An Analysis of the Protagonist’s Psychological Development in The Catcher in the Rye_英语论文

摘要

塞林格的《麦田里的守望者》是一部著名的成长小说,也是塞林格的第一部小说。这部小说因其对青少年成长过程中迷惘的关注与深刻理解，成为美国文学“现代经典”之一。它讲述了一个来自美国中产阶级家庭的十六岁少年霍尔顿因不适应环境，逃学去纽约游荡三天的所见所闻，从而发现成人世界的丑陋和黑暗。通过研读这部小说，我们可以窥见一个美国青少年寻求人生定位的心路历程——从反抗到妥协。霍尔顿从最开始的反叛和拒绝成长，到最后希望能成为一个麦田里的守望者，去保护孩子们的纯真。本文通过细读霍尔顿的经历与心理变化，分析他的心理发展过程，发现霍尔顿的成长历程。本文第一部分主要分析自身霍尔顿性格形象，以及家庭对他爱的缺失和他在学校不适应的状态，这一系列因素也为他后来的逃离创造了必要条件。第二部分分析霍尔顿的心理变化发展过程，从反叛逃离到接受成长。对霍尔顿来说，这个过程痛苦却又无法逃避，他只能选择接受。第三部分分析霍尔顿成长的心理发展过程的重要意义以及霍尔顿应对成长问题的策略。

关键词: 麦田里的守望者 逃离 迷茫 成长

Abstract

Written by J.D Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye is a famous novel. As the author’s first novel, with its deep understanding and concern for young people’s growing process, the novel becomes one of the “Modern Classics” of American Literature. This novel depicts Holden, a 16-year-old middle school student, from a well-off family, expelled from school after failed four examinations. He went to New York and began his life on the road. After his three days’ wanderings, he experienced the hypocritical side of the adult world and the ugliness of society. By reading this novel, one can find that an American teenager’s psychological development – change from resistance to compromise. At first, Holden refused to grow up. At the end of the story, he just wanted to be a catcher in the rye, which meant that he just wanted to protect children’s innocence. This thesis analyzes protagonist’s psychological development and tried to unscramble Holden’s growth experience. The body of this thesis is divided into three parts. The first part analyzed Holden’s personality, who lacked family love and was a misfit at school. The series of factors also created the necessary conditions for his later escape. The second part analyzed Holden’s psychological development which was from escape to acceptance. As for Holden, it was a painful process but he had to accept. The third part analyzed the significance of Holden’s growth and the strategies that he uses for growth. 

Key Words: The Catcher in the Rye; Misfit; Escape; Maturity  

Contents

1  Introduction 1

2  Holden as the Main Character in the Novel 4

2.1 Holden’s Lack of Family Love 4

2.2 Holden Being a Misfit at School 6

3  Holden’s Psychological Development 8

3.1 Holden’s Personality 8

3.2 Refusal: Living with Rebellious 9

3.3 Experience: Escaping from Home and Seeking for Love 10

4  The Significance of Holden’s Growth 13

4.1 Maturity: The Loss of Innocence 13

4.2 Holden’s Enlightenment on the Contemporary Teenagers 14

5  Conclusion 16

Bibliography 17

Acknowledgments 18