The Novel the Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

Throughout the novel The catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, protagonist Holden Claufield's reactions towards two of his teachers contrast one another, though these different reactions futherly prove his overall negative view on adults and the world around him. As Holden is preparing to leave Pency, he acknowledges his close relationship with his former teacher Mr.Spencer. Holden decides to formally say goodbye. Holden is well aware of his strong relationship he has with Mr.Spencer and looks past how old and 'gross' his teacher really is. While Holden is visiting Mr.Spencer at his home, Holden makes note of his teachers conditions and his old qualities, "I used to think about old spencer quite a lot, [...], you wondered what the heck he was still living for. I mean he was all stooped over and he had very terrible posture.[...] That's just awful in my opinion"(Salinger 6-7). The vocabulary Salinger has Holden use to describe Mr.Spencer suggests that Holden thinks of Mr.Spencer as old and gross. The reference to the word 'old' that Salinger over and over uses when describing this teachers, advocates Holden's fear of lack of wanting to grow up. Towards the end of the novel, Mr. Antolini is introduced by J.D Salinger as a teacher that Holden highly respects, unlike Mr.Spencer; Holden's views on Mr.Antolini are positive. While going to visit him, Holden shows much respect towards him by the way he highly talks of and describes Mr.Antolini, "He was about the best teacher I ever had, Mr. Antolini. He was a pretty young guy, not much older than my brother D.B., and you could kid around with him without losing your respect for him (Salinger 174). As opposed to describing Mr.Antolini as gross and old like he does to Mr.Spencer, Holden recognizes and admires how youthful Mr.Antolini is. The overall fact that Salinger uses the descriptive words such as old, young and kid to describe his teachers suggest that, Holden does not want to grow up and face the adult world. If it was to be made apparent that he did want to grow up, words and phrases such as "kid around" would not be of significance. It can be concluded, through the descriptive words Salinger has Holden use to describe his teachers, the way he feels about them, and so different the two teachers really are, despite the fact that they are both trying to help him. Holden's view on the two teachers differentiates greatly, perhaps due to the way the teachers address Holden as human. It is shown by Salinger the tone in which Mr.Antolini addresses Holden. Holden appears to listen, take in and respond to Mr.Antolini's kid friendly advice. Mr.Antolini, being young, is well aware of Holden's stress's and tries to ensure his words are made apparent to the way Holden views life and specifically education through his advice of; "[applying] yourself in school. You'll have to. You're a student- whether the idea appeals to you or not.[...] Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behaviour" (Salinger 189). Mr.Antolini addresses Holden as if he were giving himself

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