How Does Holden Misinterpretation Of The Catcher In The Rye

I would like to discuss how Holden’s misinterpretation of the

Robert Burns poem, “Coming Through the Rye”, sums up his deepest desires by taking a journey through his troubled adolescence and his journey to self–discovery that results in his breakdown. According to Phoebe, the original line in the poem is “if a body meet a body”. However, Holden’s misinterpretation of “if a body catch a body” removes all sexual connotations from the original poem.

Holden is a deeply disturbed adolescent in search of a way to preserve his childhood innocence. His “red hunting cap” is a symbol of his uniqueness and his rejection to conform to society. His constant fear of loneliness is invoked by his hostile attitude as he displayed on his date

Page 38 is a typical example of how Holden values the qualities of purity and innocence. He attempts to throw a snowball against a car and fire hydrant, but quickly refrains from doing so, “the fact that he does not throw the snowball is “an attempt to preserve innocence (graham 2007:39). I strongly agree with this statement, as Holden’s fear of change is highlighted throughout the novel, which in turn paints a clear picture to the reader of Holden’s deepest desire, which is to preserve the innocence of childhood that gets hopelessly lost in the“phony” world of adulthood. Holden’s constant referral to adults as being “phony” is rather ironic as he says that one

“wouldn’t” know If one was “being phony” this clearly means that he himself does not realize weather or not he himself is phony. Holden’s life went through a major change at the age of 13 when his younger brother, Allie lost his battle to Leukemia.

Holden fondly speaks of his red headed brother in the

This clearly depicts that his parents were aware of his mental state. His fear of change leads to his infatuation with the ducks in the park and the concern of what happens to them during the winter months. His concern for the ducks is so overwhelming that he takes a trip down to the lake while intoxicated in search of them (pg166).

The climax is reached in the second last chapter of the novel.

Holden reaches his lowest state of depression when he spends the night at Grand Central Station. The following statement is a clear indication of this, “and I think I was more depressed than I ever was in my whole life” (pg209) - proves his demise into total depression. I strongly believe that at this stage, Holden has reached breaking point.

So, to conclude, I contend that Holden’s version of the poem sums up his deepest desire which is to preserve the innocence and purity of childhood. Things that don’t change give’s him a sense of comfort and security. What Holden eventually realizes is his powerlessness, and that growing