"Catcher in the Rye": Noble Idea or Childish Fancy?
The analysis of the main idea of the novel as reflected in the actions of its principal character.
When reading any book a reader is usually guided by its title. He always presumes the title to be the essence of the book?s content or a hint of something included in it. When I came up with the book of Salinger for the first time, I was an adolescent. I did not understand its title and what is more surprising, I did not understand the message that it conveyed. I was ready to accuse Americans of propagating shallow and banal ideas. I could hardly believe that {The Catcher in the Rye} is regarded as an outstanding work of art which achieved widespread recognition and brought popularity to its author. Only when I began to study English philology and had a chance to read the book once again, did I realise my judgements about {The Catcher in the Rye} were misguided.
I doubt if any of students familiar with American literature do not have a clue about this book. For many young people it has become a Bible, number of people identifying with the main hero is staggering. In most of reviews, summaries on {The Catcher in the Rye }the book is described as a story about growing up, about crossing the border between childhood and maturity. The main hero of the story, Holden Caulfield, is the character that personifies all features common for adolescents: naivety, sensivity and opportunism. All these are true about Holden. But the book is not just another coming- of- age novel with usual twists and turns. It is the unique story told by a unique child. It is humorous and witty, but at the same time deeply tragical as it portrays the struggle of a boy to become a man.
The plot begins with Holden?s expulsion from Pencey Prep, the school that was to teach him discipline and provide proper education. At this point, the reader learns that our hero is by no means a typical character. From the very beginning Holden reveals a great dose of criticism. He is rebellious an undisciplined. He does not accept things that happen around him. He does not bother with bad grades, school authorities, mocks his school- mates and adults. On the surface, Holden seems to be a fussy kid who only deserves a slap in his bottom. But at the same time this peculiar human being reveals a strong need to love and to be loved. He turns out to be extremely emotional, sensitive and compassionate. He touches the reader when he addresses his little sister, Phoebe, with affection, speaks about his brother?s baseball mitt or shows concern for some ducks in winter. As if a child Holden is very attached to items, to notions that constitute a part of his sweet childhood. For many readers, this fetishist inclinations make him an immature person, but in case of Holden, judging by appearances is not fair and that kind of evaluation would mean misinterpretation of Salinger?s intention. Creating Holden Caulfield, Salinger created a character that is in many ways universal, but in one way, uncommon and distinctive. Holden is like a mirror that reflects the souls of people being in search of identity and own world. His ethos represents values that by many of us are disregarded and dismissed as a mark of naivete and infantilism. Holden appears as an advocate of honesty, tolerance and natural goodness of mankind. He believes that somewhere there exists a place where he could make his fantasies come true and breathe the pure air, the air not contaminated with hypocrisy and ?phoniness?.
Getting back to the title of the novel, I found it very significant and necessary for the understanding of our hero?s actions. ?Catcher in the Rye? is the phrase taken from a poem by Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Salinger borrows this name from the poem and puts it in the mind of his hero where it gets a new dimension and becomes a kind of motto of Holden?s Caulfield life. When he hears these words from the first time, sung by a little kid, he becomes very enthusiastic about the idea included in the song. In his mind he creates a vision of a big field of rye where kids are running and playing. There is a cliff around the field. Holden imagines he would catch the children if they started to go over the cliff. This is the core of his idea. He wishes to save children from difficulties of the adulthood. He sees himself as a guard of innocence and freedom. His idea is noble, but too idealistic and doomed to failure. It is not possible for one human being to change the face of reality. Reality that is constantly evolving, being favourable only to those who are able to fit it. Holden stands in the opposition, his manifesto is clear. Nevertheless, he is alone against the whole world. He is like Don Quixote fighting with windmills symbolising utopian ideas with no hope to be accomplished.
One question comes to mind in connection with Holden?s resistance against adulthood. Why didn?t he want to grow up? Was that only his opportunism or real intention to communicate something to people? I think the latter. Throughout the book, we can observe Holden? s attempts to communicate with people. All these attempts are unsuccessful. Holden cannot find a confidant for himself. He is misunderstood and treated not quite seriously. The best proof of that is shown in the final stages of the story. Holden ends up at a psychiatrist (!) His behaviour and philosophy are reduced to mental illness. In the eyes of society he functions as an insane person. This is deeply tragical ending as it means that unique ideas are treated as fancies and people who spread them as simpletons. In this way, Holden Caulfield, being one of a kind becomes one of an ordinary. As a spokesman of all those who want to free from abnormal rules governing the contemporary world, he loses an opportunity to express his opinion, his individualism is destroyed by those who do not have a bit of it.
Those who read the book of Salinger with due attention, will recognise the author?s intention. With the help of Holden Caulfield, Salinger wanted to show people that childhood is the best period in our life. Not because it is careless and because children have no worries. It is the time when we have dreams. When we are kids we tend to see only the bright side of things, we live the moment and do not trouble about the future. When we grow up, we lose this childish authenticity, we become blind to the feelings of others thinking only about how to fulfil the demands of reality. Trying to win the rat race, we forget things that are really important: respect, tolerance, love. ?Catcher in the Rye? makes us aware of difficulties that one may encounter facing the adult world. It proves that we are all children and that we should not suppress this childish voice hidden deep inside in our souls. Maybe it is not the best way to survive in the ruthless world. But life is about choosing. There are two ways out: you may conform to the rules imposed on you or remain faithful to your own values. [b]Holden chose the latter and lost his youth. He lost the game named life, but at the same time he maintained dignity and good reputation that he never found in others.[/b]
