An Analysis Of Holden Caulfield

An Analysis Of Holden Caulfield The mind of a teenager is a very complex organ that has various sections, each specifically designed to deal with an assortment of different problems which that person happens to be encountering. Although this very powerful organ is capable of handling a plethora of different tasks, it can fail when faced with plenty of problems in such a short amount of time. Thus, in order to determine what is wrong with an individual, one must study the events that would have the greatest toll on the human mind. In regards to the individual being a teenager, the different range of events is narrowed down even more. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is notably affected by death, social rejection and abuse, and abandonment. Death is one of the worst events that an individual can experience and in Holdens case, death is very prevalent. The most impacting death that affects Holden is the death of his brother Allie. This is evident when Phoebe asks Holden to name just one thing he likes, to which he responds I like Allie. I said. And I like doing what Im doing right now. Sitting here with you, and talking, and thinking about stuff (Salinger 11). Holden constantly mentions how much he misses and loves Allie which lead the reader to interpret that Allies death changes Holden for the worst. From what Holden mentions to Phoebe, the reader can also see that he likes being able to discuss and let out all of the feelings he has been holding in. In addition, Holdens worry about what happens to the ducks and fish in Central Park during winter time shows how death has been a constant concern in his mind. His worry about death is also show when he mentions he wants to be a Catcher in the Rye to save the kids lives if they fall off the cliff. The society in which Holden lives in has a great affect on him, in that he feels alone and abused. From the very first chapter in this novel to the end, Holden is alone, watching others having fun. His unique personality makes him a socially awkward character, which is best seen in his encounter with the prostitute. Holden is also physically abused in this seen when he gets punched and later on in the novel by Mr. Anatoli. In Jenniffer Scuhuesslers article, she mentions that Holden would not have felt so alone if he were growing up today. After all, Mr. Salinger was writing long before the rise of a multibillion-dollar cultural-entertainment complex largely catering to the taste of teenage boys. This is true because during the mid-twentieth century, there was not exactly a norm for teenage boys to follow. Holdens case is even worse since he was constantly moving for a different school, never being able to actually settle down and blend in with other kids. From the first school Holden goes to he feels abandonment, whether it was by his parents or from the kids around him. The abandonment by Holden feels from his parents is so strong that the reader hears very little about them and when Holden does say something it is usually negative. Lisa Privtera agreement with this statement is shown when she says Family has failed Holden. That is, all except his ten-year-old sister, Phoebe. The constant rejections Holden experiences, whether it is by the phone or in person, are so dreadful that Holden can only interpret them to the other person being a phony. Towards the end of this novel, Holden basically gives up on trying to fight abandonment so he decides that he will live out in the West all alone as a deaf-mute. Death, social rejection, abuse, and abandonment take a heavy toll on Holden, especially since their effects occur in the span of eight years. His diagnosis can best relate to the post- traumatic stress disorder that soldiers face after returning from war due to the similarity in symptoms. The first symptom, frightened thoughts, is easily visible towards the end of the novel when Holden speaks to Allie because he is scared that he will disappear while crossing the street. The second symptom, hyper arousal, is present throughout the entire novel and is the cause for Holdens social rejection. In addition, he is always having trouble sleeping and is always in an angry mood. Lastly, indifference and avoidance are very prevalent as Holden is alone a significant amount of the novel in addition to the carelessness for his future.

Don’t Waste Your Life

Piper, john. Don’t waste Your Life. Wheaton, Illinois: Cross Way Books:2003, Pgs 191. Since 1980, John Piper has been the pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in the heart of Minneapolis. Purpose of this Book and Summary The main purpose for which John Piper wrote this book was to help Christians and non Christians to not waste their lives (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). John Piper wants all people to know the purpose for which they were created and to live for it. Furthermore, John Piper tells us that we belong to God; we do not belong to ourselves because God bought us at a price.It is not all about how to avoid a wounded life but how to avoid a wasted life. The Bible is crystal-clear: God created us for his glory. Thus says the Lord â€Å"Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by name, whom I created for my glory† (Isaiah 43:6-7). Life is wasted when we do not live for the glory of God. The Bible says that, yo u can give away all that you have and deliver your body to be burned and have not love (1 Corinthians: 13:3). If you don’t point people to God for everlasting joy, you don’t love. You waste your live.The opposite of wasting life, is the living life by a single God-exalting, soul-satisfying passion. The well-lived life must be God-exalting and soul-satisfying because that is why God created us (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 90:14). Oh, how many lives are wasted by people who believe that the Christian live means simply avoiding badness and providing for family. So, there is no adultery, no stealing, no killing, no embezzlement, no fraud, just lots of hard work during the day, and lots of television and videos, and lots of fun stuff on the weekend, woven around church (mostly).This is life fore millions of people. Wasted life. We are created for more, far more If we desire that there be no boasting except in the cross, then we must live near the cross, indeed we must live on the cr oss (Gal 6:14). Boasting in the cross happens when you are on the cross (Gal 2:19-20). â€Å"I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life and now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. † Living magnify Christ is costly. This is not surprising. He was crucified.He calls us to follow him. †If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me† (Mark 8:34). A life devoted to making much of Christ is costly. If our single, all-embracing passion is to make much of Christ in life and death, and if the life that magnifies him most is the life of costly love, then life is risk, and risk is right. To run from it is to waste your life. Major Themes Some of the themes discussed in this book: boasting only on the cross, the blazing center of the glory God, better to lose your life than to waste it.John Piper presented these themes beau tifully under captivating sub topics in the book; each of which warms up the heart and also challenges not to waste his or her life. There is really no story line from my point of view, but that change the fact that the themes have been treated through well organized thoughts. Evaluation Don’t Waste Your Life to me is classic. I say so because, when you read each page, you feel like you are not living up to expectation, it like you are not doing as much as you ought to be doing.The book is so inspiring so much so that it gives a new challenge, and rekindles a dying zeal. The book makes one feel like one needs to rededicate his life to Christ and start afresh. John Piper makes one feel if a second chance to born again physically in order to make up for the wasted years, one would hesitate to grasp that chance. The book does not leave anyone indifferent, whether believers or unbelievers. The book addresses every society and culture, that is, it applies across cultures.The syllo gism in the introduction of chapter five that says: If our single all-embracing passion is to make much of Christ in life and death and if the life that magnifies Him most is the life of costly love, then risk is right. To run from it is to waste your life. This syllogism seems to me to be the core of John’s thought in this book. Those who think that Christianity is bed of roses can get from this book with biblical backings that there also the aspects of suffering in it. Application This book was like a reminder to me, from now, I know that I must be accountable as to how I use or spend my time.I have come to realize that there are thing s one may be doing thinking that they are important thinks in the side of God, just to realize after that it was a total waste of time. For example, the numerous church programs that we have that do not readily point people to Christ, rather, some even discourage people from following Christ. I will not waste my life. I recommend this book to all Christians regardless of their positions in Church. This book will be of help to non-Christians as well.

Hockey’s Influence on Canada Essay

Sometimes it is easy to forget the game played on frozen ponds and backyard rinks, and get lost in the overwhelming professional sport known as hockey. However, we strive to remember that hockey became Canada’s game because it made our never-ending winter months more bearable . The game gradually became a sport, then an entertainment industry. It seems like the lockout was one of the biggest news stories of the year. Part of the amazing nature of the game is that it’s origins are fairly vague. However, we always remember that hockey is our game. It may not be our official sport, like lacrosse is, but hockey is what Canada seems to be most well-known for, and it continues to have immense influence on our free society, with its unique style and attraction. We invented it, we had the best players, and have so many cultural ties between the game and the people. Hockey has had and still has an incredible influence on Canadian culture. Canadians are hockey crazy. The people love the ever-changing game, and the land and the winter are every where. One reason why everyone is so attracted to it is that we really needed a sport we could claim as ours, that we could play yearlong. Canadians are out where they shouldn’t be, doing what to others seems to make no sense. Only a few scruffs of trees and buildings distract the eye from its vastness. What we needed to tie us together had to have a feeling that travels throughout the country with attributes we all have in common, things we care about, things that help us make sense out of what we are. It is a hard feeling to achieve. It seemed that so much about Canada set us apart: topography, distance, language, climate, rivalries and cultures. Hockey became a winter passion for both players and watchers. It kept coffee row humming. It was a means of winter fitness, and the driving force behind the building of community centres, the way in which widely separate communities connected with each other. Before there were malls, kids would hang around in hockey arenas. Before Zambonis could be found in every hockey rink in our land, it was the kids who would fight for the right to clear off the rink so a barrel of hot water could be wheeled out for the flooding. The origins of hockey are vague, but it seems that the early game was a combination of lacrosse and rugby on ice. Not very exciting to watch, but  rugby and lacrosse players used it for winter recreation. The championship system spurred the game’s popularity. The Stanley Cup created natural rivalries between teams and cities. All the while, rules changed to make the game faster, rougher, and more exciting. Professional leagues grew all over the country. The great rivalries between Toronto and Montrà ©al drew in loyal, rabid fans [Dryden]. It is tempting to glamourize the years before the NHL expanded, and before the rest of the world discovered hockey. The terrific Canada-Russia series of 1972 showed that international hockey could generate the same excitement and fan loyalty as the domestic game. Canadian hockey fans remember with pride that hockey remains Canada’s most significant contribution to the world of sports. Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over one hundred years. Thousands play it, and millions follow it. Hockey’s evidences are everywhere. In Canada, hockey is one of winter’s expectations. It is played in every province and territory. It is hockey’s reach into the past that makes hockey such a vivid instrument through which to view Canadian life. In little more than a century, hockey has moved from pickup games on rivers to amazing games televised on Hockey Night in Canada. Another impressive detail we must acknowledge is that the games greatest players had pure Canadian heritage, which made hockey’s popularity soar. Canadians know that we’re good at what we do, and that’s why hockey has been incredibly important in our society. For instance, Wayne Gretzky. Born in Brantford Ontario, he is well known for his record-breaking all time point record of 1,850 goals. This fact is irrefutable. Gretzky also coached the men’s’ 2002 Olympic team [World Almanac & Book of Facts]. When he was traded for multiple Los Angeles players in 1988, Canada was set into somewhat of an emotional earthquake. This shows how dedicated we are to supporting our home-grown players. Another hockey great, who was purely Canadian, and proved his worth in the game of hockey, is the amazing Rocket Richard. He was known for his excellence, but was also just as well known for his great spirit and love for the game. He, as well as Gretzky, was given the honour of being among the best in the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1955, Richard was, without thought, suspended from the league, Canada, especially Montrealers, went into  complete uproar, inducing numerous death threats upon the president Clarence Campbell, as well as what has been called the worst riot in Canadian sports history. This example really shows how dedicated Canadians are when backing up their own players, the ones they know are the best. Yet another great example of hockey’s influence on Canadian culture is the legendary Bobby Orr. Orr was born in Parry Sound, Ontario, and was well known for his excellent defensive skills. Although Bobby played most of his career for Boston, he has not been forgotten as having Canadian birth, and that is something Canadians hold very important in their heart. They love him so much for his homeland, despite the fact he played for our toughest opposition. He is another great player that attracted a lot of attention, specifically in Canada, to the game. That attention still lives on. Another profound reason for hockey’s great influence on Canada is that there are so many cultural ties from our society to the game. A great example of this is Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons has one of the most successful marketing operations in Canada. Tim Hortons stores are plentiful in Canadian cities and towns; it is said that you can find one within four or five blocks wherever you are in any city. The chain has expanded aggressively across urban Canada and also into small rural towns. There are now over 2,350 outlets in Canada. [Skogan] Due to its powerful and effective branding, â€Å"Timmy’s† has established itself in the top class of restaurants in Canada and in the heart of Canadian culture. Tim Horton, the founder of the chain, was known for his excellence on the rink as a professional hockey player. Because one of hockey’s greatest players founded the most well-known food chain in Canada, it gives it another tie to Canadian culture, which weaves into people’s lives, even when they go to buy a coffee or donut. One also associates the game of hockey and the NHL with Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC). A cultural institution since it was first broadcast on radio in 1933, HNIC has been a TV mainstay since 1952 and is today one of those rare programs that still appeals to a wide cross-section of the population, and draws around 2.1 million viewers a week on average [Cox, Damien]. The satisfying double-header of hockey action is drawing roughly 6.7% of the nation’s population. That is, until the lockout, which is driving Canadians mad. Another instance of our life without hockey is how angry the hockey fans were when they learned that Ron Maclean, sidekick to Don Cherry, was not to get his contract renewed as the program co-host for the 2003 hockey season. CBC was blanketed with thousands of complaints and petitions when they made the press release, and they lost the support of the executive producer of HNIC, Joel Darling [Wilson-Smith]. From this it is obvious Canada backs HNIC with love, and HNIC is just one foundation that makes the game’s impact and grip so strong on Canadian culture. Finally, one of the greatest reasons why hockey has such an influence on Canadian culture is because we have been lucky enough to have experienced culturally defining moments within the sport. Hockey has been enjoyed for approximately a century now, and that left many opportunities for our athletes to shine at our favourite sport. The 1972 Summit Series was probably the most recognized milestone in Canadian hockey, when Canada’s best played eight games against Russia, with the final game being won by Paul Henderson of Canada, in the last few seconds, for a 6-5 win, giving them the series [Wilson, par. 10]. Another great example of how crazy Canadians have been for hockey over the years is the 2002 Olympic Gold. It was an excellent win over the U.S, and re-established our reign of power in the hockey world. Within the excellent story of the ’02 gold medal, there is a more heartfelt story of Trent Evans, an ice-maker, who embedded a loonie at centre ice, for a little extra luck [Proctor]. This dedication is what helps Canada stand out, and what gives it aa place in our culture today, because of all the amazing moments in the past. Hockey has had and still has an incredible influence on Canadian culture. So many things factor into Canada’s fascination with the sport of hockey. We discovered it, and took the time to practice and dedicate ourselves, giving us some of the best players in history. We linked our country as a whole to the sport, fortifying it as a national symbol, and we succeeded, with many  moments that stand out in hockey history, to reminisce, and reflect on for the future. It’s a wonder why it isn’t our national sport.

Essay on Roots of American Democracy - 2355 Words

When referring to classical antiquity period, most think of Greece and Rome dominating and flourishing in the areas of philosophy, sciences, mathematics and literature. One other admirable achievement, the establishment of early forms of democracy, came from this time period and should not be overlooked as it is the historical basis of our government today. The Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by Greek and Roman concepts in law, government structure, and even philosophy. Concepts described in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States can be traced back historically to the classical antiquity period, and show that the United States government and law were modeled after those of Greece†¦show more content†¦The Athenian city-state had originally been divided into four tribes based on family relations, and as a result, these families formed clans which led to tyranny. Cleisthenes organized the people of the city into ten trib es according to their deme, or area of residency. He also formed the Assembly, made up of free men given the right to vote (The Greeks - Cleisthenes). This group of men met regularly to discuss and vote on the proposed laws for the city, and therefore decided on the policies that would govern their own behavior – known as participatory direct democracy. The laws were proposed by the Boule, made up of five hundred men chosen at random, and were put in the city for all to see. Each man in the Boule served a one year term, and could serve a maximum of two terms in their lifetime. The Boule was stressed to follow the Bouletic Oath - â€Å"To advise according to the laws what was best for the people† (Blackwell, 2003). By implementing democratic reform, Athens was ushered into a period of achievement and prosperity. 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