The catcher in the Rye

If you have ever lied to a stranger in train, bus or flight or just twisted your truth a little in order to avoid a banal conversation taking an uncomfortable or unwanted turn.. Because you thought they wouldn't understand anyway...... then The catcher in the Rye is a book you cannot afford to miss.

Holden Caulfield is a young  pr-

-otagonist of this wonderfully written novel. Through his character writer has portrayed what a complex creation an individual is and how weird at times our own existence might seem when seen from a child’s eye.

Holden feels alienated and confused at the way world around him is constructed, convoluted; he seeks refuge in children younger to him. It is clear throughout the narrative that for him, adults are corrupted and only purity lies with children.

The entire book’s story takes place within a span of just four days, and yet so minutely has the author taken us through those four days that by the time we end the book it seems we have known Holden, Phoebe, DB, Ally, Ackely, Stradlater, jane and Mr. Antolini for years.

Another very striking feature of this book is that somehow, character of Holden, despite all its limitations as an individual, inspires a lot of sympathy in minds of readers. So far as confused yet compassionate and adorable protagonists are concerned, Holden from the Catcher in the rye is probably at par with Hamlet.... perhaps Holdens of the world outnumber Hamlets by fair margin.

The fact that he is suffering from some sort of mental imbalance, which is visible through conduct and opinions but intractable medicinally, perhaps makes readers relate with him, because secretly it reflects some of our own deepest conflicts and complex dilemmas.

The other prominent theme of this novel is constructed by Holden’s attitude towards sex. More than half of the story, he tries to lose his virginity, in fact more than once he comes closer to it however fails to make the cut in the end.  He later takes solace in the banal expression, repeated countless times in the novel “one has to be in right mood” for such things! He is unable to hold two conflicting ideas that revolve around sexuality – one that of romantic love that is built on care and respect and the other involving kinky fantasies for one’s partner. Little does the Holden know at the time, perhaps, that this was merely starting of a life-long dilemma we all face as adults!!

Bitterness that Holden has towards the rest of the world is in part really the bitterness he feels for his advancing age, moving life and its fickleness.  His frantic search for permanence is not only childish; it is also misplaced – miserably. And this gives a rather cantankerous and immature character a tragic touch which is a hallmark of adult lives.

The book stands out for its impeccable narrative, compact storyline and powerful characters. Some other most powerful events, such as the record bought by Holden for Phoebe, his deceased brother Ally’s baseball glove with lots of poems written on it, suicide of one of his schoolmates, visit to museum and Holden’s opinion for his elder brother DB add a classic sub-plot to the entire story and keeps readers engaged.

The fact that Holden HOLDs on to his childhood even while the world around him is trying to grow him into an adult brings out a fascinating story which is highly recommended reading for anyone interested to understand oneself a little better!!Top of Form