the residents living in NYC do not understand Holden's need for companionship.
Delete-Briana Levett
The setting of this story is crucial to the mood as well as the plot. Holden finds himself alone in the busiest city in the world. The city shows how alienated Holden feels and how he is unable to relate to the people he encounters. He tries to connect with various people to overcome his loneliness. New York City is a place full of attractions; Broadway, shows, movies, ect. Holden seems to have a lot of mixed feelings about these attractions. He claims to hate the movies, but he still pretends like he is acting in one after getting punched in the gut. If the story was set in a small town, there would not be as many attractions for Holden to have opinions on. Additionally, Holden has lived in New York all his life. He has a lot of memories from his childhood in the city, a central theme of the book. Holden reminisces about the good times he had the Museum of Natural History. Salinger sets the setting as a place Holden has had previous memories to convey one of the main themes throughout the story. NYC serves as a foil to Holden because he likes things staying the same, where as the city is ever-changing and full of surprise. NYC gets Holden to constantly be doing something to pass the time. I found the novel to be fast-paced which was appealing to me as a reader. Although the story took place over a couple of days, they were full of adventure. I find it interesting how Salinger references Hamlet within the story. Holden and Hamlet have similar internal struggles that they deal with throughout their stories. Although they are similar, the use of foils may be Salinger trying to tell us they are completely different from each other when it comes to solving their problems. Hamlet must battle to win whereas Holden cannot control getting older.
ReplyDelete-Justin Bleisch
I agree greatly with Negin. To begin with, NYC is one of the busiest cities in the world, with bustling businesses, fast paced movement, and overall just a very active city. However, it's also often labeled as one of the "loneliest" cities in the world. Throughout the story, the loneliness of Holden seems to be parallel with the mood of NYC. Holden does not really have any friends, and to cure his misery, he always goes to the bar. However, even when he does go to the bar, we see that he can rarely actually hold a conversation with anyone. Similarly, when we do see him talking to people, we get the feeling that Holden himself isnt progressing his life in any way whereas everyone he talks to is heading somewhere. It's almost the feeling that Holden is left behind. The messy setting of NYC even makes Holden become more absent-minded as well as more miserable. An example of this is when he gives the cab driver the wrong address, even though he clearly knew he had to stay at a hotel before. From this, we can tell that NYC's vast environment can cause people to lose concentration of their goal. The season the novel is set in makes the setting more figuratively cold. It gives off a dark feeling, where you are alone, with no one helping you. For example, when Holden talks to Luce at the bar, we can clearly see that Luce doesn't even want to be near Holden. Holden's loneliness drives him to be confused about where his life can take him, as he regularly thinks about too many things at once, like his sex life, his family, etc. showing how NYC affects Holden's mind.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ocean in his statement, "it's also often labeled as one of the 'loneliest' cities in the world," when talking about NYC. The busier the city and its people, the rarer it is for people to make true, personal relationships with others. In big cities, such as NYC, there are too many events occurring at once, and there are little to no time to spend on thinking of the lives of others. There are so many people racing for the better - better cars, better jobs, better lives - that it is rather difficult to observe an intimate interactions.
ReplyDeleteHolden, throughout the story, experiences great loneliness and isolation from others, especially due to the setting being in New York City. The bustling city, known for its fantastic junctions and entertainments, may be a city of beautiful, empty shell to many. Holden tries to interact. He visits places where there are many people and drinks to enjoy, yet he does not find the attention he desires. He calls Sally and goes to a concert, yet he does not enjoy the event. He seeks for a company throughout his stay in New York City, and he resorts to visiting his little sister Phoebe.
Whenever he visits a place, it is rare to find the places welcoming, and even the place that he does feel relatively positive - the museum - it was simply the museum that provided him the atmosphere, not a person. The bars and night clubs he went to, he did not have pleasant experience. New York City, and its hidden loneliness adds onto the confused teenager Holden already was, causing his encounters in the city to become continuously less desirable and unbearable.
New York, especially in the mid twentieth century, represented the great, diverse world, the heart of business. It is also where Holden witnesses the realities of being an adult and decides he does not want any part of it. It is from the phoniness that Holden encounters in New York that influences him to be the “Catcher in the Rye” to save children from these realities. This is evident as Holden is approached for prostitute services in the elevator of his hotel, he is unaware of the situation and reluctantly agrees. But mostly, it is the scene of the corrupt world that Holden seeks to protect children from. In another light, the New York City setting allows Holden to fully experience alienation, he is unable to relate to the people he meets, alone in the busiest city in the world. In chapter 12, as Holden is alone walking down the street he states, “New York’s terrible when somebody laughs on the street very late at night. You can hear it for miles. It makes you feel so lonesome and depressed.” New York is a vast and densely populated city; however, it’s fast-paced tempo prevents real life connections from occurring. The setting ultimately enhanced Holden’s loneliness more than any other city or season.
ReplyDeleteI believe Salinger chose New York City as the main setting of the story in order to establish a sense of wonder and adventure for both the reader and Holden as well. Throughout the story Holden seems to always be going somewhere, such as the movies, various hotels, bars, hotels, and even the Natural History Museum. With so many places for Holden to visit, it must not be difficult for Holden to find some phony or something that makes him absolutely depressed. The convenience of abundance of new and different characters and scenarios would logically make a large city like New York such a favorable setting for many authors.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the story may have been much for dull and boring if it were set in a smaller, less populated location, and also that it is possible that Salinger may have chosen New York to make a statement about 'living in the big city.' I believe that Salinger may be mocking city life as he often points out all the phonies and depressing things through experiences of Holden. There is little in the story that Holden mentions that he likes as strongly as he seems to find many things depressing, so I couldn't strongly believe that Salinger is attempting to praise the setting of New York or its characters.
I think that the mood of the story highly depended on the setting. By being in New York where there is a lot of people and specially on Christmas Holden ended up feeling more and more depressed.
ReplyDeleteI found it hard to understand how Holden wanted to move west to start a new life when he was already in New York which is supposed to be a place of many opportunities.
I like that Salinger chose this as the setting of the story because he knew it so well, I mean knowing the names of the bars and hotels, that made the story more specific and easier to understand
I agree with Daniel, just like he stated, the mood of the story depends on the setting. The fact that the novel took place in December added to Holden's thought process as well. There is a thing as Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, which is a mood disorder where a person gets depressed during a specific time of the year. It often starts from the end of fall and continue onto winter. I think Holden has this disorder, I am not a psychiatrist myself, but I am just guessing.
Delete- Jemima Subaran
I think that the mood of the story highly depended on the setting. By being in New York where there is a lot of people and specially on Christmas Holden ended up feeling more and more depressed.
ReplyDeleteI found it hard to understand how Holden wanted to move west to start a new life when he was already in New York which is supposed to be a place of many opportunities.
I like that Salinger chose this as the setting of the story because he knew it so well, I mean knowing the names of the bars and hotels, that made the story more specific and easier to understand
I agree that in Salinger's use of New York City at Christmas time, Holden's sentiments of loneliness are gravely increased. The holidays alone are especially useful in projecting empty feelings in Holden; Christmas in particular is a time to be with family, at home decorating, cooking/baking, and experiencing the warm sensation of a full household, that which Holden unfortunately does not get to witness very often. Even though personally I have never gotten to see NYC, at Christmas time I can only imagine the amplification of Holden's troubles. Lights hung everywhere, parades, a light snowfall, ice skating and the rockettes performing would surely make Holden experience some level of remorse for not being able to share such sights with his family. Instead he is copping with the lack of his family by filling his time, playing around with prostitutes, women visiting the big apple on vacation, and attempting to get in touch with Jane, even though the audience and the protagonist alike know that doing all these things will never bring Holden any true happiness, or at least anything that can compete with the satisfaction of being at home on Christmas.
ReplyDelete-Savannah Mojica
The Catcher in the Rye would not have had the same impact as it did if the story took place on a sunny August day in the Midwest, it would have made a huge contrast against Holden's personality. With the cold and dark winds of December in a city where hoards of people are gathered but not one cares about the stranger passing by them, it provides a perfect setting for Holden's and may I suggest Salinger's brooding. Books are a reflection of the author's own emotions and personality therefore I would like to assume that Holden is a representation of Salinger's own inner thoughts and emotions that he desires to share, more reason to why the setting is in New York where he grew up. It is not because he is familiar with the layout of Manhattan but because he understands the emotions connected to that layout and can use those sentiments to make the book and Holden come to life. December is the perfect time period for this grey and honestly depressing book, that is because December is the ending of another year and to Holden it represents his fear of disappearing and leaving so much behind him. If the story were to be in January, the beginning of a new year would't Holden be more optimistic since he seems to be the type who is easily swayed by his surroundings?
ReplyDeleteIn agreement with the comments my peers have been making, Christmas is a time for couples and families to join together and celebrate life with each other.Although Holden loves his family he has no desire to return home because of his fear of disappointing them again. In order to kill time before having to face them Holden sets out on his own in the Big Apple, however this journey only depresses him more. With so many people celebrating and the city aglow with the warmth of Christmas Holden feels even more like an outcast. Holden is most likely feeling a sense of jealousy towards the people around him and desires to understand and be part of that joy they feel. With all this in mind, the setting for the book was right for the image and emotion Salinger wanted to project.
-Vianney Sandoval
Although I do agree that New York was used to emphasize the transition from teenager to adult, I believe the setting is used as a character foil for Holden. More or less the people within the city, but ultimately the city lifestyle itself. A city, as a collective community, moves at a thousand miles an hour, it seems; people are constantly completing their own agendas and are usually on the fly. Holden, on the other hand, has thoughts which feel hesitant, even resentful when thinking about what to do next. (However, he does make quite rushed impulse decisions)
ReplyDeleteIt might be a stretch, but for the aforementioned reason I believe Holden's experiences, save for his run-in with the nuns and his final meeting with Phoebe, tend to take place in the afternoon or later at night, when the city slows down and he has more time to be off on his own. It is also in the late hours of the day that he finds himself lonely and depressed, drowning in his thoughts; whether it be in a hotel lobby or forcing himself to sleep after being attacked by Maurice.
-Andre Yee
I believe New York was selected to compliment and justify Holden’s feelings about his experience of transitioning to the adulthood life. For example, when he mentions in chapter 22 how adults usually only act upon circumstances that only benefit them, he implies that society causes an adult to be selfish and “phony”. This idea is also conveyed by the simple thought of New York being a location in which there are various corporations which causes Holden to realize that money makes one prejudice and feel a sense of superiority. However, I feel like the aspect that most connects New York and Holden’s perspective of adulthood is unfamiliarity. When Holden visits the museums he states how it was appealing to him because everything stayed the same, I inferred he feared change. New York made him encounter new experiences of adulthood in which he did not know how to react. These experiences put emphasis on his feeling of alienation being caused by instilled fear of adults betraying him or the possibility of him conforming to society. This instilled fear causes him to desire for running away to a remote location (which is mentioned when he proposes to Sally) to be justified as it is seen as the only possible way to escape the system In a way, I believe that New York was selected as the settings as it accurately depicts the reality and cruelty of adulthood, which puts emphasis on Holden’s statement on how conserving ones childhood innocence is crucial in society.
ReplyDelete-Jazzlyn Aviles
New York is known to be a very crowded and busy city with new people to meet. It's hard to be alone in NYC. This is why I find it quite ironic that Holden feels alone and helpless throughout the whole story. Having the story set in New York was brilliant on Salinger's part, he painted Holden as a disturbed, alienated teenager while the setting was busting and changing every second. Having the setting somewhere else would be make Holden's story boring, for example if he was in Idaho living on a farm, his setting would match his mood and it wouldn't be interesting any longer. But because the setting is in NYC the mood of the city being busy and fun contradicts Holden's mood which is lost and depressed, this is what makes the Catcher in the Rye interesting.
ReplyDeleteI would like to note how New York is known for always changing and Holden is facing his biggest fear of changing. In the scene where Holden reminisces about visiting the museum he mentions how "nothing changes" how he liked it that way. The setting of New York is just another ironic twist that Salinger added to the story.
-Breana Barnes
New York City is one of America’s most iconic cities in the world and plays a key role in The Catcher in the Rye. Even though I have never been to the Big Apple (but I want to go!), I understand that the city is a center for culture, economics, politics, and a symbol of America. It is interesting to see the story take place in NYC since it is a unique backdrop to what takes place. Holden is even influenced by the city itself when he ponders and asks the taxi driver, “Where do the ducks go in the winter?” (Chapter 12). Also, this not just about New York City, but the story takes place in NYC during the winter time.
ReplyDeleteThe setting gives the plot a very cold, serious, almost tense kind of atmosphere. I think the metro vibe gives Holden a sense of comfort. I think he would rather be surrounded by people he can judge and mock rather than in the country side. I can image Holden being frightened by the freedom of the countryside for some reason. At the same time, I believe New York City can almost give Holden a reason to be the way he is with the amount of people living there. It’s somewhat like there are so many people living there, that nobody has time to care about what an under-age boy is doing wandering around such a large city. It’s the reason he can get away with smoking, drinking alcohol, and calling a prostitute. Maybe it is just another time perhaps.
-Tanner Claudio
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ReplyDeleteThe setting of this novel in New York City, does clearly help to set the mood and or tone of the novel. A Big bustling and busy city seems to play to reflect in to the confusion in Holden's life.A crowed city, i agree with my peers, that its is ironic hown in this city, Holden feels completly alone throughout the strory. However to the mention of alienation, i feel as though he does it to himself, with plenty of class mates, and family, Holden seems to seek company only from people who he can be assured are temporary. As Holden seems to was to grow up, and find himself, he seems to be in the perfect city, NYC is where people go to find themselves and live there dreams. However the setting also helps reveal his personality. As readers find out that he is cynical of most of the iconic thing on New York as well as the people, it proves that despite some of his actions and language, Holden is not yet mature and is still trying to find himself. As for the comparison of Holden to Hamlet, it is almost evident the similarities, and how ironic the whole mess about always having versus losing these weapons. It almost insinuates that the comparison is falls, or falls short.
ReplyDelete-Janelle Stradford
The fact that the story takes place in New York City greatly shapes the way that I view Holden's journey, and helps me to empathize with him. The few times I've visited NYC I've found the city to be suffocating and claustrophobic. It's dirty and crowded, something that effects the psych of the person who lives there. To live somewhere crowded lowers the self-esteem of the person living there, because their worth seems to decrease compared to the thousands of others living in the same city. This can be seen in some of Holden's character, the way he is constantly ignored and he desperately tries to get others to listen to him. New York is known for being loud and busy, so the fact that Holden is so desperate for someone to listen to him contrasts directly with the setting that his story takes place in. The setting of New York City and the people who live there is rushed, dingy and suffocating.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the story takes place in winter also deeply effects Holden's story. Winter is a season I actually enjoy, but in the U.S. it is the coldest and darkest season of the year. The novel "Ethan Frome" also takes place in winter, and often the season is compared to death and grief and hardship. Winter is a wonderful season, but it is also devastating. Imagining New York in winter, it would make the city only seem all the darker and crueler. There are many different types of psychological disorders that are directly connected with the seasons, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) being the most well-known to me. Holden is very clearly depressed and suicidal throughout most of this story, and the cold of winter only exacerbates those feelings. If the story had taken place during any other time of the year, Holden's depression may not have become as extreme as it did. It would also have been near impossible for Holden to contract the illness that place him in the hospital, where he tells his story. Without him ending up in the hospital, it would have been possible that Holden would have never told his story or met with the psychoanalyst. So the winter setting could be considered the entire basis for the story, because without it Holden would have never become sick, in the physical and psychological sense.
-Mackenzie Spence
I agree with Carlea on how the setting made an even bigger statement on Holden's depression and loneliness. New York City is a place full of liveliness and activeness, a city where people are busy and engaging in social activities. The setting emphasizes Holden's longing to connect with the real world and his failure in doing so. He searches for people to connect to by sleeping with prostitutes and going to bars in longing to hide his loneliness. Even more so, New York City during the month of December is a time of severe, cold weather and darkness. With Christmas approaching, the holiday season can be seen as a time of loneliness as well, thus making the setting prominent in Holden's depression and alienation.
ReplyDeleteAnother point I want to make is how throughout the novel, Holden holds the point that when he was at Pencey Prep, everyone was a “phony” but when he moves to a different setting, New York City, he encounters even more phonies and attempts to escape by going to different bars, hotels and parks. Therefore, I think the setting goes to show Holden’s mixed feelings on people and his current mental state by how he seeks to fulfill his meaning in life in a vibrant city yet continues to only shine the light on the negative aspects. The way Holden avoids to genuinely connect with people only adds more to his depression and sickness.
-Celeste Lettieri
The whole novel was dependent on the setting being in New York City. Certainly everyone knows that New York is the place to be to actually be someone of importance. Like in many shows and movies that take place in New York City, it is usually young adults trying to become something. Holden however is a teen trying to force himself out of his innocence but failing to do so. The fact that this all took place in the wintertime is very crucial. If this were to take place in the summer, one of the most important symbolisms would completely be demolished. The fact that the lake or pond in central park is frozen and Holden wants to know what happens to the ducks is crucial. The ducks helped represent Holden as he is still lost and has no idea what his life will become. He uses the ducks as a symbolism of himself. Also the fact that he is alone during the wintertime is important especially in such a big city. In a big city, you usually would need someone to be with to keep you company but Holden was alone the whole time. He tried to be around people, but he wasn’t surrounded by the people he wanted.
ReplyDelete-Angel Villareal
Seeing how , as previously stated before, New York is a fast paced city which is constantly moving. We see how Holden is always moving. This is shown when he couldn't just wait a week at Pencey Prep because he had to go home even though if his mother knew he was expelled would have a fit. He still decided he had to go home. The fact that The Catcher in the Rye was set in New York affected the way that Holden perceived things and the way he through with things.The way we see how most of his nights are at a bar.
ReplyDeleteWe also see how the season in which this happens affects the mood of the story. By the season being winter, we can see how most people tend to stay inside. While Holden was constantly moving through and about but he is left most often alone. Trapped in his mind and isolated throughout most of the story we see how his mind goes fast pace like the city in order to distract him from the isolation.
-Barbara Ramirez
I agree with many of the students that New York City compliments how Holden feels. The city plays the role of the antagonist in my opinion. It is everything that Holden hates, and he says it outright, “I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison avenue buses...” New York City is a very adult environment. It is a busy city filled with either lower class people who Holden feels bad for and wealthy people who he believes are phony. Also, as a constant tourist spot, as evident by the three women at the bar visiting, New York City can come across as phony to him. In a smaller town there may have been more understanding for Holden, however, because he is in a large city he gains little attention. New York City also requires him to grow up, but he sees the beauty in staying young. The result is Holden feeling detached from the city and the people within it and the need to escape to somewhere he can feel sane.
ReplyDeleteJ.D. Salinger was clever in picking the big city for his setting in this novel. The reason I believe he does so is to narrow down the focus on Holden's feelings himself rather than the many outside details of the bustling city. New York is one of the many things Holden spends time criticizing, in fact he spends a whole paragraph ranting on how much he hates the streets, the people and the overall environment while on his date with Sally Hayes. Which within the same conversation is where the sudden idea of moving to Vermont and Massachusetts emerges. Note that these two places are eminently remote compared to a big city like New York. Which I believe relates to the fact that Holden craves alone time and peace, yet he wants Sally's company, and even the idea of children comes up, to not feel completely lonely. One of the other reasons Salinger might have chosen this particular setting was because of the notorious practice of prostitution within the streets, as well as the many bars found throughout every corner. Holden attempts to hide his loneliness and aides his long for human interaction in the night life as he converses with a plethora of people; nuns, a piano player, 3 ladies he wanted to dance with, a couple prostitutes, and some old friends. However most really did seem interested in carrying a conversation any longer than a couple minutes as they were what Holden would refer to as "phonies" or "morons". It is obvious Holden is indecisive as to which he craves more, human relationship and bond or time for himself with the right people, and the various trivial factors Salinger uses throughout the novel are clever as they add up to emphasize Holden's thoughts and feelings of the world surrounding him.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNew York City is known to be a very crowded, working city. In the 1950’s, many diverse opportunities were occurring from music to television to publishing. Holden is quite opposite though; he stands out. While most people living there are all dressed similar, going to school, and later maintaining a job, Holden happens to get kicked out of four prep schools. This was definitely out of the norm in that time, whereas I think now, it is common for kids to not succeed in school and take different routes. I do believe the weather effected his state of mind and made him more depressed. Holden stated, “...and even though it was so damp and lousy out, I walked all the way through the park over to the Museum of Natural History” (133). If it were perhaps sunny, then maybe he would go out frequently and talk to more people. The gloomy weather is consuming him and allows him to feel sad about everything he passes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Micheal on how the exposure to New York City plays an antagonistic role against Holden throughout the novel. It seems as if almost all of the situations Holden goes through are meant to cause him some sort of stress. As a growing teenager who is still trying to understand the several adult experiences that heavily influence Holden's perspective on others. Salinger purposely implemented such an environment to compliment the crucial aspects of Holden's personality. The city allows for Holden's analytical and witty views on the people he meets throughout the novel to help shape the reader's image of the narrator. Holden's personality is easier to understand since he is met with different personalities that bring out the true Holden. The fact that the scenery is in the wintertime reinforces the sort of mature atmosphere that my peers have identified, which in my opinion, forces Holden to attempt to fit in with the adult like environment.
ReplyDeleteAs it has been mentioned, Holden displays certain similarities to Hamlet throughout the story. He is indeed a very confused individual that reacts to certain situations impulsively. I think that like New York City Holden is very fast paced and constantly in action. However, New York City is known to have it's gloomy and dark days and this setting can help to contribute to our main protagonists attitude. Throughout the novel we can't help but notice that Holden is often reminded how truly alone he is in such a big city were there never seems to be a dull moment. Another factor to be taken into consideration is that the setting takes place during winter. Winter can be seen as a time of relaxation when one would spend time indoors with family or friends. This further reminds our protagonist that he is alone and craves to have a human connection. However, his cynical attitude almost contradicts this and makes it appear as thought he'd rather be left to himself.
ReplyDelete-Andrea Pagano
Setting plays an important role in The Catcher in the Rye, as it affects the mood of each scene, as well as the way Holden expresses his emotions. This setting in particular creates a contrast of tones as his character sets apart from the busy, crowded, and hectic city of New York. While the city remains buzzing and full of life, Holden differentiates once again with his loneliness and negativity. He directly mentions this in the novel, as stated, "New York's terrible when somebody laughs on the street very late at night. You can hear it for miles. It makes you feel so lonesome and depressed" (Salinger 91). Holden also attempts to console his loneliness with other's company and conversation, as evidenced by his interaction with the cab driver, or the several people he had met in the clubs. Although he makes these attempts, these have shown to fail him as he wanders around the city- constantly being reminded of his feelings of depression and alienation. New York City as a setting thus emphasizes his outermost loneliness and sadness, even when surrounded by a typically upbeat environment bustling with life. With this in mind, the winter season additionally adds on to the gloomy, dark, and cold factor represented by Holden, as it draws into his constant sadness.
ReplyDeleteIf set in a different location or time period, however, the story would be heavily affected based upon the tone it displays the story. While New York City brings out a darker theme throughout the novel in spite of its upbeat stereotype, a completely different setting or even a brighter day in New York would influence the mood of the story, and the mood of Holden's character. This shows the impact setting creates, as it matches the events and themes within the story.
As suggested by my peers, the setting of New York City is a very crucial part of the novel and the story. I think that the role that this city plays on the story is to show Holden’s emotions and how trapped he feels. In other words, I think that New York City is a big place with a lot of people, it is impossible to not feel lonely, especially if you are there alone. Therefore, I think that the setting plays a role in determining and influencing Holden’s emotions. In my opinion, New York City creates a very lonesome mood in the story. Holden is surrounded by all of these people, he cannot help but feel lonely. Even more important, New York City in December is extremely cold. This may affect Holden’s attitude more in that he may feel depressed and lonely. This is true for many people, it is actually a condition called seasonal affective disorder. People that are affected by this illness experience mood changes depending on the weather. Therefore, I think that this is the reason why Holden feels more depressed and isolated than he would feel if it was a warm day during June. In that case, I think that he would be more cheerful, with a better attitude. Overall, I think that Holden’s state of mind is very much affected by being in New York City.
ReplyDelete-Daniela Navarro
I think that Salinger purposefully set Catcher in the Rye in New York City because it conveys the atmosphere that floods Holden’s mind. New York City is dirty, crowded and filled with tons of crazy people which make it a perfect representation of the bustling thoughts that invade Holden’s brain. During December, NYC is showered in snow and because it’s Christmas time, people go out of their way to create sort of phony attempt to spread joy and cheer. It is also much busier in New York City during Christmas time, making it the ideal location for Holden to overcome his loneliness. He learns that in order to overcome this alienation, he must interact with people. And what better place than a busy city where no matter what time it is, there is a constant stream of people to connect with? Holden also has certain attitudes toward different places throughout the city. For example, he despises Broadway, “a crumby place” where phonies wait in long lines for seats for ridiculous shows. On the other hand, he finds delight when going to the Museum of Natural History, where “the best thing” was that “everything stayed right where it was.” He doesn’t enjoy change, but New York City is a bustling area where change is inevitable. Overall, Holden holds both positive and negative ideas towards New York and I think that this setting leads to more problems for him.
ReplyDelete-Renee Navarro
I went to New York City two years ago during spring break. Although it was around March at the time the air was still super cold and bitter. It even snowed one day. The air was so cold that I lost my voice by the end of the trip. NYC is very culturally and financially diverse. It is filled with locals, tourists, and every street is like a distinct neighborhood. I believe that NYC is significant because the city is similar to Holden's character. It's different, it's depressing when it's dark, and there are parts of the city that some may recognize as "outlandish" just like Holden's hunting hat.
ReplyDeleteThis theme of darkness seems so pop up often in this part of the book, such as Sally's all black outfit (pg. 161) and Holden's walk through Central Park South (pg. 200). He also includes that the environment began to feel spookier as he kept walking. Frankly, no teen should be walking through NYC alone at night in the first place. I believe that if the setting took place in June where the city would be warm, it would have thrown the whole book off. For one thing, the school year would be ending rather than going on a semester break, therefore affecting the drama of Holden getting kicked out of Pencey. Secondly, Holden's mood may be lighter to match the warmth and brightness of summer.
As stated before I believe that making the setting in New York allows Holden the liberty to explore and find his own identity. If the setting would have been some other place beside New York Holden’s search of his identity would not be evident because New York is a huge city full of diversity. The setting is very significant in the novel because it also symbolizes the theme of the book: youth. In the novel when he goes on a cab ride he asks the drivers where the ducks in the central park lagoon go in the winter. This is significant because it shows Holden’s curiosity and youthful side in the novel. The setting is important because New York gets really cold in the winter and therefore the water of the lagoon freezes providing Holden with the curious childish question. Throughout the novel Holden’s mood is very negative and is portrayed as an old annoyed man who is angry at everyone and everything. Being able to question the Ducks in the central Park Lagoon, changed Holden’s mood into a more joyful child who is searching to discover the mysteries the world provides. The setting is also significant because the ducks leave every winter and come back in the spring. I find it interesting how like the ducks Holden is realizing that change is not permanent but temporary.
ReplyDelete-Nubia Alvarez
I agree that J.D. Salinger set the story in New York City not only because he had grown up in Manhattan but that there was a more specific reason. The fact that it takes place in New York City in December when it’s closing in on christmas time, has an impact on the atmosphere of the story. The weather is cold and when you can’t be with your loved ones in the warmth of your home, you can be sad. And in this case, Holden can’t be with his sister Phoebe or Jane Gallagher. I still don’t think Holden was serious about his remarks related to suicide, but Christmas time is known to have the highest suicide rates. I think this specific time setting was chosen by Salinger to influence Holden’s mind.
ReplyDeleteAs my peers above have said, New York City is one of the busiest cities and you’d think that more people would make someone feel sociable and not lonely. But that’s not the case, if anything it emphasizes Holden’s alienation. Taking a quote from The Great Gatsby, “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy” can help explain what it’s like in New York City. It’s easy to be overlooked when they are so many people around you. I think since it’s so late at night when Holden first leaves his dorm, setting the story in a different location like a small town would not have provided Holden the ability to go out and do things. In NYC he had a variety of things he could do and a vast environment to explore.
Author J.D Salinger's choice of setting the novel to take place in New York City holds a more deeper underlying purpose . Besides him having grown up there himself, the role that the city plays in this novel is massive in terms of Holden's feeling of loneliness and helplessness. The mood created by NYC is it being very fast moving with everyone doing there own thing and having no worries except to go to the theatre or bar. The setting particularly takes place in the winter creating a more depressing mood and emphasis on the need for family and having someone special with you. Many times Holden attempts too or thinks of calling some of his friends up even his sister to see if they would like to hang out. It was obvious that he was very lonely and I believe being in the big NYC made him feel worse. It seemed like everywhere he went like to bars/clubs, Central Park, the theatre, the hotel, etc. he felt like an outsider. Holden seems to be searching for genuine connections with people but is not finding them any where which in turn is making him more fearful of adulthood.
ReplyDelete-Jasmine Simmons
The setting being in New York City definitely affects the mood of the novel. Besides the author being familiar with NYC I imagine that he made this the setting because of all the different types of people and personalities you get. Throughout the novel Holden encountered many different people such as the nuns, a prostitute, and a so called pimp. If the story were told in a Midwestern town these interesting interaction would not have occurred. I also feel like New York played a big role on Holden's feelings.He was a lonely teenage boy in a fast paced city. Although he had loved ones who cared for him instead of confiding in them he isolates himself. With Holden's fear of adulthood NY is filled with everything that he dislikes. New York is a place filled with mature working men and women whereas Holden is an immature pessimistic sixteen year old. I sensed that Holden wanted to escape all the phoniness at Pencey Prep but instead of getting away from it all he encountered many more “phonies.” I feel as though Salinger chose a setting that he thought would make for a great story.
ReplyDelete-Alexis Gaskin
I agree with Alexis in the fact that the setting of New York allowed Holden to acquire some experiences and meet certain people that would otherwise be very unlikely had it been in another region. For example, when he ran away from Pencey, he was wandering on the streets of New York hoping to have a drink with someone. Because New York is considered one of the busiest cities, Holden had no problem going out for a drink (although he was denied one because of his age) and dancing with three different girls. This busy city hosts many people who love to party, and such occasion made it easier for Holden to meet up with them in New York. Not only that, but a city as big as New York made it seem as if Holden was just one person among a crowd. It provided a sense of loneliness and reinforced the idea that he as a teenager had to make his own decisions and grow up based on his lone experiences.
DeleteJ.D Salinger utilizes two elements to create a gloomy, estranged mood: freezing temperatures and darkness. Salinger portrays New York City as a crude, frightening location which extends Holden’s isolation. I found myself feeling worried for Holden when he described, “Finally I sat down on this bench, where it wasn’t so goddamn dark. Boy, I was shivering like a bastard, and the back of my hair, even though I had my hunting hat on, was sort of full of little hunks of ice” (Pg. 154). The menacing conditions of the city match Holden’s emotional instability. I would also like to note that Holden had easy access to bars and a prostitute which would have been less probable in a small town in the Midwest. Therefore, the setting is crucial because it allows Holden to interact with people of distinct motives and age groups. Although he had a hard time fitting in with other teenagers, it appears as if it is significantly harder for him to feel included among the adult world. In addition, preconceived notions about small towns are that they convey inclusion and warmth. Their inhabitants are said to be kindhearted and relaxed. Perhaps Holden’s depression would not exist in that type of environment. On the other hand, New York City consists of empowering skyscrapers and cutthroat workaholics. I agree with my peers that the setting contributes to Holden’s alienation and internal conflicts.
ReplyDelete-Lizeth Estrada
As my peers have stated, New York City is famous for being crowded, busy, and the center of modern culture. The skyscrapers tower over thousands of pedestrians rushing to their destinations, and the city is alive at all hours, enveloping an individual into the fast-paced life typical of the NYC. The atmosphere of New York City is big, bright, and busy. Anyone would feel minuscule within this setting, insignificant amongst the glamorous and powerful people working all over the city. The city itself added to Holden’s feelings of isolation, a confused teenager surrounded by confident adults with agendas to fulfill. He is surrounded by people rushing through life, when he just wants to slow down and appreciate his adolescence, his fleeting innocence. Holden is also wandering the streets of New York in December, with the frosty winter winds surrounding him. Winter connotes coldness, darkness and loneliness. Both the city and season of the novel add to Holden’s feelings of isolation, alienation, and depression. Holden is also very apathetic and seems bored with his life throughout the novel. This also related to the winter setting, the season in which life freezes and animals lie dormant until the cold passes. The world moves slower in the winter, almost as if it is regaining strength in order to blossom and thrive in the upcoming spring. This novel is almost like Holden’s winter period, his pause in order to recuperate before he begins the next chapter of his life, being an adult. I also think that Holden’s despise of the “phonies” partially stems from his upbringing in New York. Surrounded by flashy, materialistic adults, Holden developed a hatred for people who put on an act in order to impress others. This, however, is ironic because Holden frequently lies to others, making up stories in order to entertain both himself and whomever he is talking to.
ReplyDelete-Lilliana Conradi
The dim and cold weather of winter New York seems to emphasize the depressed nature of Holden while he tries to avoid his parents. There is a very distinctive feel of winter that lends itself to a story. Summer and spring are reminiscent of joyful times full of blessings and new beginnings, while the winter is the bitter end, the death of all things beautiful. I feel that this relates to Holden's time at Pencey. What could have been his opportunity to become a man and represent his family well was ruined by his inability to stick to a routine. He claims he failed due to his dislike of Oral Expression, he failed the course because he could not understand why people do not like to digress during speeches. Holden's frequent digression annoyed me because I felt as if I would never get to the heart of the matter, much like winter makes one feel as if they will never reach spring. Salinger chose the hustle and bustle of New York to show how time seems to stop when your world "crashes down". Holden flunked out of school, again, and when he finally seems to accept this when he wants to go to Mr. Antolini's house, it is almost impossible to catch a cab. Even if you have never been to New York, movies do it justice with the cabs on every corner; if you can't hail a taxi, something is amiss.
ReplyDeleteThe dim and cold weather of winter New York seems to emphasize the depressed nature of Holden while he tries to avoid his parents. There is a very distinctive feel of winter that lends itself to a story. Summer and spring are reminiscent of joyful times full of blessings and new beginnings, while the winter is the bitter end, the death of all things beautiful. I feel that this relates to Holden's time at Pencey. What could have been his opportunity to become a man and represent his family well was ruined by his inability to stick to a routine. He claims he failed due to his dislike of Oral Expression, he failed the course because he could not understand why people do not like to digress during speeches. Holden's frequent digression annoyed me because I felt as if I would never get to the heart of the matter, much like winter makes one feel as if they will never reach spring. Salinger chose the hustle and bustle of New York to show how time seems to stop when your world "crashes down". Holden flunked out of school, again, and when he finally seems to accept this when he wants to go to Mr. Antolini's house, it is almost impossible to catch a cab. Even if you have never been to New York, movies do it justice with the cabs on every corner; if you can't hail a taxi, something is amiss.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the winter setting of this novel portrays a halt in motion, both of Holden's eccentric personality and his literal means of transport. He must stop to consider his options and develop his character before the story progresses, a plot device reminiscent of Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me Ultima. In both stories, winter seems to grasp the main character, forcing them to reflect deeply upon their decisions and personality. Both characters are teens who are forced to become adults, growing up far too fast and being exposed to the dangers of the adult world, especially death. In any case, Holden's presence in New York is no mistake on Salinger's part, it represents the core aspects of Holden's personality. Rebellion, lust, and a carefree personality dominate the city just as much as they dominate the American teenager present in Holden.
DeleteThe setting of this book being New York City was very interesting to me given how Holden appears to have no ambition or real direction in life yet he is in the city of dreams where it is a typical trope for characters to go to New York to pursue a career in music or entertainment. Thus, I found it also rather ironic that Holden considers those who enjoy the movies to be phonies. Additionally, the city landscape is filled with concrete buildings, lacking the warmth and comfort that would be allowed in a small town. This is important as it creates a sense of deeper loneliness within Holden as he is placed in a larger setting where he can feel even more isolated rather than closer with everyone. In a smaller town people are typically closer and so it occurs to me that it would have been possible for Holden to find some kind of solace more easily within the people around him. Lastly, the detail of the time being right about Christmas time adds to the coldness of his life and experiences as he has to suffer through the bite of the air as he travels round. Also, winter is a very stressful time due to the coming of the New Year along with Christmas, meaning that many people face more stress in their lives during this period. To add to this, it is also a fact that more suicides occur during the period of winter as a result of such stress, making Holden’s feeling of struggle even more intense and dire.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI agree that selecting New York City as the setting of the book played a major role in contributing the loneliness of Holden. I also believe the selection of New York City as the setting played an important role in amplifying the distinct differences in social-classes. This can be seen in how New York attracts wealthy, middle class, and poor people. This is an important part of the story as seen in how Holden struggles separate himself from the wealthy. This is claim is supported by the fact that he had gotten thrown out of four prestigious boarding schools. He also can't seem to get along with the lower-classes.
DeleteThis is evident when he voiced his opinion about the homeless who he assumed climbed into the school and wrote a curse on the wall. Other examples of Holden not getting along include his arguments with the ladies he tried to dance with. No other city has such a variety of people. Thus New York City served as an excellent setting to bring to light Holden's conflict with his social standing. Due to the fact that the city's immense size allowed him to interact with various people.
Salinger chose New York City because of its fast paced lifestyle and overpopulation. Holden seems to hold conversations with many people but never enjoy it. Maybe it is because he enjoys the idea of getting side tracked from his main idea and leading off onto other topics and he finds it boring when he talks to those who do not do this. A great addition to the setting was how it was during Christmas time and it was snowing. Christmas is typically a time where families are together enjoying each other's company, but instead Holden felt like he was dying from hypothermia in central park. As Holden was lying there he described his hair having chunks of ice in it and he began thinking about his funeral as if he was going to die on that bench. He immediately felt very lonesome and was saddened by the whole idea of death. It is evident that Pheobe means the world to him because he had forgotten all about it when he went back to his house where they had a long conversation and danced around. Although Holden feels depressed at times throughout the novel, whenever he sees something that reminds him of Pheobe, he suddenly feels happy because the idea of seeing her gives him something to look forward to.
ReplyDelete-Mat Fernandez
DeleteI agree with Ocean in that New York City is the "loneliest" city in the world. People in New York city in the novel really isolated themselves and closed off irrelevant people in their lives to benefit themselves. For example in the novel, in the scene where Holden had to deal with the whole prostitute situation, Maurice did not care about Holden or what his circumstance was, he only cared about the money. Similarly, the prostitute did not care about what Holden had to say she only cared about finding pleasure. Having the setting being placed in a busy place during the 1950's really contradicted with Holden's situation. New York City during the 1950's was the place where a person can start their business reputation and become successful in business. Holden on the other hand was in New York City just to run away from his problems. Having the time being around December also set the mood of the novel and contradicted with Holden as well. People in New York usually do not stay in the streets but rather stay at home with family to prepare for the holidays. Whereas, Holden stayed on the streets and had no family to turn to but himself. By having the time and place juxtaposing with our protagonist it intensifies the plot which allows the reader to be engaged and interested in the novel.
ReplyDeleteThe role that the city plays in Catcher in the Rye is that in the city, there are a variety of people, opportunities, culture, and many more. The variety of opportunities in New York, especially around this time period, attracts people from all over the world, which leads to an even bigger population. The busy city of New York having a large population can led Holden feeling both independent and lonely. Although Holden grew up in Manhattan with his family including his mother, father, his brothers, Allie and B.D, and his sister, Phoebe yet he feels alone in the big city and the fact that it is December makes Holden feel even more depressed and lonely since he has no one besides Phoebe. Christmas is around the corner and Holden has no one to celebrate it with. The mood that is created by New York City is independence. It creates the mood of independence for example, Holden taking the subway at Penn station, taking a taxi cab to the hotels he stayed at, going to nightclubs which drinking Scotch and Coke, and thinking about going West so no one knew who he was and can he start over on life. New York City is a hectic, busy, and fast paced city, which could represent Holden’s state of mind and contributes to his being more mixed up. His state of mind is based on how depressed and lonely he is in the Big Apple. He acts on impulse, for example, telling Sally that he is in love with her and wants to move out West with her yet decides to blow the whole idea off when Holden gets irritated by her. The mood and Holden’s personality would have been entirely different if it were in a small, Midwestern town, which concludes that New York City is a great representation of Holden and his life.
ReplyDelete-Mikayla Abille
Aside from being known as the “Big Apple”, New York City is also coined for being “The City that Never Sleeps” and “The Melting Pot” for its never-ending bustling vibe and its integration of multiple cultures. Regardless of the time of day, it is clear that Holden easily finds places within the city that are full of life and color. Whether it is in the murmuring, cool energy of places like Central Park and the museum, or the bright sensations that one can feel from locations such as the carousel, there is no doubt that NYC thrives with the vibrant hues of living. Aside from the effervescent nature of this city, there is also “the melting pot” of traditions, cultures, and lifestyles -- all of which contribute to its overwhelming diversity.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Holden lived in this colorful environment implies many things such as opportunity and adventure; yet, Holden continues to struggle finding a place where he feels that he is truly accepted. In fact, he even struggles to find a stable sense of acceptance within himself. This may be because of the nature of the society that he grew up in, being that NYC is also known for glamour and wealth -- as such, his exposure to the superficial, “phony” qualities of the people around him probably made him feel confusion as to where he should place himself; that is, with the upper class that he seems to be so spiteful of, or the humble life of people like the nuns. Although, from what I can see, it seems that the busy energy of the city serves to be as some sort of metaphor for the life that he cannot keep up with, as he also debates between wanting to stay connected with his youth or to move into the new chapter of his life: adulthood.
Mr. Rodriguez also brought up the notion that the story took place in December. This plays an important part in how the story should be interpreted as the winter season usually represents one of two things: the primary image being the spirit of giving and joy because of holidays like Christmas and New Year, and the second being loneliness, isolation, and bitterness. In this case, the latter seems to be the most plausible reason behind Salinger’s implementation of the winter season since it emphasizes Holden’s feelings of helplessness and isolation throughout his search to find his identity.
When asked about the seasonal setting of the novel, I immediately thought of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is also commonly known as winter depression (although, there are cases of increased depression during summer, it is just more common for people to be depressed in the winter). I was curious about the effects of SAD and decided to do some research. According to the Wikipedia page on Seasonal Effects on Suicide Rates, "many people believe that suicide rates peak during the winter months... this makes sense given... the tendency to associate depression with winter." Although suicide rates are actually greater during the warmer seasons, this association between darker months and depression may be why Salinger set the novel during December. I do not think that this was to give the novel a dark and ominous mood, but to effect Holden, who displays signs of depression. As the main character and sole narrator, Catcher in the Rye is based on his perspective and outlook in life. The novel would be much different if Holden did not have such a pessimistic attitude.
ReplyDeleteThe setting is important to the plot because it sets the tone for Holden to tell his story to the audience. New York is supposed to be a place to have fun with friends but Holden is alone and throughout the book, he shows no interest for anything. Holden sets New York as a place with no emotion, using its urbanization to make it dreary and without color. He shows this hate for everything even towards people. Its very ironic that Holden labels just about every character he does not meet intimately is a "phony" to him. The setting also takes place in winter, which makes the tone more bitter. All these factors make Holden Caulfield's life suffering, or in his perspective, does he struggle to adapt to it.
ReplyDeleteNew York as people have said before is known to be a busy place that is overpopulated. The setting in my opinion is a great choice on the authors part. The deeper meaning behind New York helps to relate to Holden's feelings and his own life. New York for some people is seen as a place for a new start and where you go for direction in your life whereas Holden has no direction in life and views everything in a pessimistic tone. The part that makes New York so crucial for the plot is the sense of loneliness and depression that can be associated to Holden's own feelings. Even though it is an over populated state most people like Holden still feel alone and isolated. To continue on the note that the time took place in winter also extends to the feeling of cold isolation, during winter it is time to be with family for example Christmas but Holden feels as if he has no one to go to. For example when Holden arrived from the train he had to stand in the phone booth for a while and decide who to call. Even though he still had family in New York he still feels alone. Therefore New York and Holden are similar in the fact that everyone comes there to find their identity but for Holden he is still lost.
ReplyDeleteJ.D. Salinger choice of setting being New York was well used since he experienced it first hand and was best able to describe the lifestyle due to his him growing in Manhattan. Salinger gives a detailed description of Holden's surrounding using imagery throughout the book. Holden in a city filled with people which is exactly what he wants to escape, in being in such a dark place the city only is a reminder of a disappointment he is to his family. When alone he tries to make the best of his freedom by getting drunk and meeting his past friends, he sabotages the relationship and is back to being in the place he hates more New York. His hate for New York is conveyed in chapter 17 "Boy, do I hate it,...But it isn't just that. It's everything. I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison avenue buses, with the drivers and all always yelling at you to get out at the rear door, and being introduced to phony guys that call the Lunts angels, and going up and down in elevators when you just want to go outside, and guys fitting your pants all the time at Brooks, and people always...". The author creates this environment for Holden to be more sympathetic to the audience. The season winter which is usually characterized as a joyful time is now surrounded by darkness and cold which is also describes Holden as an Individual.
ReplyDelete-Jasmine Rivas
The setting of the novel is New York. For Holden, the big city is overwhelming. New York has a sense maturity and growing up. After reading the book, I viewed the setting as a symbol of Holden’s greatest fear: growing up. His fear(s) is shown throughout the novel especially when he converses with Sally about leaving New York. In other words, the setting represents all of Holden’s fears (change, growing up, loss of innocence). Any other time or place would have made a different impact. More specifically, the time at which this book takes place is the post-World War II era (1949/50). As many would know, atomic bombs were developed and were used to end the war. I believe Holden’s fear of “loss of innocence” is represented by this era and event. It would only seem so given the questionable morality of the atomic bombs. All in all, hIs feelings are specific to this time and place.
ReplyDelete-Hannah McElmoyl
first of all speaking from personal experience, New York is a very overwhelming and confusing place. so in that sense i guess it could contribute to Holdens mental state where as he is confused and overwhelmed by the idea of adulthood as well. i believe Salinger strategically set the story in New York in December in order to set the tone for the story. New York is a concrete jungle and gets blistering cold and frigid in the winter. the city coincides withe New Yorkers in Holdens story who are very self centered and are only interested in themselves.this is very important in the story because one of Holdens main problems that he struggles with is the feeling of loneliness and a strong need for companionship. the first person Holden meets in New York is a cranky cab driver that couldn't care less about Holdens or his contemplation about where the ducks go for winter. Holden is completely brushed aside and ignored and that is the first experience in New York that he has that foreshadows the rest of his journey. the three ladies,the prostitute, sally were all women that let him down and further crushed his hope of finding companionship or even just someone to talk to. the setting of this cold hard New York was meant to chew Holden up and spit him out back into reality. Holden had to make a journey through New York and have all of his experiences in order to reach his home and figure out his problems. the cold confusing city to me represented his mind and he had to travel through his twisted messed up head in order to reach the conclusion that he has to keep fighting and live on.
ReplyDeleteJasmine accurately identified the fact that Salinger grew up in New York, which enabled him to provide vivid descriptions of the scenery. However, I believe there is a deeper explanation to why New York was chosen as the setting. The fact that the story takes place in New York adds to the mood portrayed throughout the novel. New York is typically seen as a city that is inhabited by an enormous amount of people, thus contributing to Holden's feeling of isolation.
ReplyDeleteSalinger is making a statement. Being that one can feel lonely even when they are surrounded by hundreds of people. For example, Holden talks to a wide range of people, but always fails to establish genuine relationships. Holden continuously attempts to escape his feelings of isolation by inviting strangers to spend time with him, but is often denied. Similarly, time spent with individuals Holden appreciated often ended due to tension and disagreements. No matter how many people Holden encountered, he always ended up alone.
-Ingrid Reyes
This I can agree with as I do believe that the fact that Salinger was raised in New York had a lot to do with how well the setting was conveyed to the readers.
DeleteI also believe that the bustling and busy New York gave us something to contrast the main character, Holden, against. To allow us to see just how much he did not fit into the society of his home. People in New York are known to always be on the go which may be a reason it is so hard for Holden to develop sincere relationships. While he often isolates himself, he seems to want to escape this reality by surrounding himself with people he otherwise finds no pleasure in being around.
Holden is lonely even though he is not necessarily alone, and thats one of the hardest things to accept with this novel. To know that there are thousands of people around you, but you are still all by yourself. Holden lives a lonely existence.
-Jayla Hudson
The use of New York City as the setting is crucial to the novel in that NYC is so diverse. If the novel were to be set in a small Midwestern town, it would be unlikely that Holden would run into nuns, prostitutes, tourists, and taxi drivers in a few hours. All the characters are significant in Holden's thoughts and comments throughout the novel. New York City also is known for being gigantic and cold. With such a large city, the reader may feel overwhelmed with the setting. The overwhelming tone allows the reader to have a sense of what Holden is feeling. Being in a large city alone and with no guidance can be difficult to show through thoughts, so the setting pushes the reader to feel alone and scared as well.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that setting the city in December is crucial to the novel, because it establishes a certain mood. The cold weather in New York City could be symbolic for the city itself for being cold-hearted. As the plot progresses, Holden seems to encounter more phonies in New York City, which the weather could be symbolic of. Winter is also the season where the environment seems to freeze, just like the lake with ducks that Holden mentions throughout the novel. Freezing could be symbolic of Holden's desire to freeze time. Also, the specific time during the winter that the novel is set is during Christmas. The holidays are known to be symbolic of family and unity, however Holden is feeling the exact opposite of the holiday spirit. Instead of spending happy times with his family, he obviously has tension with them. Also, he is not jolly at all in the novel (excluding the end). Holden seems depressed and sad throughout the story, and thus it is a contrast between the environment and himself.
The city gives Holden an idea of what society is and how people interact within it. This has an effect on his mentality towards society as a whole and causes him to view them in a bad light. Because of the stereotypical view of New Yorkers in New York city, many people relate their mentalities with being self oriented in that they only look to gain as an individual instead of society as a whole. Holden's common use of calling people phonies can be attributed to this and also causes him to believe that all people are like them. The mood created by this environment skews towards brutal and unforgiving as Holden commonly sees the all for one mentality amongst the people in his surroundings. By being set in winter, this allows Holden to see the world in such a different aspect. This expands on Holden's inner emotions and affection towards the world. Most of which is actively denied or countered by his words or actions. This caring side of Holden can be seen when he asks what will the ducks do once the water freezes over. This little sentence seems somewhat mundane, however it symbolizes Holden's humanity, empathy for others and capacity for caring. And by being set in the winter the protagonist imagines what other creatures are going through knowing the harsh environment he is in, further emphasizing his true empathetic nature.
ReplyDelete-Mikayla Lubong
Placing the setting in New York, it adapts the story to a more fast paced kind of setting. I also talk in depth to how NYC affects the ambiance of the whole story in Post #3 NYC as a Setting. I was born and raised in New York, not to mention my birth was also during winter. New York is a place to get things done, people go there for work. Most people there care about what they need to do rather than what anybody else is doing, unless they have to care about what someone else is doing. During the winter, especially at night, the sky is pitch black unless you have really good vision to see the stars past the smog. Although, I grew up in the suburbs, I still remember having to speed walk with my mother in the city to get to places. You wouldn't bump into someone and stop to chat. You can't. If you were to do so, its like you have to walk and talk in order to get a conversation. Maybe it was just where I lived, at the time that was extremely busy because I know there are parts of New York City that is less active.
ReplyDelete-Carla Alipit Francisco
New York City is famous for its bustling atmosphere. Even back in the 1950’s, the city was synonymous with the huge rush of the crowd, with people always in a hurry to get somewhere. Life in the city is tough; one must be able to fend for themselves, or else they risk being left behind by the City That Never Sleeps. During his time in Manhattan, Holden experienced the life of an independent adult in what may be the most difficult city to survive in. I think that because the setting was in New York, Holden’s outlook on growing up and becoming an adult with numerous responsibilities was influenced by the extremity of the city. After his few days alone in Manhattan, Holden decided he wants no part in joining the adult force. I agree with my peers who stated that the passage from Chapter 22 in which Holden tells Phoebe of his desire to become the “Catcher in the Rye” may be one big metaphor for how he wants to save kids from running blindly off of the cliff and falling into the responsibilities of adulthood. Furthermore, I believe that Holden’s feeling of alienation was only deepened due to his inability to connect with any of the people he encountered. These people were preoccupied with some predetermined goal that they sought to achieve in New York. They had no time in their busy lives to stop and have a meaningful conversation with some lonesome kid they just met. Overall, the setting of Manhattan molds Holden’s perception of becoming an adult, causing him to seek refuge in becoming the “Catcher in the Rye”.
ReplyDelete-Noah Pasimio
New York City was chosen as the setting because it is a very well known city with a lot of people. As we see throughout the novel Holden hates people because they are "phonies" and New York City is filled with a lot a people that he could consider phonies which will help us visualize what type of person Holden is. New York City represents Holden's fear of building relationships because the city is filled with different types of people everywhere. When he tries to communicate with others, he usually fails because he is afraid of loss in the future. If the setting was in a much smaller city, it would not have the same effect because there would probably be less people, which means that Holden can avoid them easily. Although Holden seems to be cynical, we hope that him being in New York City will help him trust more people, but unfortunately that does not occur. Even though he does not trust many he did find himself in the city because he realizes what it is he wants to do, which is help children keep their innocence for as long as they can without being noticed.
ReplyDelete-Dariana Nieves
What the setting does for Catcher in the Rye is create the mood throughout the novel, as Mr. Rodriguez indicated. NYC, otherwise known as the Big Apple, has tall buildings, busy streets, and bustling crowds that keep the city in constant motion. This city has also changed in itself over the course of history having experienced the colonial times, war eras, economic booms, and industrial developments. New York City during the mid 20th century, which Salinger sets the novel in, struggled with emigration and deindustrialization and the face of NYC changed. Holden's mood is similar to the city he dwells in such that he seems to always be preoccupied with other things besides what he faces in the moment. In the novel, Holden will be talking to one character and then completely wander off in his mind onto something different.
ReplyDeleteSalinger, having lived in New York himself, could have used this setting in particular in order to create a busy type of mood throughout the novel. The city in December specifically is flashy and bright, and everything is big and elaborate from the trees to the store front displays. Holden notices some of these holiday adornments throughout the story and his mood slightly lightens up. The mood of the city does contribute to him being more mixed up because while he does seem enlightened in all of the bright lights of the holidays, he still has conflicting thoughts about what he is to do next. Holden, in the end, continues to be a complicated character with a mind as active and dynamic as the Big Apple.
-Leiana Lepule
New York City is one of the most busiest and active places to live and is a place with lots of diversity especially during the mid 20th century. The setting that Salinger established for this novel adds contrast to Hodlen's character because of how he is lost in a city where one is exposed to opportunity and experience. I believe that Salinger chose this city as the setting in order for the readers to establish the contrast between Holden and the city. He is a boy lost in a city where there is a lot to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Salinger sets the story-line in winter adds to the mood that the setting also sets. Winter is usually a more silent and calmer time and in some cases could be seen as a less happy time. I feel that this reflects Holden's emotions that he is experiencing with the the loss of his brother and thoughts about growing up. I believe that Salinger utilized the "Big Apple" and the the winter setting to emphasize the differences seen in Holden's character and to make clear that he is a lost boy in this city.
-Mariana Simmons
The New York City setting in this novel is definitely super important. I think the fact Holden finds himself living in such a big city adds on to him being "mixed up" , as Mr. Rodriguez pointed out earlier. A city like New York is very busy, and there are many types of people coming in and out of it, and also living in it. Holden is surrounded by this mixed environment, and yet he doesn't seem to fit into any part of it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, another aspect that contributes to the symbolic setting is the season. New York in winter is cold, covered in snow, and with many tourists coming in for holidays. However, just like a sunny setting may symbolize bright new beginnings, a cold setting with snow can mean the opposite. The fact the novel does not take place in a warm, sunny, and countryside town, contributes to the nostalgic, depressing, and uncomfortable mood of the novel. The setting contributes to the way the characters feel, and Holden specifically, being the main character, happens to be out of place, in a big city, with cold conditions, and a depressing feel to it.
When Holden is in the club, he describes it with different people, that seem to be lonely in a way. Also, when he meets the three women he doesn't describe them in a nice way, assuming that even though they are sitting together they are lonely, with no partners. He is alone as well, and I think the way he describes the places around him, and the city he happens to be in, adds on to the depressing setting of the novel.
On a different note, I have never read Hamlet, but from what has been compared between Catcher in the Rye and that novel, I find J.D. Salinger was inspired by it. I think a lot of Holden's hidden characteristics were influenced by Hamlet's main character, and also the things Holden experiences relate in a more modern way to Hamlet. Holden to me is a modern version of Hamlet's character, but ultimately represents a similar individual that is lost in the world around him and has such abstract thoughts that don't concur with what is considered "normal" in his time.
The setting NYC provides the nobel "Catcher in the Rye" with a unique sensation. When I think of New York City I visualize it full of action, people everywhere, and a fast pace sensation. NYC is a place like no other with a lot of movement. I believe that it is due to the setting that they story is very upbeat. Every chapter Holden Caulfield is doing something different and as a reader I enjoy it. I much rater prefer a story that is full of action and fast pace than one that is calm. Like my peer Ana said the weather also contributes to the story usually a sunny weather like the one that we have here in San Diego means a happy story and a story with cold weather and snow might actually mean the opposite, a sad story. In various parts of the story it is evident the sadness and depression of Holden that even makes him have suicidal thoughts. The setting also adds to Holden's character, since NYC city has busy streets and many people he gets used to judging everyone and calling them "phonies".
ReplyDelete-Agustin Richardson
As Agustin and Ana pointed out, New York City is known to be a city constantly in motion and filled with people. In a city condensed with so much people, it makes sense why Holden would want to venture around. Maybe Holden wanted to interact and connect with people in New York City or maybe he just wanted to look back at all the memories he reminisces about. It turns out that he views New York as a city of phonies and he thinks that by going to different bars and hotels he could get away from those that he finds phony.
ReplyDeleteAlso rightfully noted was the winter and its symbol for the novel.Just as Ana pointed out the winter could be harsh and unwelcoming and adds to the melancholic feeling in the novel. The mood would have been much story had their been a shining sun over a promising lake with ducks floating around. By placing the novel in winter Holden shares his curiosity about the ducks and allows us to see this new symbol. Holden knows they leave for the winter but that they'll eventually return just as he hopes that he will make it through the cold and lonely winter
-Alan Contreras
The city is relevant because it is full of chances and endless possibilities. Especially in New York, the Big Apple is in one of the most iconic and famous cities across America. Based on Holden’s pursuits, the possibilities for this sixteen year old boy seem infinite. From underage drinking, dancing with older women, and the encounter with a prostitute, one would think that Holden is happy with his independence. However, you have to take in this occurs around Christmas time. Christmas is a time of joy and merriment and involves spending time shopping and preparing for the holidays with the ones you love. Instead, he is all alone in the city and since Holden was booted out of yet another school I can imagine he would think he is not very welcome at home. So instead of New York being this place full of chance and adventure, it is a large and lonely place where Holden must reflect on his thoughts and constantly be reminded of the happy holidays while he’s alone. Perhaps this is why Holden goes so far as to drink illegally and pay for a prostitute, he wants to fill up the emptiness up with something. And since it is the big city, it is most likely he will be able to lay low and not get caught amongst all the other crime that belongs to the city. I believe the New York setting helps Holden into realizing he is very alone and isolated. Also, with all the other people he calls up throughout the novel I also have gathered that it also helps the reader visualize how sad Holden really is.
ReplyDelete-Caitlin Jensen
New York City is known as a populous place filled to the brim with people. The attitude of people there is generalized as busy and active. Everyone typically minds their own business and has something to do. This is what creates an atmosphere that isolates Holden. In addition to the mood of the city residents, winter is associated with coldness, bleakness. It exudes a feeling of distance, creating an uninviting feeling. This setting serves to accentuate Holden's personality of an outcast. It deepens the feeling that he does not belong with the people of the city; that he cannot rely on anyone but himself. His experience in winter is much more lonely than expected of a child. Typically, he is to be with his family, enjoying the holidays. However, he only seems to be alone and without the typical joy associated with the holidays. Rather than having the light of Christmas with close individuals, he experiences the dark of winter by himself. If it had been a warm June in a small town where everyone knows each other, Holden would not be as isolated as he is in the novel. He would be around people who know everything. He would not have the freedom to do as he wished. Elements that reveal that he is unattended in New York include his hidden smoking and drinking habits that is somewhat unknown to his parents. Overall, the setting is what allows Holden to experience all the negative elements of independence.
ReplyDelete-Bisheshata Basnet
In a city, exposure to negativity is easier to obtain than positivity. There are higher rates of homelessness, debauchery, and human trafficking, all of which is mentioned in the novel. New York in the winter is a cold time, and if you don't have the company of your loved ones, it doesn't make for a positive experience. However, Holden chooses this. He doesn't want anyone's company except for Jane, and his younger sister Phoebe. But he believes that will only cause more problems for himself, and chooses to do away with the idea. The novel is set in a place where things can go sour if you are on your own, and especially if you're making the wrong choices.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I agree J.D. Salinger chose New York because he grew up in Manhattan, so he fully understands it. New York City is a busy and fascinating place. It goes well with the story because Holden is a unique teenager who wants to go on an adventure, and New York is the perfect place for that.
ReplyDeleteNew York is a busy place, especially during December, due to the many tourists. This time and setting can influence Holden’s mind because he could be feeling lonely and sad. During this time, the weather is freezing, and everyone is celebrating the Holiday’s with their loved ones. Also, this is probably why he did not enjoy the Christmas Radio Music Show.
If the setting of this book was in a more quiet small town, it would not have the same effect. Holden would have different experiences and less opportunities to adventure out into the world and find his identinty.
- Janelle Douglas
identity*
DeleteHolden Caulfield goes from studying at a school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania to roaming the streets of New York City. I’ve never been to New York before, but how movies portray it, the city is very crowded and always alive. Most of the time when I see these movies, they usually take place during a nice, bright day. Of course, this novel would have an extremely different tone if it had taken place during mid-June. However, J.D. Salinger makes the setting more cold and dark by making it during December, around Christmas time to be exact. In New York during the wintertime, they do experience some snow and it can get pretty cold.
ReplyDeleteWhen the protagonist wonders about the New York City’s streets, readers sense some sort of loneliness. Holden walks around from bar to bar at a very late time at night and there are hardly any people out. This tremendously impacted the tone and made it quite a gloomy sort of one. In addition, I would like to add that this novel is set to be around Christmas time. For me, Christmas time is an opportunity for family to gather and spend quality time. I believe not only did the setting affect the tone of the book but also the character’s development. Unlike many families during Christmas time, Holden is very lonely and always finds himself quite depressed.
-Jocelynn Padilla
They call New York City "the City that Never Sleeps" for a reason. Anywhere you go, whether it is Time Square, Radio City Music Hall, Wall St., and no matter what time of day, there are always people roaming the streets minding their own business and living their own life. It is as though you cannot stop one person on the street because it is so busy and so alive. I believe this setting plays such an important role in the story because here we see Holden trying to draw life in a city that is full of it; yet no matter where he goes, and no matter what he does, Holden still feels alienated from the people there. If a person were to walk down the streets of Manhattan, it would be pretty easy to spot a man in a bright red hunting hat. The setting of this story compliments Holden so much because of the fact he is not your ordinary person roaming New York City. He stands out. If this story were to be set in Seattle, Washington, it would not be as spectacular because of how dreary and depressing that city is because of the gray clouds and rain. I felt as though Holden will relate more to Seattle because trust me, I was born there. But because it was set in the buzzling city of New York, we find him out of place more than ever.
ReplyDelete-Nathan Malicdem
New York City is notorious for being fast paced and vibrant. Feeling small and perhaps unimportant in the big, desolate city is not uncommon, as it is over-populated. This portrays isolation and, as a result, an emergence of the need for independence as instilled in Holden. Holden spends his nights wandering about the lonesome streets of Manhattan, hopping from bar to bar or hotel to hotel. As Holden does so, a feeling of instability and alienation washes over me, which is amplified one hundred times over considering this takes place over the holiday season. Personally, I believe that the holiday season is a time to spend with those who you love and who love you, whereas Holden is spend his time with neither, as he feels he does not belong. This loneliness consumes Holden and forces him to seek companionship in alcohol and further worsening his depression.
ReplyDeleteAs aforementioned, New York City is always bustling and moving fast. Holden wants to be "the catcher in the rye," protecting youth and innocence. In comparison to the big city, Holden probably feels that his adolescence is fading especially fast in such a city.
New York City is notorious for being fast paced and vibrant. Feeling small and perhaps unimportant in the big, desolate city is not uncommon, as it is over-populated. This portrays isolation and, as a result, an emergence of the need for independence as instilled in Holden. Holden spends his nights wandering about the lonesome streets of Manhattan, hopping from bar to bar or hotel to hotel. As Holden does so, a feeling of instability and alienation washes over me, which is amplified one hundred times over considering this takes place over the holiday season. Personally, I believe that the holiday season is a time to spend with those who you love and who love you, whereas Holden is spend his time with neither, as he feels he does not belong. This loneliness consumes Holden and forces him to seek companionship in alcohol and further worsening his depression.
ReplyDeleteAs aforementioned, New York City is always bustling and moving fast. Holden wants to be "the catcher in the rye," protecting youth and innocence. In comparison to the big city, Holden probably feels that his adolescence is fading especially fast in such a city.
NYC has always had this lonely aspect to me. So many people, most of which are strangers, and more coming in and out of the city as tourists that you will probably never get to meet. In winter, everything sort of blends together to create this grayish white atmosphere; the grey sky and buildings, the whitish grey snow, and black asphalt. It is pretty, but if you have nobody to share it with, it can also be very unsettling. Because of the busy atmosphere, people are always leaving and going somewhere else. There is rarely a chance to pause and have a genuine conversation with somebody. Because of this, relationships are kept minimal, and people are more content with being alone. This manifests itself in Catcher in the Rye often, send there are countless times when Holden stops to ask his conversation partner if they would like to talk a bit more, or especially if they would like a drink. Always, they assure him that they have somewhere to go. This no doubt helped with Holden's feelings of loneliness, as he never really was sought after for conversation or company in general. It gets to the point where he becomes desperate for attention, and is seen hanging onto every word that Luce says to him in the bar, prodding him on to the point of annoyance by the latter. This is also what drives him to ask Sally to marry him, when he knew deep inside that he did not love her in any form.
ReplyDelete-Kayla Manness
If I could stray away from the direct setting of the novel, I think a vital part of me connecting with this novel comes from the setting of my own life and the place I'm in, that changes my overall perspective of the novel. I've read this book at least a dozen times now, and each time I see the characters, the message, and the overall perception of the novel differently. When I am in a darker, less content place in my life I see Holden as unreliable, condescending, hypocritical and wasteful to name a few. I become irritated with the way he thinks, how he presents himself, how he is so quick to judge others but overcompensate himself.
ReplyDeleteWhen my life is less hectic, the opposite of New York City, I connect better with Holden. I see him as young, afraid, unsure of who he is and what his purpose is. His quick judgements of others is simply to mask his own insecurities. The way he discusses and views women is a direct reflection of the morals and values of the 1950's. He isn't a bad guy. He's merely lost, trying to find something that will hold meaning for him, in such a society where it's difficult to find.
The city plays a very prominent role in the book, it seems to mirror or symbolize the turmoil that resides in Holden's mind. Because the journey takes place in New York city, it seems to be very chaotic and alive, even in the middle of the night. All places that are available for Holden to visit are quite unique to New York city, especially because he happens to be a minor. The fact that it is December in the book also plays a very significant role on the setting and the mood. The cold and gloomy atmosphere emphasize Holden feeling depressed, at times, perhaps even enhance it. A clear example of Holden yearning for tranquility is when he speaks of living in a small town, where'd he build a small cabin "right near the woods, but not right in them, because I'd want it to be sunny as hell all the time" (258). Because New York city is so chaotically busy at all times, Holden cannot get a moment to relax, he cannot get a moment to return to sanity and therefore wants to live somewhere where it is not as blue as he is.
ReplyDelete-Rodrigo Blanco
New York is a bustling city filled with many events, and I was surprised to find out Holden was narrating from a mental institution. Holden at the end states how every event he has told us has happened and he's sorry he told so many people. Which was confusing at first to think why he would be embarrassed about his story in New York City. Later to figure out that Holden just wants peace and quiet, and New York City is not the place for that.
ReplyDeleteNew York is known for being a popular, big, and chaotic city. Because of this, I think the scenery definitely plays a huge role on the way Holden acts and also affects the mood of the novel. As I mentioned earlier with New York being chaotic, I think it doesn't give Holden much of a state of mind because things are endlessly happening and New York is a busy and loud city in general. Also, with having the novel take place around December, it gives off a depressing and sad mood to the story just as Holden describes certain situations in the novel.
ReplyDelete