Archetypes in Catcher In The Rye

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.