Catcher and the Rye

A Body Catch A Body Coming Through The Rye
In the Novel, The Cather and the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, the main character, Holden Caulfield wants to be a “catcher.” His dream is to be the only big person around in a rye field on a cliff and save children playing in the rye field from falling off the cliff. A person who strives for this occupation would seem to be mature, calm and responsible. However, Holden is none of these, he is the opposite. Holden fears the responsibility that comes with growing up, alienates himself for self-protection, and is frustrated with the phoniness of the adult world. Holden’s emotions seem to be extreme, but these same feelings are portrayed in many songs, including “Dream On” by Aerosmith, “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne and “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance.
Holden runs from the responsibility that comes with growing up. Resisting change is his main goal. This becomes clear in the Natural History Museum, when Holden longs for the world to be easy to understand and unchanging like the Indians and Eskimos in the exhibit. Holden tries to hide his fear but shows his concern when he says, “sex is something I just don’t do, I swear to God I don’t.”(Pg. 63). Holden fantasizes about a world of childhood innocence without the complexities and responsibilities that come with adulthood. Holden cannot handle the responsibilities that come with most adult behaviors. This same concept of dreading growing up is demonstrated in the song, “Dream On” by Aerosmith. “Everytime we look in the mirror these lines on our face get clearer,”(Dream On-Aerosmith). Aerosmith illustrates unwillingness to grow up and the burdens of the adult world. Similar to Holden, they seem to be pining for an unchanging world like in the Natural History Museum.
Holden seems to be victimized by the world around him but in reality he separates himself from everyone. For example, he appears to wear his red hunting hat as a symbol of uniqueness but he is really alienating...