Jerome David Salinger was born in New York, New York, on January 1, 1919. He was the second child and only son of Sol and Miriam (Jillich) Salinger. Like most sons of upper-middle-class New York families, Salinger spent his summers in New England camps. Salinger attended high school at the famed McBurney school, a private school, where he flunked out after a year. While in high school he belonged to numerous clubs, and was the literary editor of the academic yearbook senior year. He enrolled at ursinus college in collegeville PA, but only remained there for one semester before returning New York where he enrolled in Whit Barrett’s course in short story writing at Columbus university. He spent some time in Vienna, Austria, and Poland learning German and the ham business. Salinger had an unsuccessful love life; both of his marriages ended in divorce. Salinger is best known for not wanting to be famous, and he currently lives in New Hampshire, continually shunning all public attention.
What brought Salinger to publicity was his writing. Started off this career by writing short stories. His first story “the young folks” was published in 1940. In 1941 he worked as an entertainer on the M.S. Kungsholm a Swedish liner, and in 1942 he was inducted and attended the officers; first sergeants, and instructors school of signal corps. He published in Collier’s Story and in Saturday Evening post, Made a living by selling stories to so-called “slicks”, amd eventually settled down to produce stories exclusively for the New Yorker. On July 16, 1951 Salinger’s famous novel, The Catcher in the Rye, was released.
Edwin J. Barton and Glenda A. Hudson define modernism as the following, “International literary movement that flourished from the 1880’s to the end of WWII” (22, 121). During this period the horrors of the First World War deepened the loss of faith. This loss of faith is embodied in the character of Holden, who is often depressed, lonely, and mourning over the loss of his brother. Modernism also introduced radical experiments in literary techniques which were expressed by new styles and structures. For example, modernistic writers tended to abandon the traditional rules of syntax and continuity, often offering fragments and disordered narratives. Barton and Hudson also said, “Readers were expected to act as literary detectives capable of tracking down allusions and discovering hidden meanings in the rotations between the parts” (22, 123). Just as the reader was expected to interpret hidden meanings while reading The Catcher in The Rye. The character of Holden also shows how human experiences were represented as nonlinear, relative, and subjective.
An antihero is a protagonist who is a non hero, or the antithesis of a traditional hero. According to Literary Terms and Definitions, An anti hero may be “incompetent, unlucky, clumsy, dumb, ugly, or clownish” (20, 25). Harry Shaw defines an antihero as, “A character who lacks the qualities needed for heroism; an antihero does not possess nobility of life or mind and does not have an attitude marked by high purpose and lofty a name” (23, 25). An antihero is not the villain, but is more towards the cynical end. He/she is a moral misfit, and may be preconventional, postconventional, or unconventional. Holden
Holden’s hunting hat serves as a symbol for several things throughout the novel. Holden admits that he likes wearing his hat in an abnormal way. This shows how Holden’s hat is a badge of his “deliberate nonconformity” because he likes how it clashes (16, 12). It also suggests that his values are the reverse of everyone’s because he likes to draw attention to himself by wearing the hat backwards. Trent Lorcher says, “He mentions the hat every time he wears it, symbolic of his desire to mention how independent he is” (8,2). For example, this is shown when Holden says, “I took my red hunting hat out of my pocket and put it on – I didn’t give a d*** how I looked. I even put the ear laps down” (13, 98-99). Holden knows that his hat looks corny, but he does not care what other people think about him. The hat also serves as protection, from both nature and society. The hat has protected Holden from rain, snow, and cold on several occasions and gives him isolation.
The catcher in the rye is the most important symbol in the novel and reveals a lot about Holden as a character. He describes his dream as the following:
“I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around – nobody big, I mean – except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy Cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff – I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them” (13, 191).
In Holden’s dream the children represent childhood, the field represents innocence, the fall from the cliff symbolizes the fall from innocence, and Holden represents the attempt to shelter children from losing their innocence, or growing up. As a whole, Holden’s dream represents his desire to avoid the the real life choices he needs to make. Holden’s avoidance of adulthood and his resistance to the “phony” adult world is setting himself up for a fall because he is going to have to grow up eventually (8,2). Holden’s want to be the protector of innocence and to spare children the pain of growing up and facing the world of Squalor shows both his kindness and unselfish character. Holden is not ready to shed his innocence because those that have seem foolish and corrupt to him. Holden begins to realize that if he wishes to protect others’ innocence, he must leave innocence and his unrealistic ideas to face the adult world. By the end of the novel he realizes that kids can not grow up if there’s always someone to protect them. Holden gives up his dream and is ready to make a realistic choice about what he wants to do with his life. Domenic Bruni also says, “Only by facing the world and loving it indiscriminately can anyone hope to live fully within it and have any hope of changing it ” (3, 2936).
Holden describes the several times he has seen obscene language written on walls; twice in Phoebe’s school and once in the museum. Holden’s first response is to erase the words and pretend that they were never there. The first time that Holden sees this obscene language it is written in crayon, and is easily erased. The second time he sees this language it is scratched into a wall with a knife, unable to be removed by Holden. He realizes that even if he had a million years he could not erase half the signs in the world. The third time he sees the obscene language is in the Metropolitan Museum of art and it depresses him because he realizes he will never find a place that is quiet and peaceful because there is no such thing. He repeatedly tries to rub the obscene words out so the kids won’t be exposed to them, which represents Holden’s inability to prevent the loss of innocence in others, and is symbolic of all the negative things Holden wants children to be protected from. However, when he sees the words that he can not rub out, he realizes children can not be protected from everything, and that he can not escape to a place free from obscene language. The taunting nature of the phrase represents Holden’s ability to protect himself from the trails of adulthood. He even has a violent response the first time he sees the obscene language, saying that he wants to kill whoever had written it. Holden’s violent reaction to the words symbolizes his romantic, idealistic, and charitable impulses, particularly to protect young children and their innocence, and shows his commitment to the values he thinks are threatened by the graffiti. Through these simple actions, Holden is making the world a better place.
The Museum of Natural History is the museum in New York that Holden visits while searching for Phoebe. This is one of the few places that Holden feels truly happy and it symbolizes his desire for things to remain the same. Holden expresses this desire when he says, “The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was…” (13,135). Holden comes to the conclusion that “Certain things they should stay the way they are. You want to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that’s impossible, but it’s too bad anyway” (13,136). By saying this, Holden is indicating that he is troubled by change. However, he knows that he can’t help changing as he grows up, but he wants the things he likes to be exempt from change. He also acknowledges that people visiting the museum change, which contributes to making the museum different every time.
Several times throughout the novel, Holden shows concern for the ducks who live in the Lagoon near Central Park. He asks two New York cab drivers if they knew where the ducks go in the winter when the lake freezes over. Eberhard Alsen says, “When Holden wonders about the fate of the ducks, he is really wondering if there is some benevolent authority, some, God, that takes care of humans just as the zoo employee takes care of the ducks” (16,13). Holden’s concern for the well being of the ducks also illustrates his compassion for all living things. It is suggested that the ducks represent Holden, who also feels he has no place to go and is being “frozen out” (16,12). The fact that the ducks return to the pond bings Holden some consolidation because the change in the pond is temporary, which stands in contrast to the permanent loss he experiences with the death of Allie.
The carousel in Central Park is also a major symbol in the novel. When Holden watches Phoebe on the carousel, he feels truly happy, and his enjoyment is similar to that of a parent watching their child. He is getting his first taste of what it is like to be an adult and he is enjoying it so much he doesn’t mind getting soaked in the December rain. The moment that Phoebe reaches for the gold ring signifies the moment that Holden transitions from a child to an adult. In this scene the carousel represents life, the golden ring represents a goal or prize, and Phoebe grabbing for the golden ring represents the chances that children must take in order to grow up. At first, Holden was afraid that Phoebe may fall, but stops himself from doing anything because he understands that children will go for things and he must let them even if they fall. When Holden allows Phoebe to take her chances, he abandons his dream of being the the catcher in the rye and comes to accept adulthood. Stopped here
The character of Holden Caulifield is an adolescent boy of Sixteen years who is Six foot two and a half and has a patch of grey hair on the right side of his head. He is deeply intelligent but masks it publicly with his childish actions and vulgar humor. He is alienated, lonely, sad, and afraid to go home until the date his parents expect him. Holden roams New York City seeking comfort and understanding from past friends and acquaintances, from strangers, and Phoebe. Holden is no better and no worse than any young high school boy; however he is more articulate and honest in his assessments, and is more open with his feelings. He is unmotivated, deeply critical, and afraid of growing up. Throughout the novel he develops from a boy resisting maturity to a young man who accepts life’s harsh realities. The fact that Holden is telling the story may indicate that he is overcoming isolation.
Phoebe Caulifield is Holden’s younger sister that he truly loves. She is extremely smart, pretty, roller saker skinny, and has read hair similar to Allie’s. She likes to write novels that she never finishes about a detective girl, Hazel Weatherfield. Sometimes she is a bit too affectionate for Holden’s liking, but she is usually perceptive and mature. Phoebe is the only sibling that has regular communication with Holden. She is the one person who completely understands Holden. She senses that Holden is depressed and lonesome and comforts him with her jauntiness and vitality. Holden wants to protect Phoebe, and therefore she brings out a belated sense of responsibility in Holden that makes him end his rebellion. She is critical in helping Holden revaluate his perception of the world.
Jane Gallagher and Holden met in the summer of 1948 when her family and Holden’s were neighbors at a summer resort in Maine. All summer they played golf, tennis, checkers and went to the movies. Although she and Holden never actually dated, Holden feels tremendous respect and affection for Jane, he holds her up as a pure and spotless person, and she is constantly in his thoughts and memories. Holden describes her as having a terrific figure and personality. According to Holden, Jane reads good books and never uses her Kings while playing chess. She brings out a deep fondness in Holden, similar to what he feels for his dead brother and for Phoebe (1,9).
Ward Stradlater is Holden’s egocentric roommate whose attitude and personality remain the same throughout the novel. He is the wealthiest, best looking, and most popular student at pencey prep. Holden admires him, but also dislikes him because he considers him a phoney. He looks well groomed on the outside but is secretly a slob who drives Holden crazy. Holden can’t identify with him on a good friendship level, but Holden realizes at the end of the novel that he enjoys Stradlater’s company.
Robert Ackley is Holden’s dorm neighbor who Holden describes as having a misanthropic personality, a face full of pimples, and mossy teeth. He is always coming into Holden’s room and taking his stuff or leaving it places. He is ostracized by most people at Pencey Prep. Even though Holden dislikes his personality, he feels sorry for him and invites him to go out of town with him on his last night at Pencey. However. Holden likes the fact that Ackley is genuine and not a phony, unlike Stradlater.
D.B. Caulifield is Holden’s older brother who is employed as a scriptwriter in Hollywood. D.B. lives a materialistic lifestyle; high paying position, expensive car, commercial success in Hollywood, and because of this he represents the superficial values that Holden dislikes. Holden respected D.B more before he was employed in Hollywood, and feels that D.B prostituted his gifts for the sale of making easy money.
One theme that is evident throughout the novel is the theme of innocence. Jeff Pettineo says, “Holden is confused, angered, and frightened by the adult world, a world obsessed with status, wealth, and sex” (25,1). Holden’s goal in life is to stop children from gaining knowledge about these evils of the adult world in order to preserve their innocence. However, Holden begins to realize that it is impossible to stay innocent in the real world, and that believing that all children are innocent is a myth. Children are often far more aware of the truth of their surroundings than they are given credit for. Holden realizes that although he wants to protect children’s innocence, he must allow them to experience their life, and that this inevitable fall is a necessary part of life.
The theme that prevails throughout the novel is the theme of Hypocrisy. Phoniness seems to be the source of much of Holden’s dissatisfaction with the world around him. Holden considers a person a phony if he/she lacks authenticity in the adult society. For example, Holden considers Ernie phony because he bows at the end of his piano performances as if he were humble and Holden assumes that Ernie is just the type of guy that would only associate with celebrities. He also considers Mr. Haas a phony because Mr. Haas would not associate with, in Holden’s words, “little old funny looking parents” (13, 2). Holden sets himself apart from this and takes pride in not participating in the hypocrisies. However, Christine Kerr explains that “there are also inconsistencies in Holden’s behavior that raise doubts as to whether he can elude phoniness completely” (6, 2). Kerr also says, “In many situations, the offensive behavior that he accuses other people of, such as being superficial, pompous, or insecure, is behavior that he has implicated in himself” (6, 4).
Holden is constantly preoccupied with death. Holden writes about Allie’s baseball mitt and details his love for his brother in addition to the negative effect the death had on him. Allie’s early death has left Holden frozen in time as an innocent and pure boy and shows how nothing stays constant. In addition to worrying about Allie, Holden worries about the ducks freezing in the winter, the Egyptian mummies, and his own death. Holden even cries to Allie to not let him disappear, symbolizing Holden’s wish to make a difference and to not lose what little of himself he has. Holden wants to save children from the transition to adulthood because he views this change as a kind of death.
Holden’s story is full of deceitfulness and lies. Christine Kerr even says, that Holden is “the most terrific liar you have ever saw in your life” (6,3). For example, Holden meets Ernest Morrows’ mother on a bus. Holden lies to her about his name, his purpose for leaving school, and about her son’s popularity. Holden indicates his lies are motivated by various goals: may want to escape a situation, avoid awkwardness, or make himself more interesting/appealing. Kerr also says that Holden “desperately wants relationships with other people but is uncomfortable with intimate situations of all kinds” (6.2-3). He often tries to get close to someone then pushes him/her away, such as when he invites Sally for a date, then pushes her away when they have a disagreement. Holden does eventually realize that his small lies are wrong. He is often deceiving himself because he is lying to himself, and making himself as something that he is not. For example, Holden later realizes that he was deceiving himself when he declared his love for Sally, and even said that it was a lie.
Salinger, through his great use of characters, symbols, and themes, has been praised by the literate American youth and the critical establishment, and is a classic of young adult fiction. The fact that Salinger’s one and only novel has been sold steadily since publication and still generates high sales and intense discussion is astounding. Salinger’s unrelenting popularity has continued since the early 1950’s. More has been written about Salinger than any other post war author. His reputation has also been aided by his refusal to give interviews. There are also many similarities between Salinger’s The Catcher in The Rye and Twain’s famous novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The main characters are incredibly similar, as well as the personally descriptive language, and the portrayal of perplexed, sensitive, adolescence, which has also aided the novel’s popularity.
As well as having an immediate impact on literature, The Catcher in the Rye, as Leon Lewis says, “Captured the angst of the post- World War II generation whose distrust of official versions of anything contributed to the concept of the outsider as hero” (7, 212). It has been cited as the most read and influential postwar novels. The alienation of the beatnik, the hipster, and the drop out of the next decades are foreshadowed by Holden’s stance and attitude. Also, the novel has been translated into many languages and has been highly successful in each. In Russia, possession of a copy of The Catcher in the Rye is considered a status symbol for young intellectuals. The novel has been a favorite of censors since its publication who think the obscene language hides the novel’s themes and lessons. In 1960, an English teacher was fired for assigning the book to an eleventh grade class because the novel was deemed anti-white, and was banned by many schools and libraries. This disappointed Salinger because, in his words, “all my best friends are children. It’s almost unbearable for me to realize that my book will be kept on a shelf out of their reach” (24, 1). However, the language makes the novel seem more realistic, as this was how sixteen year old boys spoke at the time. Holden has become a symbol of adolescent angst and introduced many slang expressions.