Archetypes are groups of plots, characters, and situations,
that follow a certain trend or certain traits. In the book The Catcher in The Rye Holden can fit into the Quest archetype as
he is searching for his own motivation, happiness while looking for the
unadulterated and pure innocence. This can be seen as Holden attempts fill his
lonely void with a prostitute; looking for a conversation, acceptance and his
happiness, but fails. Mr. Antolini can be found with the Task archetype as he
has the task of straightening Holden and to guild him along the right path, he
also fits the Mentor
character archetype. the Unhealable wound, situational archetype applies to
Holden as he is scarred for life from Allie's death, metaphorically, with his
mental health and inability to hold friendships, and literally, as he cannot
form a fist due to his hand injury during his breaking of the garage windows. Holden
also fits the character archetype of Outcast as he is expelled from Pencey and
generally is not talked to.
It is very clear that Holden goes on a quest during the
story The Catcher in The Rye as he is
searching for Purity and innocence as well as companionship and happiness.
Holden’s quest is not for physical items, but it stills the situational
archetype of Quest as what he is looking for will benefit himself and the ones
around him. Holden’s Quest brings him to many places and he gains many experiences
as if the Quest was for an item. All the aspects of a Quest archetype are
there, the only difference being his search is for purity and not an object.
