The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger
In J.D. Salinger's 'catcher in the rye' a troubled teen - Holden Caulfield finds the transition between childhood and adulthood, disconcerting. Set in the 1950s, Salinger explores the perplexity of growing up and leaving the innocence of childhood. Holden's interactions and relationships with individuals gradually reveal his cynical nature and idealistic fantasies. Salinger exploration of self-discovery and alienation highlights the difficulties of adolescence.
Holden is initially introduced as a stereotypical teenage boy- as he talks about his family, school and girls. However, as the novel progresses Holden is gradually revealed as a pessimist - who wants to escape the responsibilities of adult life but at the same time yearns for independence. The language such as “lousy”, “phoney”, “crap” used …show more content…
Whilst Holden visits Phoebe he explains this idealistic fantasy to her.
"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids[...] And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff.[...]I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff[...] That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye, and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy."
Here Salinger is highlighting Holden's unrealistic fantasy. It appears Holden pictures himself in a field of rye, saving children from falling off the 'cliff'. This image suggests Holden actually wants is to prevent the innocent children from indivertibly falling into adulthood. Holden likewise wants to prevent himself from falling into adulthood and this fantasy characterises him as a idealistic and impractical boy. Holden's lack of maturity is emphasised in another aspect.
In the same chapter Phoebe acknowledges Holden has misheard the lyric. He thinks the line is “If a body catch a body comin’ through the rye,” but the correct lyric is “If a body meet a body, coming through the
Holden is initially introduced as a stereotypical teenage boy- as he talks about his family, school and girls. However, as the novel progresses Holden is gradually revealed as a pessimist - who wants to escape the responsibilities of adult life but at the same time yearns for independence. The language such as “lousy”, “phoney”, “crap” used …show more content…
Whilst Holden visits Phoebe he explains this idealistic fantasy to her.
"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids[...] And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff.[...]I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff[...] That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye, and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy."
Here Salinger is highlighting Holden's unrealistic fantasy. It appears Holden pictures himself in a field of rye, saving children from falling off the 'cliff'. This image suggests Holden actually wants is to prevent the innocent children from indivertibly falling into adulthood. Holden likewise wants to prevent himself from falling into adulthood and this fantasy characterises him as a idealistic and impractical boy. Holden's lack of maturity is emphasised in another aspect.
In the same chapter Phoebe acknowledges Holden has misheard the lyric. He thinks the line is “If a body catch a body comin’ through the rye,” but the correct lyric is “If a body meet a body, coming through the