'The Catcher in the Rye' Effect

Catcher in the Rye- The title itself comes from the lead character, Holden Caulfield, mistakenly thinking that the Scottish Ballad, (or originally poem, “Comin’ thro’ the rye” by Robert Burns) in fact had lyrics which went “Should a body catch a body, coming through the rye”. Whereas, the actual lyrics were, “Should a body meet a body, coming through the rye.”

Written in the distinct dialect of the youth in America back in the 1950s, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger, captures life as seen and experienced by its anti-hero, Holden Caulfield.

The story is a narrative in the first person, as told by Holden himself. From start to finish it envelops the reader in the, more often than not, downs than ups of his existence.

It definitely does not make for very easy reading, but in a way that’s where I found the interest and intrigue to lie.

A young boy in conflict with practically every emotion he feels or person he encounters, endlessly searching for anything that isn’t, what he calls, “phony”.

This is an extremely thought-provoking read, and it makes you wonder about so many different things. Things we probably often think about, in a fleeting moment and then pay no attention to, offering our easy disregard instead.

It makes you wonder about ourselves- as human beings.

Are we all show-pieces, constantly show-casing ourselves?

Bordering on corny fakeness?

Are we all just living, unconsciously, for the occasional tender moments we spend with the people we truly love?

What do we really think of God and different religions? Really.

Holden, as he engages you in incidents that occur or have occurred as a result of the, often hasty, decisions he makes, opens a window to the world of a person on the verge of depression. It illustrates, in a way, the strength of our humaneness despite the state of mind or body we may be suffering through. And above all, it provides a sense of comfort to read and see that in all our loneliness and in all the rejection we may have to face from the world, there will still be people who care. Good people we love, who will love us back. We must always keep them close, because when our world falls apart, they hold the power to make it, if not entirely, partially whole again.

*Incidentally I’m on a John Mayer high (with the new album and all) and one of the latest songs by him is “war of my life”. It just struck a chord (literally) considering I was reading this particular book. Give it a listen! Good stuff.