The Catcher in the Rye: Week Two

Just finished the book, and it took a while for it to really sink in. At first, I disliked the ending. It seemed as if it was a weak way for the author to put an end to it. The book makes no sense if you cannot find the deeper meaning in it. At first glance, Holden appears to be a troubled, naive boy, who thinks of everyone as simplified, shallow figures who don't represent much (phonies). As one delves deeper into the novel, it becomes apparent that Holden has a huge fear of commitment to anything and is extremely afraid of going through the transition into adulthood.

Going back into the novel, a scene that struck me as odd was the one with Holden and the prostitute. He at first hires her, and she comes to his room. But, he has extreme intimacy issues, and he expects the experience to be a very romantic one, but he finds out that it is not, and he is deeply upset by it. Another example of intimacy issues was the scene with Mr. Antolini. Even though it was not a romantic scene, Holden became freaked out as soon as Mr. Antolini began 'admiring' him. Personally I don't think it was just out of admiration, but it is largely up to interpretation.

Holden's hunting hat was a symbol that confused me a little. At first it seemed like it was a symbol of Holden's individuality and one of him not being a 'phony.' But, Holden seems to be a phony himself because he does like like to wear it in public or around people he knows.

Another of the main scenes that stuck out to me throughout the novel was the one where Holden returns home to speak to phoebe. She asks him what he wishes to do with his life, and he replies by describing a vivid scene where children are playing and singing. They do not realize that they are about to fall off the edge, and Holden only wants to 'catch' them before they fall. To me, this is a metaphor describing how Holden wants to stop children from evolving into adulthood, and keep them in the stage of childhood innocence that he is afraid to move out of.

Then, at the end of the novel, Holden takes Phoebe near a carousel. She asks Holden to come on the carousel as well, but doesn't. He adds a cute little symbolic note about how Phoebe wanted to catch the gold rings, and she might fall. But, even if she has a good chance of falling, he had to let her go for it. To me, this symbolizes how he has to let her, and the other children who he wishes to protect grow up.