Catcher In The Rye Title Analysis

The Catcher in the Rye introduces a troubled teenager, Holden Caulfield, who sees the adult world and growing negatively. Using tone, symbolism, and the meaning of the title to J.D Salinger shows the difficulty of growing into adulthood and having to deal with its complexities and the inability of preserving the innocence of a child. This is because Holden does not seem to want to join the phony adult world, and he tries to avoid it. He mentions he wants to live on farms and in New England cabins, where he can do as he pleases and no judgement. Salinger makes Holden very protective of his younger siblings, seeming to be the only thing he values and cherishes positively. Salinger reveals a depressing and dark tone, by having the main character interpret the positive things in life and simply giving them another doleful meaning.” Holden gives the often optimistic expression of “good luck” a rather negative …show more content…
On the 22nd chapter of the novel, Holden himself says he wants to become the “catcher in the rye and all”(191). He wants to keep everyone from falling if they “start to go over the cliff”(191). The title symbolizes that Holden wants to keep the innocence of every child and keep them from falling off into adulthood. If he can save them, they will forever be the light in the dark. During the entire book, Holden Caulfield’s only blissful parts are about his siblings, Phoebe and Allie. To him, his future does not seem so bright, and he’s having a difficult time finding what suits him best. Entering adulthood was not full of enjoyment, that was easily adaptable to, and lead him in the wrong direction. Phoebe’s passion for life is so strong, Holden does not want that to go away. In a sense, by being around Phoebe, he can be her guardian and to save himself and other children from having to one day grow