The Catcher in the Rye 6

"The Catcher in the Rye"

By: J.D. Salinger

"I'd just be a catcher in the rye and all (173)." In being faced with the task and thought of the future, Holden must embrace the idea that without an education, he must find other ways to make a means for himself. By thinking of prospects, he must also gain understanding of himself and why education does not fit his beliefs. In looking at such ideas, Holden realizes that in searching for a future, he must take action without seeking recognition, but good.

"If a body meet a body, comin' through the rye (173)." This phrase from a song and poem by Robert Burns is repeated twice throughout the novel and once as the title of the novel itself. It is this phrase that serves as the most stressed symbol of the novel and which inspires Holden and gives him understanding of himself. For, he realizes that he wants to someday be the catcher in the rye who saves children from going over a cliff. This is significant as it connects once more to the theme of children and adults. For, Holden sees helping youth by saving them when no one sees as true acts of goodness that escape any and all phoniness. This idea is the focus of the song which analyzes action in private versus that in the public eye. In Holden's view, he believes he should live in the shadows to save children before they are corrupted by the knowledge of adulthood.