1/2 through The Catcher in the Rye

            Holden is made into a very realistic character throughout the book. The author, J. D. Salinger has created Holden into a very realistic character, which has strong views on things, and most definitive of all, has a very interesting mood. The moods are always described vividly. At every point, Holden is very illustrative about his mood. Holden has a particular mindset, and it is easily disrupted. He feels depressed, or the same feeling I feel at a moment like that, but describe it as sticky, or ‘cold sun’ a cliché moment in which you see yourself, or an other person in Holden’s case as something different than human. As an object that is so pitiful and so typical that a shiver runs down your spine or a lump forms in your throat.

             Holden’s world is easily disturbed. On page 75, Holden thinks to himself, “…about getting up early to see the first show at Radio City Music Hall depressed me. If somebody, some girl in an awful-looking hat, for instance, comes all the way to New York - from Seattle, Washington, for Gods sake – and ends up getting up early in the morning to see the goddam first show at Radio City Music Hall, it makes me so depressed I can’t stand it.”  Holden is ‘depressed’ by any pitiful sight, and any socially grotesque thought. It made me think about humanity and society, and how this feeling is cultivated in the first place. On page 96, “…me feel sort of sad when I hung it up. I thought of her going into the store and buying it, and nobody in the store knowing she was a prostitute.”  Holden feels awkward and saddened by this sense of distinct corruption.    

            I have gained understanding about the feeling that I have come into contact with time and time again, but have yet been able to explain. It is pity, and while I do not know completely how to describe the vibe of it, I have gained some important aspects and vocabulary in my brain.

Note: I wrote this essay specifically on a feeling that is familiar to me, therefore I could be subconsciously adding in references or details that sound like nonsense. In this case, please point this out to me via comment.