Liking Holden Caulfield
Liking Holden Caulfield
J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye is considered by Time magazine to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. It has been banned more times than you could possibly count – which is no surprise, due to the abundance of profanity, under-age drinking, and elements of prostitution. Since its publication, The Catcher in the Rye has sold more than 20 million copies. Its themes of teen angst and alienation continue to entice audiences today.
The Catcher in the Rye is the story of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield’s wanderings through New York City after he is expelled from yet another prestigious boarding school. He is alone for most of the time; however, he constantly thinks about meeting up with people, desperate to make a human connection. For example, while riding in a taxi cab, Holden attempts to make friends with the driver. He says, "Well – take me to the Edmont then … and would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me.” At this point, Holden is desperate for someone to talk to. This is one of his first attempts to connect with another person.
However, every time Holden tries to connect with someone, he pushes that person away. For instance, Holden calls up Sally Hayes, a girl with whom he has had an on-again off-again relationship. He asks her out to a show and then they go ice skating together; however, he alienates her by going on a crazy tirade about wanting to move to a little cabin, then calling her “a pain in the ass.” Yet in the end, he misses all the people from whom he has estranged himself. He says, “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” This is the last line in the book, after Holden has told his whole story. By telling his story, he remembers all the encounters he had with people as he wandered around New York. He warns the reader not to talk about memories since they only remind you of what you no longer have. This can be uplifting – since Holden
J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye is considered by Time magazine to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. It has been banned more times than you could possibly count – which is no surprise, due to the abundance of profanity, under-age drinking, and elements of prostitution. Since its publication, The Catcher in the Rye has sold more than 20 million copies. Its themes of teen angst and alienation continue to entice audiences today.
The Catcher in the Rye is the story of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield’s wanderings through New York City after he is expelled from yet another prestigious boarding school. He is alone for most of the time; however, he constantly thinks about meeting up with people, desperate to make a human connection. For example, while riding in a taxi cab, Holden attempts to make friends with the driver. He says, "Well – take me to the Edmont then … and would you care to stop on the way and join me for a cocktail? On me.” At this point, Holden is desperate for someone to talk to. This is one of his first attempts to connect with another person.
However, every time Holden tries to connect with someone, he pushes that person away. For instance, Holden calls up Sally Hayes, a girl with whom he has had an on-again off-again relationship. He asks her out to a show and then they go ice skating together; however, he alienates her by going on a crazy tirade about wanting to move to a little cabin, then calling her “a pain in the ass.” Yet in the end, he misses all the people from whom he has estranged himself. He says, “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” This is the last line in the book, after Holden has told his whole story. By telling his story, he remembers all the encounters he had with people as he wandered around New York. He warns the reader not to talk about memories since they only remind you of what you no longer have. This can be uplifting – since Holden