The Significance of the title in the Catcher in the Rye

A detailed Summary of The Significance of the title in the Catcher in the Rye

In J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, there are many themes that are perceptible, however the most dominant theme was embedded in the title of the book. This is why in this essay I will address the significance of the title of this book. At the very outset, I will like to state what the title signified. The title established Holden Caulfield, the protagonist's obligations in life, as stated by himself. Holden wished to serve humanity by safeguarding the innocence and purity of children, by protecting them from the evils of life and more directly the dangers of the 'adult' world. There were many instances in this novel when this meaning was supported. After having evaluated these instances the reader was readily able to notice how the title of this book described and/or influenced the protagonists' nature.

The author made a direct reference to the title in Chapter 22, when Holden returned to Phoebe, his younger sister's room just after having sneaked back home in order to seek salvation through her: "I figured I'd better sneak home and see her (Phoebe), in case I died and all." When Phoebe found out that Holden had been expelled from yet another school she became upset and complained that Holden didn't like anything. She asked

him what he would like to be and Holden answered, "I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy." This response to Phoebe's question is essentially the underlining event that explained what the meaning of the title is. This response, by way of symbolism, accorded to Holden his duties as the 'catcher in the rye.' His responsibility to shelter the innocent from falling into the 'adult' world. In which, even the price of a set of luggage is enough to separate school roommates, where ambitions are hollow, and the purpose of school is to gather up sufficient knowledge so that someday one can buy a long, sleek, shiny Cadillac. Briefly, he has to protect the innocent from the shortcomings of the 'adult' world.

Another example that confirmed the gist of the title, was when Holden went to his younger sister Phoebes elementary school in order to talk to her before he left. Anyhow, while he was there he saw the word 'fuck you' written on the walls and "it drove me (him) damn near crazy." He couldn't stand the idea that Phoebe or her friends had seen that written on the wall. If they had seen it they would wonder and eventually "som

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Approximate Word count = 1115
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English