Pursuit of Lost Innocence
Holden’s idealized view of the world in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger embodies the danger of unrealistic expectations paired with the immense insecurities and privileges that come with upper-class teenage life in the 1950s. Holden’s idealism harms not only himself but the others around him. His expectation of what is supposed to be perfect—innocent, uncorrupt, and pure—causes him to lash out against individuals, such as Stradlater, who threaten his view of what a perfect world is supposed to be. Additionally, Holden’s unrealistic standards for women and his expectations for how they should behave give rise to situations that cause extensive emotional distress to others around him. By presenting the story through Holden’s romanticized perspective, Salinger uses Holden as an instrument to convey the depth of mental illness surrounding the aftermath of World War II. In context, Salinger’s experience as a World War II veteran allows him to understand the extent of mental illness during and after the war. Holden, like many others in the story, is characterized by intense trauma and conflict. Holden is still trapped in the past after his loss of Allie, whom he associates with innocence and purity. His reverence for innocence prevents him from growing and keeps him stuck in the past, as he rejects the notion of adulthood. In addition to depicting the dangers of delusions in conjunction with a fixed mindset, Holden’s character serves to showcase Salinger’s portrayal of the societal damage caused by World War II. By illustrating Holden as a traumatized character with intense idealized views of the world, Salinger symbolizes the wounded state of post-war society and conveys the novel’s central message about the dangers of clinging to delusions and resisting growth.
From the outset of the novel, readers are introduced to Holden’s idealized and privileged way of thinking. His disapproval of his surroundings is especially evident when considering his time at Pencey Preparatory School. Holden’s constant criticism of the world around him reflects his persistent idealism and judgment of what he perceives as corrupt or impure. His contempt for Pencey Preparatory School symbolizes his black-and-white view of what is right and wrong. Holden describes the wealthy boarding school as an ostentatious school that exists only to enhance the status and reputation of the school staff and students. He openly mocks the school from the moment he arrives to when he leaves, stating that the school’s notoriety is not any more spectacular than any other normal school. This early portrayal of Pencey through Holden’s eyes elucidates his values. Holden views conventional, popular culture as phony and corrupt. He looks down on what is considered to be a privileged way of life. As a result, Holden’s idealism can often lead to numerous negative consequences for himself and the people around him. His negative criticism stems from his unrealistic standards, expectations which few meet. Later in the novel, Holden’s aversion to Pencey Prep and his refusal to conform to societal expectations result in his expulsion. Furthermore, his idealized notions of innocence and purity, particularly discernible in his reaction to Jane Gallagher’s date with Stradlater, exacerbate his emotional struggles and prolong his detachment from reality.
To clarify, Jane Gallagher is Holden’s childhood friend and crush. Her pure and modest nature are traits Holden holds in high esteem and prove the intensity of his idealism. Holden craves the innocence of childhood, largely due to the grief he feels over losing his brother, Allie. He resists growing up and yearns to return to that simpler time. Jane’s role in the novel highlights Holden’s linear, rigid view of innocence. Jane represents Holden’s innermost desires for purity and modesty, which he feels are jeopardized by Stradlater’s interest in her. Unable to confront his fear of growing up directly, Holden attempts to assert control by attacking Stradlater. However, his effort fails and he is severely beaten, worsening his feelings of insecurity and low self-worth. This causes him to run away from Pencey, motivated by both shame and his struggles to fit into society. The negative impact of Holden’s idealism is depicted through his pursuit of innocence and his inability to uphold that value, which causes him to lash out at people around him and harm himself. Holden’s struggles to fit in with societal standards of living and his persistent chase for innocence illuminates the broader themes of the novel, as a portrayal of the aftermath of World War II. Salinger uses Holden’s journey to reflect on the aftermath of the war, alluding to the psychological scars and the futility of human desire. By rejecting conventional, popular, and desirable forms of living, Holden is a reflection of Salinger’s mental state following the war and his views on society. Additionally, Holden’s numerous dangerous situations spurred by his idealism reveal what Salinger wishes to portray: the dangers of grandeur delusions coupled with insecurity and privilege.
Holden is evidently a privileged character. He attends Pencey Prep, a wealthy boarding school meant to serve societal elites. Additionally, his various encounters with individuals, in which he utilizes money as a way for him to gain advantages, reflect his rich status. Despite his privilege, Holden fails to recognize the benefits he enjoys and instead criticizes those around him for chasing comfort. His dangerous idealizations, combined with his inability to accept the imperfect realities of life, lead to destructive behavior and a deep depression. Holden resorts to various harmful ways of coping, as he is unable to accept the realistic, imperfect realities of life and instead romanticizes naive purity and childlike innocence, something he wishes would translate to almost every aspect of his life. Holden’s harmful coping mechanisms manifest in the form of his alcoholism and his chase for sexual gratification. In New York, his depression, a result of his idealistic standards, is extremely prevalent. Holden turns to heavy drinking and even agrees to spend a night with a prostitute, showcasing the harmful effects of his unrealistic expectations. Holden refuses to accept the corrupt and vain aspects of reality, rejecting notions of popularity and materialism. In New York, Holden encounters his brother’s ex-girlfriend, Lillian Simmons, whom he immediately labels as “strictly a phony” (Salinger 97). His reluctance to engage with her conventional, outgoing demeanor reflects his disdain for status and popularity. Although Lillian shows genuine concern for Holden’s well-being, asking “‘Are you alone, baby?’” (Salinger 97), Holden dismisses her kindness and responds with negativity, a reaction which stems from his insecurities and idealized perceptions of women. Holden not only objectifies Lillian by remarking on her large chest but also downplays her kindness to create a separate reality that aligns with what he believes to be true. Holden’s avoidant tendencies and insecurities trap him in a cycle of self-destruction, where his delusions of grandeur feed into his narcissistic tendencies, hurting himself and those around him. Holden thus conveys the dangers of fantasies in the mind of an insecure and privileged individual. Ironically, while Holden idealizes innocence and purity, he seeks out corruption as a way to cope with the reality that the world is often the opposite of what he imagines, flawed and constantly changing. While in New York, Holden explicitly seeks out sex—a behavior he considers corrupt—as a way to address the inner turmoil he experiences as a consequence of his loneliness and depression. Salinger uses this contradiction to emphasize how Holden’s unrealistic standards only deepen his disillusionment and isolation, emphasizing the danger of clinging to unattainable ideals and rejecting change.
In addition to harming himself, Holden’s obsessive ideal view of the world hurts those around him. In particular, individuals whom he is well acquainted with, such as Sally Hayes and Phoebe Caulfield. Holden’s unrealistic expectations are especially heightened for the women in his life. As a product of his time, Holden often diminishes the importance and role of women, viewing them rather superficially. During his date with Sally, Holden’s romanticization of the world can be plainly seen. He often describes Sally as incredibly gorgeous and attractive to him, despite the fact that she opposes much of his values. Holden begins to lust over Sally in an attempt to quell his loneliness from his idealistic chase for innocence. However, Sally’s refusal of his offer to run away once again brings him back to the unappealing reality of real life and forces him to face his unattainable ideals. This in turn causes him to become extremely insecure and defensive, insulting her and ultimately making her cry. Holden’s interactions with Sally exemplify the harmful consequences of his idealism. His frustration at the flawed aspects of society and his inability to accept life as it is causes him to be incredibly sensitive around others, often resulting in destructive behavior. His mental turmoil shapes not only his own experiences but also affects those who interact with him, as seen by the extreme distress and tears he puts Sally through. In addition, Holden’s perfect vision of the world impacts Phoebe, his sister, and someone he looks up to. Phoebe is an extremely bright girl, who in Holden’s eyes, serves as a perfect example of his idealistic vision. However, despite his love for her and desire to protect her innocence, Holden’s idealism of his own innocence and purity results in immense anguish for Phoebe, who cannot cure her brother’s woes. As Holden continues on his search for innocence, he is visibly disturbed. Holden visits Phoebe’s room in the middle of the night to prevent being caught by his parents and in a crazed confession, admits to his expulsion from Pencey along with his hatred for school and society. Finally, his delusions result in a grand plan for him to run away. He shares this with Phoebe, who becomes reasonably upset. Phoebe goes so far as to skip school to run away with Holden. Salinger illustrates the danger of Holden’s idealistic worldview by showing the effect he has on the people around him. Holden’s struggles with accepting the world as it is and his intense chase for childlike innocence result in the emotional suffering of individuals he loves. Moreover, Holden’s powerlessness in changing the inevitable process of growing up contributes to his insecurities, consequently spurring his feelings of inadequacy and shame. Although Holden holds various privileges as an upper-class teenager, he rejects these benefits and the society that offers them, instead embracing discomfort and pain. Salinger illustrates the disillusion that follows the encounter with reality. Furthermore, Holden’s struggle with finding and protecting innocence within the world symbolizes the setting of post-World War II. Salinger wishes to convey the broken state of society following the war and does so through Holden’s struggle in his chase for purity. Holden’s isolation symbolizes the journey that many veterans go through after the war. His seemingly crazed delusions and his stuck mentality are prevalent aspects of his struggles and reflect the mental struggles of WWII survivors.
Overall, Holden’s actions in The Catcher in the Rye showcase his ideal view of the world. His interactions with others around him and the negative outcomes that come from his idealistic chase show the harmful consequences of his perfectionist vision. Through his character, Salinger demonstrates the danger of grandeur delusions in combination with insecurities and privilege. Additionally, by portraying Holden’s struggles with finding innocence and facing trauma, Salinger shows the dark reality of post-World War II society. His experiences with the loss of his brother Allie paint a vivid scene of the intense psychological struggles of those who experienced the war and also show how his senseless chase for purity can result in damage to himself and others around him.
Works Cited
Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1951. Print.