Holdens Mentality in J.D. Salingers The Catcher In The Rye :: Catcher Rye Essays

Holdens Mentality in J.D. Salingers The Catcher In The Rye A youngish man going through puberty, not knowing what he is doing or where he is headed, becoming increasingly insane, in a world in which he feels he doesnt belong in, and around a bunch of phonies. This would describe the mooring of Holden Caulfield, the controversial protagonist and main character in The Catcher In The Rye (1951) written by J.D. Salinger. The book, both narrated by Holden in first person, in its rattling unique and humorous style, is about Holden, and all the troubles he has encountered through school, family, friends, and basically life. Holden has been expelled from a private school in Pennsylvania because of failing four-spot classes, and decides to go to New York for three days before going home to his disappointed parents. At the beginning of the novel, Holden seems to be like any other 16-year-old young man. But the novel progressively displays through various examples of symbolism that Holden has many problems coping with the world around him. These symbols represent Salingers ideas and concepts. Holden likes to reminisce about his childhood and visit the Museum of Natural History in Central Park. He loved to visit the museum, for many reasons, and he even said that he got very happy when he thought about the museum. He tells us of the symbolic details in the museum, by saying, The best thing, though in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobodyd move. Nobodyd be different. The barely thing that would be different would be you(121). Holden likes this kind of world, and wishes that he lived in it. He wishes things would stay unchanged and simple. Holden is almost scared by change, and cant handle the conflicts in his life. Another very symbolic example in the book is the title itself. On the first night of his three-night excursion, Holden decides to sneak into his house and visit his sister, Phoebe, who he adores very much. Phoebe asks Hold en what he would like to do with his life. Holden ponders the question and tells Phoebe about the poem, Comin Through The Rye by Robert Burns. He tells Phoebe, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobodys around--nobody big, I mean--except me.