The goal of expectations is to create expectations that lead to a desired outcome. These expectations can be used to guide one’s actions and development as he or she tries to achieve the goal. In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield’s protagonist shows a variety actions. Some are comparable to Don Bosco Technical Institute’s Integral Student Outcomes. ISOs are skills that a student can expect to have once they have completed Don Bosco Technical Institute. Holden rides two young boys with him while he waits for Phoebe at the Museum of Natural History. He then takes them to the mummy exhibition, where they don’t know. Holden shows that he is more than just a catcher in the line. Holden is an example of Salesian Spirit’s ISO, who gives to others. Holden meets two nuns while he was eating at a sandwich place before his date to Sally Hayes. He is portrayed as kind and considerate by his donation of ten-dollars. Holden’s diction shows a more compassionate approach to talking to nuns than to school staff and others he finds phony. Holden sees Phoebe walking through the park and notices that a girl is struggling to get her skates tightened. Holden assists the girl with her internal conflict and helps her to straighten her skates. He is also an archetypal earthmother and shows his generosity to the youth. Holden’s goodwill towards his community is a manifestation of the Salesian spirit. Holden’s role as the catcher in rye is akin to that of a leader through the common motif of protecting innocent people from the corrupt world. Holden was having a conversation with Phoebe about the future. He revealed that he wants the catcher to appear from somewhere and “catch every one” if anyone falls off the edge. His images show that he is passionately interested in being the catcher and saving people before it is too much. Holden uses the analogy that people fall over a cliff to illustrate his ability to protect them from the evil world and show his future vision. After he’d had some time to reflect and think, Holden realized that he couldn’t stop Phoebe from getting the gold ring. He “must let them do it” even though they might fall off. He sees the world differently after his epiphany. Instead, he gives in to the temptation of protecting innocent people from harm and lets them explore the possibilities for themselves. Holden, at the beginning, was not willing to let children fail. But, he was capable of evaluating and synthesizing new information and changing his mind. This makes him a dynamic character. Holden’s good intentions are what make him a leader.
Holden compares flunking out with academically proficient to avoid conflicts. Holden was speaking to Spencer at Spencer’s home about the history exam he took, and Spencer stated that Holden had flunked him because Holden didn’t know “absolutely anything”. Holden was immediately labelled as someone who knew absolutely nothing. He also doesn’t have the college-preparatory curriculum knowledge. Holden allows his ignorance and internal conflict to rule him. He says that Spencer can fail, but this doesn’t show that he has any problem solving skills. Holden then explains why he was sitting at Thomsen Hill watching the football game. Holden comes across as a trustless narrator and can make mistakes, which is in contrast to the ISO of self reliance. The story takes on a unreliable tone, which makes it tempting to doubt certain details. Holden doesn’t have the academic skills necessary to solve many problems. Holden can be described as being the catcher and the tiger in the rye. Holden is waiting for Phoebe and plays with two young boys in Museum of Natural History. They are unsure where the mummy museum is so he leads them there. Holden Caulfield plays the protagonist in J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye. His actions are in stark contrast to Don Bosco Technical Insititute’s ISOs. Different traits and actions can be developed based upon goals and expectations. To be successful, your goals must meet or exceed your expectations.
