The Catcher in the Rye 7

"The Catcher in the Rye"

By: J.D. Salinger

Emotions are one of the strongest and most powerful forms of expression. Shown through the gentleness of a sweet smile or the painful drips of tears, emotions express true feelings, thoughts, and concerns. Uncontrolled and unlimited, emotions are the most honest form of communication and expression when faced with conflict.

As a character of immense defense mechanisms who protects against any revelations of himself, Holden shows little emotion throughout the novel. Yet, sparingly within the novel, his emotions shine through in the powerful form of tears. For, at least four times within the novel, Holden cries. He cries at the injustices of the world such as theft and lying. Additionally, he cries for the youth of the world who are faced with such injustice and must choose between corruption and positive action. Specifically, he cries because of the generosity and innocence of his sister who helps Holden by giving him all that she has. He additionally cries at her true and genuine love and happiness as he watchers her on the carousel. In watching her he says, "I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth (213)." It is in seeing the happiness expressed through the innocence of youth that Holden experiences true happiness and no longer cries of depression at the corruption of the world. Most influentially, Holden cries over the conflict, the struggle between opposing forces or characters, as he cries for the loss of innocence among youth as they transition into adults. 

The above song, "World Cry," describes someone crying for the problems of the world and struggling to understand why such problems exist. Just as Holden feels, the song expresses confusion on how to live to change such sadness into  the happiness expressed by innocence and youth.