Dealing with Death

Throughout The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the idea of death is very prevalent. Their are many deaths that occur or that are talked about throughout the course of the novel. But, there is one death in particular that has a lasting impact throughout the novel. The death of Holden's brother Allie is talked about greatly. Dealing with his death was a major part of the novel. Many people deal with death in different ways. Some people like to get rid of things that remind them of those who have passed in order to grief, others hold onto the things that remind us of them. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden hold on to what reminds him of his brother. He keeps Allie's mitt. Not only is the mitt important to him because it was physically his brother's but it also had poems on it that allowed him to feel his presence when he was reading them. At one point in the novel, Phoebe and Holden get into a disagreement over their brother Allie. Holden begins talking about how even though Allie is gone that he still loves him. He says "Just because somebody's dead, you don't just stop liking them, for God's sake--especially if they were about a thousand times nicer than the people you know that're alive and all" (Salinger, 171). I think that Salinger was trying to make a point to society when he wrote this. I think that we should remember the good in those who have passed and how they have positively impacted us. Gone but not forgotten is the way that we should think about death in our society today, just as Holden did in The Catcher in the Rye. 

Phoebe

In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, there are many minor characters that influence the novel. One character in particular that influenced the novel was Holden's sister Phoebe. Often times throughout the course of the novel, Holden thought back to Phoebe. He often mentioned wanted to talk to Phoebe about things that were going on in his life. One night when he was drunk and wanted to talk, Holden states, "I couldn't get that off my mind... I figured I'd better sneak home and see her" (Salinger, 156). Holden's relationship with Phoebe is not only a brother and sister relationship, but its also a best friend relationship. Holden feels that Phoebe has and will always be there for him. Phoebe became a major influence on Holden at one particular point in the novel. Instead of sympathizing with Holden's reluctance to grow up, she becomes angry at him. Even though she is six year younger than him, she realizes the importance of growing up. By getting angry with Holden instead of agreeing with him, she helps Holden face the realization that at one point or another in his life he is going to have to grow up and embrace his adulthood. 

Old

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the character of Holden uses the world "Old" quite frequently. I noticed that throughout the course of the novel, Holden refers to multiple people as Old. He does not do this is a negative way, as of in age, but he does it as a title for them. For example, Holden refers to someone as old two sentences in a row. He states, "Old Brossard was a bridge fiend... Old Ackley parked himself in my room" (Salinger, 48). Holden not only refers to people older than him as "Old", but he also does it to people that are the same age as him. Two examples of this would be Brossard and Ackley. Both of those characters are nearly or the exact same age as him. I think that Holden does this as a way of holding onto his childhood. I believe he likes to call others old because it allows him to feel young. Holden spends a lot of the novel grasping on to his childhood. By referring to people as old in our lives, we are able to feel rejuvenated, just as Holden.

The Museum of Natural History

J.D. Salinger used symbolism throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye. One particular use of symbolism stuck out to me: the Museum of Natural History. In the novel, the Museum of Natural History symbolized the Holden holding on to his childhood. Holden fears the idea of becoming an adult and losing the idea of being a child. Holden states, "Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't be that, exactly. You'd just be different, that's all" (Salinger, 121). Holden begins to imagine what life would be like if everything stayed the same. He imagined staying a child for the rest of his life and living in a predictable world where he knew what was going to happen all the time. He begins to show how he is very reluctant to change. He likes to know what is going on in his life and he likes to keep a consistent routine. But at this point, he shows that  he knows inside that things are going to change. He knows that their will be points in his life that are unpredictable and non-consistent. Holden pictures the museum as a fantasy world. Even though he never goes inside the museum, he was able to so vividly describe it. It shows that he wants to live in a consistent, childhood fantasy world more than anything else.

Money, Money, Money, MONEY

Throughout the course of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden speaks about money. He talks about how money is not a source of happiness, but often times a source of depression and anxiety. Holden states, "money...always ends up making you blue as hell" (Salinger,113). Holden clearly states throughout the course of the novel that he does not care if people have money or not. He also states that he does not like people to know whether he is rich or poor. He doesn't want people to like him for his money, but he wants people to like him for his personality. Holden has learned throughout his life that  people who spend all of their time thinking about their money and trying to impress people with it often end up alone or surrounds by those who do not like them for who they are, rather for how much money they have. Holden has also learned not to judge people for how much money they have. For example, in the novel Holden's roommate becomes self-conscious and concerned about what Holden will think about him because he does not have an expensive suitcase. Rather than judging his roommate, Holden basis his view on his roommate by the way he acts, not because of the quality of his luggage. Just as in The Catcher in the Rye, many people in our society today are too concerned with money and the amount of money that they have. I believe that Salinger was trying to set an example for society when he wrote this novel. I believe that he wants everyone to think of money in the way that Holden does and to care about people based on their personalities, not by the amount of money that they have. I believe that if everyone did had the same views as Holden the world would be a much better place to live in. 

The Story Behind the Title

At this point in the novel, I believe I am beginning to get a glimpse in the meaning of the title The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The first point in the novel that we get a glimpse into the title is when Holden states,  "If a body catch a body coming through the rye" (Salinger, 115). I'm sure that as I continue to read the novel that more of the title will be explained. At this point, I believe that the part of the quote that states "a body catch a body" could symbolize Holden and Allie. I also believe that when it talks about coming through the rye it could symbolize their childhood together. They experienced many adventures during their childhood I would imagine. I am also starting to believe that Allie is the catcher. Considering the fact that he was a catcher for baseball and that he owned the catchers mitt, it can lead us to believe that he is the catcher. But now that he is gone, Holden now owns the catchers mitt. Since Holden owns the mitt now, is the new catcher? After reading this part of the novel, I can not wait to continue the novel and further see what the real meaning is behind the title The Catcher in the Rye. 

Imagery

In the novel The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger, the literary device of imagery is prevalent. From the beginning of the novel to the end, imagery was used. The first place that I saw imagery used was when Holden was standing on top of  the hill. "Anyway, it was December and all and at was cold as witch's teat, especially on top of that stupid hill. I only had on my reversible and no gloves or anything" (Salinger, 7).  The use of imagery was used again when Holden said, "It was so quiet and lonesome out, even though it was Saturday night. I didn't see hardly anyone on the street. Now and then you just saw a man and a girl crossing a street with their arms around each other" (Salinger, 106). Throughout the rest of the novel, Salinger used imagery to allow the reader to really see his vision. By using vivid descriptions through the use of imagery, the reader can really visualize the scene. With the use of imagery, the reader is able to see the world through the eyes of  Holden.