What Is The Catcher In The Rye Loss Of Innocence

Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield, in the book Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, goes through many changes as far as his ideas on innocence and the preservation of it. He begins his stay in New York as a confused, cynical teenager and transforms himself into a young adult that is prepared for the world ahead of him. Holden's first day, or rather night, in New York City was one of confusion and sadness. He begins his eventful night by checking into a hotel, where he then sees a drag queen, dressing into women's clothing. He then peers into another room and sees two people spitting a drink on each other, he notes that “The hotel was lousy with perverts. I was probably the only normal bastard in the place” ( Salinger 62 ). The antihero then proceeds to go to a bar with one goal in mind, to get drunk. The bartender there, unfortunately for Holden, checked for his ID. Since Holden couldn't drink, he “Started giving the three old witches at the next table the eye again.” ( 70 ). Holden, however, doesn't get any luck that night and the “three witches” leave. After having a little bit more fun in the night, Holden goes back to his hotel. The 60 year old bellhop, Maurice, …show more content…
The idea of Holden wanting to preserve innocence shines through the most when he hangs up Sunny’s dress. It reads, “I thought of her going in a store and buying it, and nobody in the store knowing she was a prostitute and all. The salesmen probably just thought she was a regular girl when she bought it. It made me feel sad as hell - I don't know why exactly” ( 96 ). Here Holden sees how Sunny has no innocence left and that her life is caught up in what she does. He wishes she wouldn't have lost her innocence or that he could have helped her hold onto