Is it really a phony world? - Game Script The Catcher in the Rye

Background

Holden is wandering in an adult urban world, trying to understand it. After a series of encounters with people, he concludes that this is a phony, cold, capitalist and materialistic world.

The four of you: his parents, his brother and sister - are very concerned. You think his perception of the world is wrong. He sees the world in black and white. However, things are more complicated.

You have gathered here to explain to Holden that the world is not as phony as he thinks...

Your mission is to conduct an honest and in-depth discussion with Holden, and explain your positions.

Characters

Mr. Caulfield Holden's father

Mr. Caulfield represents the American Dream: he is a very successful and wealthy corporate lawyer - a self-made-man. He is working fourteen hours a day away from home. It enable the Caulfields economic welfare and to send their children to private schools

Your Task

Your son feels that you have abandoned the family emotionally. Although you are a lawyer, you are using your profession to make money and not to seek for justice. Like all adults, you are a materialist and a phony person...

You think he's wrong.You worke hard to get what you have. It allows your children to live comfortably...

Resources

Scene - 01

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE: Themes, Motifs & Symbols - SparkNotes
Franklin and the American Dream | Individualism - CliffsNotes

Mrs. Caulfield Holden's mother

Mrs. Caulfield is holden's mother. Ever since she lost her younger son she is locked in a state of nervous exhaustion: She suffers from chronic headaches and she does not sleep well. She is depressed.

Your Task

You fill that Holden is emotionally distant from you. He is self- centered he does not understand you. You're still grieving over the death of Allie. There is nothing phony about it... You must tell him more about your feelings...

Resources

Scene - 01

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE: Themes, Motifs & Symbols - SparkNotes
The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief - Psych Central

D.B

DB is Holden's older brother. He used to write great stories, but now he became a successful Hollywood screenwriter!

Your Task

Holden used to say that you are his favorite writer, but now he thinks that you've sacrificed your art for money. He think you are the most phony person in the world! You must make him understand that Hollywood is meant to enable people to escape from reality, to make people happy!

Resources

Scene - 01

The Catcher in the Rye: Character Map - Cllifs Notes
Escapism - wikipedia

Phoebe Holden young sister

Phoebe is Holden’s ten-year-old sister, whom he loves dearly. She is intelligent, neat, and a wonderful dancer! Holden thinks that she is considerably more mature than him and that she is a voice of reason: She is honest and not phony like others.

Your Task

You're very worried about your brother Holden. He is unpredictable and he is acting strange! Since he trusts you, You must show him the right way. Not everyone is phony as he thinks!

Resources

Scene - 01

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE: Themes, Motifs & Symbols - SparkNotes
10 Reasons You Can’t Say How You Feel - Psych Central

Holden

Holden is a seventeen year-old high school junior who has flunked out of prep school several times. He went to a three-day journey in New York to seek answers to questions that occupy him.

He thinks the adult world is phony and refuses to grow up into it.

Your Task

You are a young man in search of his own way. The world around you seem confusing and lacking moral values. Your family members are busy for themselves. All this made you an emotional breakdown, but you recovered.

Now you are ready to talk with your family.

Resources

Scene - 01

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE: Themes, Motifs & Symbols - SparkNotes

Scene 1: Is it realy a phony world

1. Public Message

Holden came home, and finally all of you can talk about what bothers him.

His main argument is that this is a phony world. The adults live a material life, and their emotions are a fake!

You need to show him that things are much more complicated...

2. Private (Shortly After previous message)

Mr. Caulfield:

Mr. Caulfield, your son needs you. Holden is confused and it's time to explain yourself.

You need to make him understand that there is nothing wrong with having money and property... You have worked hard to achieve all you got and it enables your family to live comfortably...

Mrs. Caulfield:

Mrs. Caulfield, your son has distanced himself from you. Try to explain that you are still grieving over the death of Allie. It takes time... It doesn't mean that you care less of him!

D.B:

D.B, Your brother is disappointed because of you. Try to explain that writing scripts for Hollywood is an art as much as being a novels writer. There are different types of arts...

Phoebe:

Phoebe, you need to explain Holden that Even though people seem phony - it's just because they are afraid to show their true feelings... You can still grow-up and be an honest man - it's up to you!

Holden:

Holden, it is time to talk freely... Share your thoughts with your parents and your brother and sister...

People became phony because they live in capitalist world: there is no solidarity and they think only about themselves. They try to get more and more: money, expensive cars, power. They forget that there are others around them...

3. Private (Shortly After previous message)

Mr. Caulfield:

The American values emphasizes the individual initiative. Everyone has the right to be well off and physically comfortable...

If you work hard you can be independent and stand by your own two feet!

This is what you were trying to do all your life!