The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the RyeIn The Catcher in the Rye, Holden views the world as an evil and corrupt place where there is no peace. This perception of the world
does not change significantly through the novel. However as the novel
progresses, Holden gradually comes to the realization that he is
powerless to change this.
During the short period of Holden's life covered in this book,
"Holden does succeed in making us perceive that the world is crazy".1
Shortly after Holden leaves Pencey Prep he checks in to the Edmont
Hotel. This is where Holden's turmoil begins. Holden spends the
following evening in this hotel which was "full of perverts and
morons. (There were) screwballs all over the place."2 His situation
only deteriorates from this point on as the more he looks around this
world, the more depressing life seems.
Around every corner Holden sees evil. He looks out on a world
which appears completely immoral and unscrupulous. The three days we
learn of from the novel place a distressed Holden in the vicinity of
Manhattan. The city is decked with decorations and holiday splendor,
yet, much to Holden's despair "seldom yields any occasions of peace,
charity or even genuine merriment."3 Holden is surrounded by what he
views as drunks, perverts, morons and screwballs. These convictions
which Holden holds waver very momentarily during only one particular
scene in the book. The scene is that with Mr. Antolini. After Mr.
Antolini patted Holden on the head while he was sleeping, Holden
jumped up and ran out thinking that Mr. Antolini was a pervert as
well. This is the only time during the novel where Holden thinks twice
about considering someone as a pervert. After reviewing Mr. Antolini,
Holden finally concludes that maybe he wasn't making a "flitty" pass
at him. Maybe he just like patting guys heads as they sleep. This is
really the only time in the novel where Holden actually considers a
positive side. This event does not constitute a significant change. As
Holden himself says, "It's not too bad when the sun's out, but the sun
only comes out when it feels like coming out."4 The sun of course is a
reference to decency through the common association of light
and goodness. His perception of the world remains the same.
The one conviction that does change during the novel is Holden's
belief that he can change the world. On his date with Sally, Holden
reveals his feelings. "Did you ever get fed up?... I mean did you ever
get scared that everything was going to go lousy unless you did
something..."5 Holden goes through several plans. Holden at one point
contemplates heading out west where he will pretend to be a deaf-mute
and live a quiet life. At another point Holden proposes to Sally to
escape this world with him. It is finally to his younger sister Phoebe
that Holden reveals his ultimate plan. Although Holden...
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