ntly despises, but at the same time almost respects him. Even his teachers dont really like him. They have written him off as a slacker or a student who would do well if he simply applied himself. Hes in a terrible position, he receives no sympathy from anybody. All the boy needs is a little caring and understanding. He feels that no one understands him, so he just closes up and doesnt let anyone befriend him or get to know him. In the end, he seems to accept the fact that he is doomed to be alienated. 4Finally, it seems that Holden also literally wants to be the catcher in the rye. He wants to save all things that are good and innocent. He wants to make sure that his sister Phoebe never becomes jaded and phony. The way he explains it, he sounds like an innocent little boy with a dream that consumes his heart. He says that he pictures little kids playing some game in this big field of rye with no older person, such as a parent, to supervise. He stands on the edge of a crazy cliff and catches anyone if they start to go over the edge. 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. (p. 173) Holden seems to hold very strong conviction in this dream. He never seems to be serious about anything, and brushes off school as unimportant. He has a who cares? attitude. Hes decisively opinionated and cynical. Although he does have righteous ambitions, they are in a sense childish dreams as well. J. D. Salingers Catcher in the Rye displays the typical teenage alienation and depression. Salingers novel discusses Holdens stand against phoniness. Another major theme running through this novel is self-loathing, and while it may not be quite that extreme in all cases, most teenagers go through the awkward stage. Loneliness is also expressed in the novel. Many teens feel alone in the sense that nobody seems to understand th...
