The Catcher in the Rye

Who is Holden Caulfield? The narrator of The Catcher in the Rye has become one of the most infamous characters in American literature. Some view him as a symbol of the angst and emotions that teenagers experience. Others believe he is a spoiled brat. So who is Holden, a figure of adolescent tribulations, or a self-absorded droppout?

In several ways, Holden posseses the viewpoint of someone much older and more experienced than he is. He believes that there is almost no kindness in people. He can easily identify people's alterior motives, often calling them "phonies." He also seems to not want to have strong personal ties to anyone, not even his own family. He feels he can't rely on anyone but himself. This outlook on life is shared by many individuals who are Holden's age.

As mature as his persepective might make him seem, Holden is actually quite immature. When we meet him, he is flunking out of a school for the third time. This is not because he is not intellegent, but because he doesn't give any effort. Many teens have emotional issues, but it is not a good excuse to fail school. Holden is also a self-proclaimed compulsive liar. His belief that no one is genuine could simply be a reflection of his own personality and the front that he puts on. He acts tough, but cannot handle himself when he gets in fights.

The supreme example of his immaturity is the fact that by the end of the story he learns nothing from is experiences. So is Holden Caulfield some kind of culture hero? He seems more like your average loser.

**I would like my writing to be read for organization and originality. Other than that, anything else you think of is up to you =).**

The Death of a Salesman

" I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby

People of Willy Loman's type are truly a dying breed. Today, many people view success as becoming rich, obtaining the things they desire, and ultimately satisfying themselves. Willy Loman's view of success was quite different. While he worked very hard to make money, his greatest goal seemed to be to gain the respect and approval of all others around him. He needed to feel important and accepted in order to have peace of mind. When Willy began to feel like he was not wanted or respected, he began to self destruct. In his desire to constantly please others, he destroyed himself and greatly hurt his family.

Willy had a somewhat strange relationship with the members of his family, especially with his son, Biff. Willy's desire for success was prevalent in every aspect of his life. Biff was thirty-four years old and still did not have a respectable career. Willy most likely saw this as a reflection upon himself. He was very hard in Biff because in his eyes, his son's failure was his own failure. As if their relationship wasn't shakey enough, it took a turn for the worst when Biff discovered that Willy was having an affair. Biff could not understand why his father would do such a thing. I believe that this goes back to Willy's obsessive need to be wanted. Being desired by a young woman gave him a boost of self-esteem.

Willy also seemed to be somewhat controlling over his wife, Linda. At times it seemed as if he was listening to her, but in the end he got the final say. This unhealthy relationship seems to be the reason why Linda did not confront her husband when she discovered that he was trying to kill himself. If they had had a more equal and open relationship, she could have helped him overcome his need to please everyone. Maybe the death of this salesman would not have come in such a tragic way.