After J.D. Salinger died just over a month ago, I decided that I would re-read The Catcher in the Rye. I read it for the first time when I was in my mid-twenties, and found it all so phony (a pathetic attempt at literary humor, I know). I remember reading it and generally finding myself super annoyed with Holden Caulfield, the antagonist. My theory is that if you read this novel in your late teens, you’ll identify with Holden’s teen angst. However, if you read it a little later in life, like I did, I think you tend to find Holden to be a whiny, self-absorbed, condescending slacker.
(I’d love to hear your take on Holden Caulfield. When did you first read the novel? Did you like it? Hate it? Did you identify with Holden or loath him?)
Anyway, there are a couple of thoughts running through my head this morning…
- I did a little research, and in 1981, The Catcher in the Rye, was the most banned book in public schools, as well as the second-most taught book, at the same time. That’s interesting.
- Of course, in my parochial school high school, in the late 80′s, early 90′s, we did NOT read it. Personally, I don’t think I’d want my boys reading it until they are in their late teens.
- Who exactly is The Catcher in the Rye? I had a thought last night, as I finished, that it’s Phoebe, in that she saves Holden from himself.
- I heard once, somewhere, that The Catcher in the Rye has been a popular book among assassins. I’m not sure why, except that Holden is so immature, particularly in his relationship and judgment of other people, he’s prone to exaggeration, and hyperbole and that must somehow connect to people like Lee Harvey Oswald, Timothy McVeigh, and others. But I’m no criminal profiler…
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all i remember from reading that book was wanting to cuss a lot afterward. at least in my head.
I read it a few years ago wondering what the hype was all about and I was TOTALLY disappointed. I just don’t see it. Perhaps they need to make it into a movie? (he he)
I think that adolescents relate to it because of it’s similarity to that the angst, confusion, and awkwardness of the transition between innocense and adulthood. Holden is not dealing to well with the changes (plus he had a few dramatic changes prior to the books start) and as he himself becomes aware of the process, he tries to “hold-on” to the innocense.
Some kids can’t wait to grow up, always looking for the next phase in life. Others, and I know many, try to avoid growing up and “playing the game” of life.
I read the “catcher” as Phoebe too.
Lars is a similar character in “Lars and the Real Girl”.
I think I related to Holden in high school. Unpopular and awkward, I and a few friends found uniqueness in our biking and skateboarding. I still wear a red hat.
Read it last year in 20th Century American Lit.
What’s not to love about a kid who goes to bars and gets denied his whiskey-colas, but still dances with (apparently) 21+ year-old girls whom he finds mediocre? Hilarious.
I totally agree that he is self-absorbed and slightly annoying, but you can’t blame him for not wanting to grow up. I myself have failed at my attempts to stop the process!
However, I also believe that the most pivotal point in the novel is where Holden finally articulates why he hates his schools and distrusts his peers. He has never gotten over his classmate’s “suicide.” He heard a friend’s body hit concrete while Holden was in the shower. Also this classmate was an outcast pushed to the brink, literally, by a group of bullies. Now Holden has issues relating to the world around him, which is terrifying after seeing one horrific result. To articulate this further, Salinger also has the victim wear Holden’s sweater at the time of death. In his peer, Holden sees himself.
The genius is in Salinger’s writing! Holden, indeed prone to exaggeration and hyperbole, is writing this all after receiving some help and his redemption from Phoebe. Still, his narrative is distrustful and contains only what Holden gives the reader. The novel seems like a merry-go-round of non-events, but these instances trigger some allusion to the answer to the question “What the heck is wrong with Holden Caulfield?”
I will always defend Holden. I miss lit class.