A major theme of J. D. Salingers novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is turning your back on the world is not good. The teenage boy Holden Caulfield demonstrates this theme in the story with the constant negativity he receives as result of his negative attitude. When someone turns their back on the world the consequences are bad. Holden shows this by slacking off leading to his expulsion from school. They gave me frequent warning to start applying myselfbut I didnt do it.
So I got the ax. Holden proves this theme once more by vandalizing in a fit of rage over the death of his little brother Allie. I was only thirteenI broke all the windows in the garage. Even when Holden does not express his negativity physically he expresses them mentally. Im always saying Glad tove met you to somebody Im not at all glad I met. I felt more depressed much more depressed than sexy. When a young man turns his back on sex there is definitely something wrong.
Even chances for great friendships are ruined when Holden turns his back on a former roommate. But I roomed with him for about two whole months, even though he bored me till I was half crazy, just because he was such a terrific whistler. A chance for romance is ruined also when Holden is annoyed by the supposed inane conversation of his date Sally. You give me a royal pain in the ass The characters in the book are not oblivious to the fact of Holdens back turning and negativity.
Holdens little sister Phoebe could see that he turned his back on school after Holden sneaked in her room early for holiday break. You did get kicked out! His old teacher and good friend Mr. Antolini saw that he had a tendency to turn his back on the world too. I can very clearly see you dying nobly, one way or another, for some highly unworthy cause. Holden finally realizes too that turning his back on people isnt good. Dont ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.
All the examples of Holdens back turning in the story show how negativity pushes people away. It teaches people to be optimistic and open about yourself, others, and society as a whole. No society is perfect but try to make the most of it. When people turn their backs on the world the consequences are harsh because when the day comes that you need help, theyll turn their backs on you. If people looked at the world in a more positive light there would be less people thinking their life and the world is a bitch and less people would think of suicide.