The Tragedy of Holden Caulfield Is That He Cannot Accept the Adult World He Is Too Old to Continue the Innocent Life of a Child
The main concern of the novel The Catcher in the Rye is not only that the protagonist is trapped between childhood and adulthood, but also the alienation and regression caused by grief when the sufferer does not address their loss properly. Holden Caulfield's nervous breakdown is largely due to the death of his younger brother. It is because of this that he fears change and maturity so much, specifically the loss of innocence. Holden cannot accept the complexities of the world; instead, he uses "phoniness" of as an excuse to withdraw into the world of children.
Holden has experienced two great traumas connected with death. First, he has lost a loved and valued sibling, Allie. Secondly, he has witnessed the suicide of his classmate. Although he did not know the latter well, it is because has not come to terms with Allie's death that this loss is so painful. It is Allie's death that has contributed most to Holden's fragile mental state. Since he could not attend Allie's funeral, he finds it hard to grieve. Research suggests that a ceremonial farewell plays an integral part in coping with loss. Holden has not yet let Allie go. Like the parent who keeps their child's room as they left it, he carries Allie's baseball mitt with him. When Phoebe asks Holden what he likes and when he is walking around New York, it is revealed that he cannot even acknowledge that Allie is indeed dead. Holden experiences many things typical of someone who is grieving. At various stages of the novel, he experiences panic, guilt and hostility, all of which are symptomatic of a grieving person. Holden's return to sanity and normal life is largely due to his realisation that maturation and loss of innocence, like change, is necessary and unavoidable.
One of the recurring themes of The Catcher in the Rye is the difficulties experienced during adolescence. For Holden, it is particularly problematic. He feels a great desire to preserve his innocence partly because Allie never fulfilled
Holden has experienced two great traumas connected with death. First, he has lost a loved and valued sibling, Allie. Secondly, he has witnessed the suicide of his classmate. Although he did not know the latter well, it is because has not come to terms with Allie's death that this loss is so painful. It is Allie's death that has contributed most to Holden's fragile mental state. Since he could not attend Allie's funeral, he finds it hard to grieve. Research suggests that a ceremonial farewell plays an integral part in coping with loss. Holden has not yet let Allie go. Like the parent who keeps their child's room as they left it, he carries Allie's baseball mitt with him. When Phoebe asks Holden what he likes and when he is walking around New York, it is revealed that he cannot even acknowledge that Allie is indeed dead. Holden experiences many things typical of someone who is grieving. At various stages of the novel, he experiences panic, guilt and hostility, all of which are symptomatic of a grieving person. Holden's return to sanity and normal life is largely due to his realisation that maturation and loss of innocence, like change, is necessary and unavoidable.
One of the recurring themes of The Catcher in the Rye is the difficulties experienced during adolescence. For Holden, it is particularly problematic. He feels a great desire to preserve his innocence partly because Allie never fulfilled
Bibliography: • Salinger J.D. The Catcher in the Rye Penguin Books Suffolk 1973 • Miller, J E Grief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Grief online at http://www.willowgreen.com/cust_AdviceDisplay.asp?TextTypeID=32&List=Grief • Trickle, G. Stages of Dealing with Grief 2001 online at http://fl.essortment.com/stagesgrief_rbdm.htm • Sparknotes online at www.sparknotes.com/catcher